Characters: Julian, Balin, Nomin, Lord Thond, Cael, Tulgar.
NPCs: 4 Royal Guards of Suzail, Mendryll Belarod: Herald of Suzail, Alusair Obarskyr: the Regent of Cormyr, Lamiril Cormaeril: Court Lawyer (Cormaeril House), Crown Prince Azoun V, Kynwras Firsul: Watcher of Suzail, Queen Filfaeril Obarskyr, Svlauf the Splitter (Bloodaxes), Pahelhe Firecaster (She-Wolves), Gaerhi Magognir (Emerald Swords).
E 6 Mirtul 1374 - L 6 Mirtul 1374
4800 XP
With Wyvernspur's Parliamentarian army just north of Calantar Keep, the party decided that it would be best to visit the Royal Court in Suzail before a full-scale conflict erupted. Anthony Manton chose to stay with his Knights of the Cleansing Flame to direct their defensive efforts. Julian Teleported the party to the expansive and luxurious royal gardens in Suzail where they were met by 2 pairs of Royal Knights and War Wizards. After explaining that they were noble emissaries from Tethyr, the guards stripped the party of their weapons and escorted them into the court building where a session was currently underway. Nomin Ohtar however, was recognized upon entering as an exile of Cormyr and taken away. He pleaded with the guards explaining that he had returned a changed man and that he wished nothing more than to re-pledge his loyalty to the Crown. Upon hearing this, Alusair the Regent of Cormyr rose form her slouched position and voiced her support to re-establishment Nomin as a Cormyrian citizen. Lamiril staunchly opposed this motion by Alusair, citing it as unjust, tyrannical, and impulsive decision by the Obarskyrs; another reason why the remaining undecided lords should join the Parliamentarian movement. The voices of debate rose like flames in the Court following Cormaeril's accusations. Support for Cormaeril was strongly stated by the other present Parliamentarian lords. Julian and Tulgar stood up against the Parliamentarian lords, defending both Alusair's decision and Nomin Ohtar's character and honor. Despite their efforts, the Parliamentarian lords gained more support from the undecided members of the Court and seemed invigorated by the decision which Alusair intended to use to her advantage.During the righteous shouting of another Cormaeril speech, an unlikely man stepped forth to batter the Parliamentarian morale. None other than the royalist Lord Thond, a former brave adventurer, distinguished noble, and secondary owner in the Thousand Heads Trading Priakos. Thond was at one time one of Cormyr's most distinguished knights; then during an adventurer in the Marsh of Tun west of the Storm Horn Mountains he became lost. Years later, Thond was found wandering the wilderness, half-insane and with no memory of where he had been. Although the 6 foot tall and well-built lord still attended the Court sessions he was required to by his noble heritage, he usually remained silent, except for the occasional non-sensical outburst of course. This time however, his composure of old had returned and in a bold, patriotic speech, Thond captured the allegiances of the wavering nobles by surprise. Support for Alusair's decision and the Crown would live on for at least another few days as the Parliamentarian lords stormed out of the Court defeated.
Following the Court session, Alusair asked that the adventurers and Lord Thond meet her to discuss future matters. Gathered in a lavish chamber, Regent Alusair also introduced the party to Lord Thond and Lord Partic Thistle: the Registrant General of Cormyr responsible for all adventuring charters in Cormyr. The party questioned Alusair on the rising orc threat, the Parliamentarian force lead by Wyvernspur, and other political matters. She explained that although things had been worsening in Cormyr for some time, the lack of support by certain lords had forced her to threaten revoking their noble claims. Alusair recognized the immense power that the party wielded and spoke with them not as a politician but as a fellow adventurer herself. She asked if they would join the royalist support and sign a charter to destroy the orc threat and defend Azoun V as the Crown Prince of Cormyr in their full capacity. The party agreed, signing the charter that Lord Thistle had written. Lord Thond also signed the charter and Alusair asked that he assist the party in matters related to Cormyrian history, protocol, and culture. Lord Thond felt flashes of his old self returning and energetically signed the charter hoping that whatever fog had entered his mind in the Marsh of Tun would clear. Finally, the party was formally invited to the Gesture of Fealty, an annual feast held by the Lord Partic Thistle to acknowledge the great contributions that chartered adventuring groups had made.
Lord Thond welcomed the party into his dusty and vacant castle estate in the gardens of Suzail. The party spoke with Lord Thond about the recent Cormyrian troubles and then prepared for the great feast. Night had fallen and the party entered with Lord Thond into a large courtly chamber where many adventurers, nobles, and politicians mingled and basked in the luxurious accommodations. Tulgar was approached by a strongly built Cormyrian adventurer, Svlauf the Splitter of the Bloodaxes and was told of the rising numbers of orcs in the mountains. Equally troubling, Svlauf explained was the Black Raven barbarian tribe whom were amassing power quite rapidly. Julian managed to save the gregarious Ruben Arman St. James II of the Golden Gauntlets from the unimpressed anger of Pahelhe Firecaster, a She-Wolf adventurer. In addition, the party met and with Lord Filfar Woodbrand of Waymoot who shared tales of adventure in between gulps of mead and arms wrestling. The feast began in the court's great hall and the party was seated next to the rude Emerald Swords adventuring party. After the meal the Royal Court began to call adventurers forward in the annual gesture of fealty before the young Crown Prince Azoun V. A number of adventuring parties showed their disapproval for the Royalists by leaving after the meal. Pinehill's adventurers were then called forth and Mendryll Belarod, the herald of Suzail told a grand tale of their deeds in Zazesspur. More formalities followed the party's acknowledgement by the royal family until suddenly, all hell broke loose in the court!
