Shian Setting Arc & Aftermath : Celdon's Ascension

[Zyraen]

Update : 28 May 2012

For New Players, just skip to the Last Post

References made are from Campaign Log here :
unboundgames.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1

Items in Bold & Red are Quests still Outstanding / Unresolved.

For easy Reading, without referring to the Background, in rough order of being brought up.

Location Names
Zeychand
West Garrison
Flotsam
Berklin : divided into North, South, East, West Quarters
Black Swell Inn
Spiderhaunt
Alfelios Estate
Dancing Maiden Inn
Kystada Estate
Tomb of Queen Valytha
Blackhart Island

Character Names
Kray
Chadwick
Lord Marlon Merenthis
Greenbeard
Chief Constable Joien Merenthis
Lady Aribeth
Herrold
Alfelios (a family name)
Dakanar Malferon (initially called Dakanar Alfelios)
Keranis
Enethrin Kistarra (Kistarra for short)
Vinarres
Dalanar Malferon
Lt Egen
Lt Caldwick
Althea
Amilio Blackhart
Xyphrenos
Captain Ardon
Duke Galion Merenthis
Imperial Uncle Feldon Shianis
Imperial Uncle Celdon Shianis

Faction Names
Slavers
Red Scorn
Violet Eye

[Zyraen]

Goblins! (0.1 - 0.3)
The Heroes are called upon to assist Capt Haemon of the Zeychand military to escort supply caravans travelling from Zeychand to the West Garrison, where there have been reports of attacks by bandits or such.
The Heroes accompanied the caravan and were attacked by Goblins during the night, but survived the Ambush and managed to arrive safely to Zeychand, before returning back during the day to track down the Goblins that had fled. Following the trail, they entered a ruined Watchtower infested with Goblins and wiped them out. On the way back they were met by some Elves and agreed not to divulge the location of the Watchtower.

Flotsam (1.0 - 1.3)
Returning to Capt Haemon for their Reward, he informed them that Capt Jan of West Garrison was concerned about reports of missing people in Flotsam, a port-village near the West Garrison. Investigating the place, they found press-gangs abducting people into slavery, possibly under the auspices of the tight-lipped village elder Chadwick. The Heroes defeated the slavers but could not stop their halfling rogue leader named Kray from escaping, and rescued some slaves. For their sucess, the elder Chadwick congratulated them for their victory and offered to provide them passage to Berklin to further investigate the Slaver Ring, since they suspected the Slavers were selling people to larger ships in Berklin to serve as galley slaves.
The Heroes delayed the journey for a night, searching Chadwick's house for clues but it turned out fruitless, and running short of time the Heroes decided not to return to Capt Jan for a reward first, but boarded the ship to Berklin the next morning.
On board the ship they met Lord Marlon Merenthis, a Councillor of the Empire who had heard about their success in Flotsam. He offered a merchant contact Merlot in Berklin that they might ask about slaver activities, and asked the Heroes to assist some Elves led by Lady Aribeth near the West Garrison once they were done in Berklin.

Berklin (2.0 - 2.4)
Arriving in Berklin, the Heroes eventually found their way to a Slaver hideout and fought their way in, eventually taking down the dragonborn leader Greenbeard. However, a Wizard that had been using enlarged force daggers and an elusive crossbow Rogue that had been plaguing the Heroes managed to escape out the window of the second floor.
The Heroes eventually found 5 dead slaves in the basement, apparently slaughtered during their short rest, and only one barely alive which they saved with a potion. About the same time Constables arrived to investigate, taking Greenbeard and the rescued slave into custody, but the rescued slave testified against the Heroes, who agreed to be taken peaceably into custody in a cell. They eventually managed to get a key, but instead of sneaking out opted for a confrontational jailbreak, killing 2 Constables in the process and freeing a few other prisoners.
Escaping to the first floor, the Heroes' way was barred by a formation of Constables, that managed to hem them in and defeat them. The two murderous Heroes were executed by the Constables, and the others opted to battle the Chief Constable Joien Merenthis for their freedom. Eventually they managed to get him to admit defeat, and he let them leave while agreeing to investigate the case personally.
The Heroes then went to Lord Marlon Merenthis, convincing him of their innocence, and Lord Merenthis sent them by ship back to Flotsam, for they were still wanted within Berklin. On the way back, their ship was attacked by Sahuagin in a storm and the Heroes won the day by abandoning the crew to grisly deaths, resulting in the ship sinking amidst the storm. The Heroes eventually regrouped on shore, and by the time they reached the West Garrison they found Capt Jan was out on a sortie against orcs. The Heroes barely managed to rescue him from an overwhelming ambush, and were rewarded both for their daring rescue and their earlier success in Flotsam.

Spiderhaunt (3.0 - 3.3)
Since they were near the Elven borders, the Heroes ventured to seek Lady Aribeth, who asked them to investigate some deepening fey energies and a dark influence within the Spiderhaunt area within the elven forest. Following the intensifying fey energies, the Heroes dealt with two trolls before arriving at the source, a spider-infested cave, and though they managed to defeat the spiders they were forced to take a rest in the forest. During the rest, they were visited by a strange druid who sought to end the corruption as well, and offered them a flask to get them past the spiders without harm.
Using the flask, the Heroes entered unattacked by spiders into the subterranean tunnels beneath the caves, and found themselves up against Shadow Hounds and Shadar-Kai warriors. At the heart of the place they found a magically summoned Shadow Dragon guarding a portal and its summoner a Shadar-Kai Witch, which they slew and then claimed an Orb she was using as a focus for the portal ritual.
Returning back to the surface, they found Aribeth a short distance from the cave, demanding the Orb from them. Suspecting trickery, the Heroes refused and found themselves attacked by Shambling Mounds and Will-o-the-Wisps, and by lucky chance defeated "Aribeth", who turned out to be a Green Hag in disguise seeking the power of the Orb. They then had another rest, after which they were attacked by a party of adventurers seeking to track down one of the Heroes.

[Zyraen]

Back on the Trail (4.0 - 4.3)

Returning to Aribeth, the Heroes were rewarded, and though it was suggested that they leave the Orb behind, the Heroes refused. Passing back through the West Garrison, the Heroes found that Lord Marlon Merenthis was present, and he thanked them for their assistance rendered to the Elves, before introducing them to a new young Captain Ardon in the West Garrison.
Then he extended to them a special mission - since they were wanted in Berklin, they could infiltrate some of the underground factions there and hopefully uncover who was behind a plot against the Emperor's life.

The Heroes asked for a reward, whereupon Lord Merenthis said he would consider if there was conclusive proof that they were not involved with Slavers. He then added that he had since got his son Joien to release Herrold the "rescued Slave" back to Flotsam, which he claimed to be his hometown, but suspiciously, Herrold was unfamiliar with Flotsam and could not seem to find his family.
Following the lead Lord Merenthis gave, the Heroes found Herrold and tailed him, back to the same warehouse (see 1.2) where Slavers were apparently setting up operations once more. This time Kray (1.2) reappeared joining the fight, as well as Herrold who revealed himself to be the Rogue that had harried the Heroes in Berklin (2.1). Defeating the Slavers but not capturing Kray nor Herrold, the Heroes returned to Merenthis with more evidence of arranging for slave shipments, and he acknowledged them as innocent. He also wrote them a letter vouching for them as being innocent of Slaver activities, which they may use to remove themselves from being Wanted by the Empire for those deeds.\

Carrying on to investigate Chadwick's involvement, the Heroes were ambushed while searching his home, only this time they managed to capture and kill Herrold, but not before learning from him that the rest of the gang would probably be fleeing to Berklin. They also found clues that Chadwick had fled as well, and Lord Merenthis remained behind to ensure the village would not fall to Slaver influence once more.
Sailing back to Berklin, the Heroes' ship was engaged in a high seas battle by pirates from the Red Scorn, a tiefling faction that apparently were seeking to turn the Heroes in for a reward amongst the underworld.
Arriving in Berklin, the Heroes scoured for clues, receiving a request from a Cleric of Ioun to get an Orb from a noble called Dakanar Alfelios for study. Meantime, while trying to track down a possibly traitorous officer Lt Egen who had leaked information on the caravans to Goblins (see 0.3 / 1.0) , the Heroes were ambushed by a large group of Constables. This time the Heroes killed quite a few of them, including the Head Constable who was a cleric.

[Zyraen]

Joining the Violet Eye (5.0 - 5.4)

Seeing their handiwork, an arcane magic user named Keranis invited the Heroes to work for his organisation the Violet Eye. After sneaking away to raise the slain Cleric, the Heroes met Keranis and were sent to retrieve a large Purple Gem from the the Estate of the Kystada family, whose family head Mirian Kystada was one of only two Magistrates in Berklin. Agreeing to the task and transported magically to the place, the Heroes overcame dangerous construct guardians to eventually make contact and retrieve the Purple Soul Gem, which turned out to be a conduit for a Lady called Enethrin Kistarra, a potent defiler and an ancestor of the Kystada family.
After handing the gem to Keranis, the Heroes were sent to kill a certain Captain Cook in the Black Swell Inn, and just as they had slain him they were ambushed by one of the Kray brothers (see 1.2, 4.0, 4.1) while in the Inn. The arrival of Hero reinforcements drove him away, and as the Heroes left the Inn they realised enemies were lying in wait. Eventually they chose to leave through a backalley, rushing through a gauntlet amidst a rain of crossbow bolts and taking a large amount of damage, yet escaping with their lives.

The Tiefling Spy (6.0 - 6.2)

The next task Keranis set them on was to find a Tiefling called Vinarres from the Red Scorn who had been spying on the Constables' HQ in Berklin's South Quarter, then obtain from him the location of the Tomb of Queen Valytha and kill him. After a brief run-in with some thugs, the Heroes found him liasing with a Head Constable of the South Quarter, and obtained information to the island estate of a Red Scorn tiefling leader called Amillio Blackhart who supposedly knew the Tomb's location.
Despite a needless fight, they realised he seemed to have the interests of the Empire at heart and asked him to go into hiding, while bringing back his cloak to Keranis as proof of killing him. Keranis got the information about the island's location and requested the Heroes finish the job by locating Blackhart. Before that, they took a detour to the Sewers, seeking entrance to the North Quarter of Berklin without alerting the City Guard in order to retrieve the Orb from the wizard Dakanar Malferon residing within the Alfelios' Estate.

Wizard's Tower (7.0 - 7.5)

Breaking into the Afelios' Estate, the Heroes' clumsiness alerted the ground guards and their hounds, but they managed to make their way to the tower within the Estate grounds. There they fought Eladrin Winter Fey led by Dakanar Malferon, who turned out to be the Wizard they had encountered with the Slavers (see 2.1).
Pursuing him upwards past magical creature experiments and a flesh golem in a gruesome lab, they managed to trap him in a Web and Fire Wall while he was trying to use Wraiths against the party. However another Eladrin joined in, who bade the Heroes free his brother in return for the Orb they sought, handing it to the Heroes first before they ended the spells binding Dakanar. Nonetheless the Heroes suddenly attacked again, killing Dakanar and burning him to ashes. His brother Dalanar retaliated in kind, revealing himself as a vampire and slaying one of the murderers on the spot while forcing the party to flee out the window to retreat.
Meantime, the surviving Wraiths had broken free and engaged the Alfelios' guards, multiplying more of themselves with every foe slain. As the Heroes fled they alerted the Temples, and the Military Guards and Constables mobilised to deal with the Wraiths in the dead of the night. The Heroes joined one of the bands of Military, defeating a veritable horde of wraiths and a large Dread Wraith with the help of soldiers led by an elf Lt Egen and a human Lt Caldwick. Meantime, it appears that a special ritual managed to draw the remaining Wraiths in the city back to wherever they came from...

The Island of the Blackharts (8.0 - 8.5)

The officers recognised the Heroes as being wanted, but hearing of their good reputation did not apprehend them, and Heroes were rewarded by a gem from Lt Caldwick, who seemed to be in mourning and eager to return to his hometown. Noting his hometown was Flotsam and his description matched that of the traitorous officer (See 0.3/ 1.0), the Heroes chose not to engage him while he was with with soldiers and fellow officer. Returning through the Sewers to the West Quarter, they could not locate Lt Caldwick on his passage to Flotsam, and sailed for Blackhart Island, almost 2 days since they last spoke to Keranis.
When they arrived they found a village on the Island burning, with both Tiefling and human civilians slaughtered by magical onslaught, and a group of armored tieflings, humans and a bone golem tidying up. Averting hostilities, the Heroes heard that a force of Violet Eye spellcasters had attacked the village, and suspected the force would attack the castle where "Lord" Blackhart presided over the island where humans and tieflings lived in peace.
The Heroes waited until late night, when there were signs of magical attacks upon the back of the castle, before rushing the castle walls, and using Vinarres' name to persuade the guards to let them in to fight against the Violet Eye. Watched carefully, they were obliged to face off against a band of fearsome spellcasters led by a former Party Member called Althea, and eventually prevailed when enemy spells wore out, although Althea escaped.
However, the Heroes were denied the audience they sought with Blackhart when it became known that Vinarres had disappeared a few days ago. Fighting their way in past potent Tiefling warlocks and a puzzling mirror ward, the Heroes eventually came up against Amilio Blackhart who wielded infernal magic in a bid to protect his subjects.
Defeating him, they learnt that the Tomb of Queen Valytha held the Hereditary Seal of the First Emperor of Shian, and despite being the head of the outlawed Red Scorn, Amilio Blackhart seemed determined that the Seal not be used to bring about anarchy, not even for the benefit of the Red Scorn. Assuring him of their honorable intentions to destroy the Seal, the Heroes got Blackhart to tell them the Tomb's location, which was underwater in the sea.
As they left, the vampire Dalanar (see 7.4) appeared with the Purple Soul Gem (see 5.2) mounted on his Staff to slay Blackhart. Though they were ultimately no match for Dalanar, through sheer improbable fortune from the blessing of unknown (dice) Gods, the Heroes managed to hold him off long enough for Blackhart to escape even as Dalanar promised to kill everyone on the island if Blackhart would not surrender himself. Blackhart and the Heroes evacuated as many people off the island as possible onto their ships, before sailing to engage the Violet Eye ship in a cannonfire engagement, eventually sinking it to try to stall Dalanar's departure from the island, and killing Althea in the process.

Tomb of Queen Valytha (9.0 - 9.4)

After depositing Lord Blackhart and his people on mainland, the Heroes returned to Berklin to obtain the Water Breath ritual. On the way back to the docks they noticed an ambush laid by the Kray Brothers (see 1.2, 4.0, 4.1, 5.3, 5.4) and engaged them, this time managing to trap both the Krays and slaying the notorious duo of hired killers.
Arriving to the location of the Tomb, they fought off Sahuagin and a huge Purple Worm underwater to unlock the entrance to the tomb, before being drawn into facing a Lich's puzzle and finally defeating the Lich itself in a deadly battle. Finally they arrived at the Tomb that was guarded by an old Dragonborn called Xyphrenos, and managed to convince him they meant no harm and persuading him to create a fake Hereditary Seal.
However, the location of the Tomb was given away as Dalanar arrived in the form of a mist, though he soon left as the Heroes and Xyphrenos were about to turn hostile. After subduing an overly greedy party member, the Heroes obtained the fake Hereditary Seal from Xyphrenos.
Returning to Berklin they met with Keranis, who looked visibly prepared to haggle on terms. However, a suitable price for the Hereditary Seal could not be agreed upon, causing the meeting to erupt into violence. Though the Heroes were initially disadvantaged by confines of the room, the battle eventually ended in the death of Keranis, albeit after he managed to discreetly murder the unknown Wizard who had been knocked out earlier.

[Zyraen]

Enclosed the Setting background for easy reference.

Attachments:

[Zyraen]

I've added a note in red, under the section Back on the Trail (4.0 - 4.3).
This follows the post where Lord Marlon Merenthis acknowledged the Heroes as innocent. He also gave them a letter.

This is to remind everyone that the Heroes are still Wanted within the Empire, and Berklin. That is why for access from the West & South quarters to the North & East quarters, the Heroes have been using the Sewers.

[Zyraen]

Grasping at the Strands (10.0 - 10.2)

The Heroes returned to Lord Marlon Merenthis with the Hereditary Seal and a better understanding of the Vampire's aims, but with no concrete proof on who was the mastermind or royal link, and no idea how to follow up. Deciding to abort the infiltration plan, Lord Marlon arranged to have their names cleared and asked the Heroes to hurry to the West Garrison to protect Capt Ardon.
However, the Heroes delayed by half a day to sneak into Dalanar's tower in the Alfelios estate during nightfall to find clues. While progressing through the tower, they noticed it seemed to have been "sterilised" of necromantic rituals, as well as some clues whilst escaping from the soul-draining attacks of a new Onyx Soul Gem created for Kistarra, which was placed in the top level of the tower, along with another Vampire Lord guarding the floor.

From the Information gained (details in Information Log for 10.2), it seems that Dalanar sought the Hereditary Seal to have a legitimate claim on the throne of the Shian Empire, and had enough research and knowledge to understand who else would be valid other possible Heirs to the Throne. He was also preparing two vials of vampire blood for some unknown ritual purpose.
Meantime, it seems that Dalanar had defeated Xyphrenos and dislodged him from the Tomb of Queen Valytha. Fortunately Xyphrenos escaped, informing the Heroes that Dalanar may have come in search of something other than the Hereditary Seal, but during his escape Dalanar has likely realised that the Seal held by the Heroes was a fake.

As the Heroes debate what to do next, the night deepens.

[Zyraen]

Reference to the Campaign Log at unboundgames.proboards.com/index.....isplay&thread=4

For New Players, just read this, as the following summary covers events up to Log 13.0.

The Heroes are in service of the king's councillor, Lord Marlon Merenthis, and have been tasked with uncovering a plot against the Emperor of the Shian Empire. Although they uncovered the involvement of a vampire called Dalanar in supporting someone to seize power based on the succession of the throne, they were not able to uncover further details about the plot.

Protecting Ardon (11.0 to 12.4)

The Heroes then had to set aside their precious few leads to protect Captain Ardon, in the process foiling an assassination attempt. Following the assassination, Lord Marlon was placed under arrest in Berklin, and Capt Ardon was summoned by the Commander-General of the Military to the capital Shian City. The Heroes braved many perils and finally managed to escort Ardon safely to his destination.

Regicide in Shian City (13.0 to 13.3)

The Heroes visit Duke Merenthis, who informs them they and himself are under suspicion of leaking information and endangering Ardon the crown prince. They manage to leave the watched Merenthis estate without too much trouble and accompany Ardon to the palace. Wraiths attack during their visit there, and incredibly, they manage to save Ardon once more, but Beldon Shianis the Emperor is slain in the presence of a powerful Wraith Knight, apparently once a spirit wronged by the Emperor during his lifetime. They later learn the Wraith Knight then proceeded to attack and kill Duke Merenthis.

As the Heroes try to figure out where to find the culprit while suspected by the only surviving Duke - Duke Aventis - and hunted by Assassins, certain hidden details make Ardon's succession to the throne uncertain, with the other contender being Celdon Shianis, the younger brother of the deceased Emperor.

Succession (14.0 to 14.1)

Although the Duke Aventis initially planned to arrest them, the Heroes deal peaceably and honorably with him. In turn, the Duke confides in them details about the previous Emperor's ascension, where they learn Celdon Shianis is in fact the older brother of Beldon Shianis. Celdon would have become Emperor, if not for a plot by Beldon Shianis and Duke Merenthis, that almost resulted in Celdon's death, and made him lose his birthright to pose as the younger brother.

Since no one else alive would know of the wronged Wraith Knight who perished in the plot by Beldon Shianis and Duke Merenthis, the Heroes suspected Celdon Shianis, but find little other information even from visiting him in the palace. After drawing out Assassins but dropping the lead due to danger, the Heroes turn to Xyphrenos the Dragon to lure Dalanar the vampire out. They capture Dalanar and also rescue Marian Kystada, the wife of Celdon Shianis, who was being possessed by Kistarra via an Onyx Gem. Satisfied with their work, the Heroes wait to see who succeeds the throne.

After the mourning period, Celdon Shianis ascends the throne and rewards them generously for their aid in bringing Dalanar to justice and protecting his nephew Ardon.

[Zyraen]

In the aftermath of the Arc, after the 7 days of mourning, the arbiter Jeneva has proposed Celdon Shianis to be Emperor. She reveals before the people her findings about his true identity as the eldest son, the older brother of Beldon Shianis.

This finding is corroborated by Duke Aventis showing letters from his father. The events concerning the demise of Balthus were confirmed in writing by Lord Marlon Merenthis, with details about "betrayal" carefully left out, and the Yuan-Ti attack on Balthus' ship only mentioned as an unexpected attack.

THANKSGIVING DURING CORONATION

After being crowned Emperor, Celdon Shianis gives heartfelt thanks to a God that he came to know, a being that spoke to him in fitful dreams and visions in between weeks and months of torture. During his rescue, he found an Orb through which he came to know the name of his God, the original God of Hope, Life and the Sun, who created Humans.

His name has been lost in the mists of time, when he sacrificed himself in the first war between the Gods and godlike creatures of destruction (loremaster: Primordials) for the good of all. Today, Pelor is but holding his portfolio in his stead, and watching over his created people, humans.

It was this God who gave Emperor Celdon hope beyond hope, when he was captured, to be rescued ; when he thought he would be drowned, to be washed ashore ; when he had resigned himself to ending his days as an Imperial Uncle, only to be crowned Emperor today.

His name is Kadrigar, and just as he can grant hope beyond hope, he also reaches out to all who are true of heart, even as he will soon be reborn, completing his cycle from death back into life. He is returning, and soon he will return to take his rightful place back as among the mightiest and purest of such Gods that are known today.

Emperor Celdon closed off by telling the people, not to celebrate his coronation, but to celebrate that the true Emperor, the one who is ruler of all under the sun, the ruler of all hope and life, has made himself known to all of us.

He then ends by commissioning a great temple in the name of Kadrigar to be built in the middle of the Shian City.

===================

Other Matters Settled

Orb Awarded to the Heroes' Healer

Emperor Celdon thanked to the Heroes for their service during this period of time, as his wife Marian Kystada had informed him, for banishing Dalanar the Vampire, the one behind the Wraith attacks that resulted in the death of Duke Galion. He also thanked them for freeing her from the effect and control by Dalanar and the evil Gem of Kistarra.

In gratitude, he awarded to the party's healer the special Orb that he had found in Yuan-Ti lands, through which he came to know Kadrigar. Since Sylvannas already has a similar Orb, Emperor Celdon believes Kadrigar has special plans for her, and hopes that Kadrigar might guide her way forward into the light.

He also rewards all the other Heroes generously.

The Merenthis Family

Major Darion Merenthis, first son of the deceased Duke Galion Merenthis, was slated to succeed his father as Commander-General of the Shian Military. Duke Aventis asked Emperor Celdon if that is his wish, given that Duke Galion Merenthis may have been responsible for his past loss of his birthright.

The Emperor mentions that since the birthright has been restored and Duke Galion is now deceased, and since the Duke was likely acting on instructions from someone else (Beldon Shianis, but not named), there is no reason to hold it against them.
Further the Merenthis family has served the Empire loyally for generations, even before the formation of the Empire. The Empire was built and maintained on the blood of his ancestors, and so he deems it improper that a relatively small personal grudge should result in the disfavor of such an illustrious family.

Hence, Darion Merenthis was promoted to Commander-General and bestowed the title of Duke, succeeding his father as the head of the Merenthis family. Of his own accord, he pledged his uttermost loyalty to the new Emperor and his lineage.

The Aftermath of Ardon Shianis

Captain Ardon will be promoted to Major, and if he wishes, he can carry on his leadership of the West Garrison, otherwise he can decide where he wishes to be, be it in Shian City, or which of the Garrisons.

Captain Ardon turned down the promotion, instead choosing to in its place to petition for his uncle Feldon Shianis and Lord Marlon Merenthis' pardon and release. He observed that Feldon Shianis had acted out of a desire to right injustice and also would not have struck his own liege if the Emperor had not himself requested it. He also noted that Lord Marlon was incarcerated regards actions endangering a son of the Emperor, but since he was no longer the son of the Emperor, and that his actions resulted in his survival rather than his demise, that Lord Marlon be freed.

Rather predictably, Emperor Celdon agreed with his recommendations and pardoned Feldon. He did not pardon Lord Marlon, only released and rewarded him, saying that he believed Lord Marlon had done no wrong, so there was nothing to pardon, and acted only out of loyalty to the Empire and the Crown.

Emperor Celdon then extended the promotion once more to Captain Ardon, who accepted it this time. Major Ardon decided to take command of the West Garrison, wanting to be where he would be of the greatest service to the Empire.

Special Honor to Balthus Aventis and Lady Jeneva

After that, Balthus Aventis was given special mention and thanks during the coronation as the man who rescued him from the Yuan-Ti. Even after that, Emperor Celdon thanked Jeneva for her actions, and her willingness to choose what was right, even if it was more unpopular.
He said forever he and his descendants will be in debt, to her and her deceased husband, to them both. He asked if he could elevate her to nobility and provide her a full estate of her own.

Jeneva received his thanks graciously, but said there was no need for her to be nobility. She had no children, no family, and she was an old lady that would soon come to the end of her days. She was happy with her lifestyle, her pay as Magistrate, and desired for nothing but justice to be wisely administered, that people may know peace and prosperity.

The Emperor then bade her stand beside him on the highest dais, then moved down one step from the dais, turning to present her a special Seal, before bowing deeply to her. In the aftermath, all those assembled bowed to Jeneva as well, with the rank and file following protocol and falling to their knees to bow. Then the Emperor led all present, still bowed, in a prayer of thanks and respect, through any respective God, to Balthus Aventis, and that his spirit may find the true rest and peace that he so richly deserves. For the first time in decades, Jeneva wept.

[Zyraen]

Sending from Karanar the Lich
This Sending would be received after the Heroes have eliminated the Drider and obtained the 3 medallions

Karanar informs the party that the wards on the Onyx Gem were not as strong as he had thought. He managed to shatter it and destroy the evil, though in the process the Gem was reduced to worthless dust.