Silvanost - Funerals for Friends

01 - 04 Newkolt 349 AC

Shadow listens to the rousing speech by the Elven Elder and turns to Raven and the others, “To think that after all this, after clawing my way out of the Underdark, after traveling all over creation to end up here fighting a Dragon Army for a bunch of pale knife-ears. The irony of it all. I love this plan. I am excited to be a part of it. Let’s do it.”

Raven, rarely jovial even in the best of times, simply nods and tells his dark elf friend, "I will be down by the waterfront. I need to speak with Eilra's crew. Let me know when we are moving out."

Romulus, walking with his feet wrapped in bandages and leaning on his staff announces, "I will be at Wayreth. I must make some modifications to my gear. I will return as quickly as I am able."

Shadow speaks up, “Rom, I would like to go with you and see if we can discover more about the Dragon Queen and how to kill her dragons and these dragon men.  Hopefully there some weaknesses we can exploit. But first, I need to bury Cassidy.”

The halfling archmage nods, "I will wait until you are ready."

Shadow takes the death of his little friend hard. And he seems upset and angry. The dark elf returns to the shelter of the alleyway where he and Raven left the kender's body but when he arrives it is gone. Only a black housecat with a white patch on its chest, doubtlessly displaced by the attack on the city, is present, sitting atop a barrel and contentedly cleaning one of its back paws. Thinking that someone must have carried Cassidy to the Temple of El'i where the healers are temporarily set up, he heads there but no one has seen Shadow's fallen friend.

Shadow asks around the temple to be sure and specifically asks if non-Elven dead are being taken somewhere else but Lorraine's healers tell him that they are as certain as can be that everyone is being brought here.

Shadow will return to the alley once more. He starts asking around to see if anyone was seen carrying a Kender.

After the rousing speech; Kysek shakes his head in disbelief. “If you’d only listened but a few weeks ago. You’d have all been better prepared and my friend; the one who you all looked at with disdain, would not be dead. If House Magus and House Protector don’t step up to this threat sooner rather than later, I’d hate to see where this leads you.” The elven thief-turned-mage’s words carry on the smoke-filled breeze and he cares not who hears his words.

Grotto walks to Kysek and says, "You speak the truth! It is a shame they wouldn't listen!"

Cedron, having stood quietly for too long, speaks his mind. “Wars are won on land. This assault was a mixed blessing. Although we have suffered some losses, we now know without a doubt the enemy’s intent. They have accomplished what we have been unable to achieve. They have united the Silvanesti against a common enemy, and have been met with a common response with our aid.” Cedron pauses. “And if the rumors of divine magic be true, then this may be the beginning of something much a greater. We did not start this war, but in the name of Progress I will help end it!” He concludes with resolve.

Kysek returns to where the young boy was found. He utilizes everything prepared at his disposal to find his friend Ornforithalas and his wife. He directs people where need be to recover the bodies of his friends. The Knight feels he owes them at least that much. His heart heavy with grief in disbelief that the city council would not listen to anything told of them.

He searches the last place where he KNOWS he saw his friend. All he finds is what may be two rings of soot, although they have been trod upon and through by rescue workers trying to clear the area. Strangely, he also finds the charred bodies of several honeybees near the ashes.

Ra’ziir finds a place to rest and recuperate as much as he can in the time that is available.

Arthur shifted his weight, his hand firm on Lawbringer’s hilt, and spoke softly so only she could hear. “Agnes… when this is over, I would ask a moment with you in private...please."

Agnes nods, "Of course, My Knight," she replies quietly.

At Lorraine's behest, Agnes is tasked with preparing funerals for Ornforithalas, Tephysea, Cassidy, and Eilra. She is joined in her efforts by Alara of House Recorder.
It takes the pair two days to prepare for the service. During that time, Romulus begins using his magic to affect repairs to the Hoise of Healing. He casts dozens of Mending spells, along with enchantments that create stone and move the very earth to begin putting the hospital back together.

On the day of the funerals, a dozen of Lorraine's healers, Tephysea's brother, Councilor Elamyar Dawnbreeze and Respen attend along with fellow councillors Daebella Rainbrook and Adfaren Dilla.

Shadow will speak on behalf of his friend when given the chance. He says in a clear voice when it is his turn. “I wish to speak of one of the fallen. His name was Cassidy Greenbean. He may have only another visitor to your lands that had their lives cut short but to me he was more. He  was my friend.  Cassidy was a Kender. Many of you roll your eyes and clench your purse at the sight of them and perhaps for good measure. But I found him to be of a good heart and good cheer, a person who was a friend to those he met in need. Brave to a fault and ready to defend this City. He gave of himself willing for those who don’t know him. Or want him. I know of that all to well, to be an Outsider fighting for those that are not my People. Many of you have lost someone special to you as well. I don’t know their names or their stories. But I saw them, defending those they know and those they do not. Their sacrifices and Cassidy’s should not be in vain. They should be an example, we must work together to defend each other. We have an obligation to those who paid the price for our today. An obligation to remember them, to respect them and to earn today for they will not have another sunrise. Say their names in your heart, in your mouths and in your prayers. Let not their names be forgotten until this War is over and may they forever be remembered as the First Defenders of City. His name was Cassidy Greenbean. And he was my friend. Please, say his name and the name of your loved ones lost. Say them out loud and let the gods know we honor our fallen. CASSIDY GREENBEAN!”

Grotto steps forward. "Many take the roles of the healers for granted. They only think of them when injured or ill. The healers fade into the background, not thought of or appreciated. With Lorraine's help, we trained a house of healers to prepare for the worst. We lost many friends when the house was demolished by this cowardly surprise attack. But if you look and see what our corps did, you saw the grief, but also saw their bravery. They ran to the battle, many armed only with the medical kits rather than weapons. Many fell when the hospital caved. Many fell in the streets tending to the wounded. All fell thinking not of their own safety but only if helping others. A healer's power stems not from any special ability, but from maintaining the courage and awareness to embody and express the universal healing power that every being naturally possesses. Be the healer this land now requires! So many names to name! To the fallen medical corp. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

A few more people take turns speaking but eventually, as with all things, the solemn ceremony draws to a close. As it ends, Respen runs up and embraces Kysek around the waist. Elamyar approaches the group. He bows first to Kysek, "I would like to thank you for taking care of my nephew after the attack and escorting him to safety. We... I... was wrong about a lot of things. Ornforithalas was a good man and my sister loved him dearly. I am told he gave his life in her defense. We have all heard about your actions the night of the attack and have prepared something for you. Adfaren, if you would?"

The brawny young councilor steps forward. "I am a silversmith by trade. My position on the Council is to represent the city's craftsmen. I made these for all of you." He reaches into a satchel hanging over his shoulder and produces a polished wooden case. He opens it, revealing a padded interior with eight silver medallions inside. Each medal has the engraved image of the city with dragons flying above it and the words "Stalwart Defense" printed below.

Daebella steps up beside him and lifts the first medallion from its resting place. "In recognition of your valiant efforts in the defense of Silvanost and her citizens during a surprise attack on the last night of Frostkolt that resulted in the slaying of two red dragons and by order of Speaker of the Sun Lorac Caladon, I present to you these medals for service far exceeding what any of us have any right to ask of you. Please, accept these as a token of our gratitude and know that you will forevermore be considered true friends of the Silvanesti peoples."

Elamyar clears his throat, wiping his hands on his red wizard robes, "We also have a favor to ask of you. Silvanesti has known nothing but peace for the last three centuries. Cuinar has stepped down. I am hoping that you would consider joining us. Moreover, we no longer have any skill at war. We have been authorized to bestow upon each of you the rank of Lieutenant and give you command of a full squad of scouts and the attendant support staff, whether you take a seat on the Council or not."