Present: Balin, Garvin, and Elven.
NPCs: Szazarac, Umod Dzirt.

The session begins with Elven, Szazarac, and Umod in Saratov after Eli suggests that Elven might find her father amongst the dwarven outcast community in Forge Park. Balin and Garvin begin the session in Perth.

Call to Order: Dwarven Rights Activists - Chapter 117

Members: Buzo, Dia Dzirt, Umod Dzirt (in absentia), Gennady, Oleg, Vasya Toppolo, and Balin.
Chair: Buzo.

The group discusses the fate of outcast dwarves. Some dwarves are suggesting that some outcasts be reconsidered for clan membership. Dia stands against this, pointing out that outcasts have turned their back on their family. Balin gives an impassioned speech about how everyone deserves a chance to regain their honor. Especially women.

Fanatics of Set Ignored

A fanatic warrior-priest of Set arrives in Perth and searches the city for any signs of worship to false gods. He asks that Mikael and Vasya organize a town meeting. The town takes it as an opportunity for a potluck. Drinks are serves, venders come out selling ice cream, hot dogs, and balloons for the human kids.

Everyone comes to order so that the warrior-priest can rant about how worship of other deities is illegal.

It’s obvious the crowd could care less. The warrior-priest and his two lackeys ride off in frustration.

Vishkon Calling Balin!

The voice of Vishkon rumbles through the valley. “Balin, come hither!” Balin scuttles off to see what the Elder Dragon wants.

“Where is Elven? You’ve let my granddaughter travel to Saratov unescorted? Go quickly and catch up with her and make sure nothing she suffers no ill fate!”

When Balin scurries out of Vishkon’s cave half the dwarves in Perth are waiting to see what’s wrong. Vasya is quite grieved to see that once again Balin is sent on a mission by Vishkon. Oleg tries to comfort him, “You’re too important to be gone, you need to stay here and run the clan!” Dia rolls her eyes at the notion that Vishkon is all worked up about Elven.

While Balin is preparing for her travel Gennady arrives lugging a large box. “Balin, this isn’t quite ready yet, but given that you’re leaving town imminently I thought I should give this to you even in its unfinished state.” He opens the box and pulls out a set of chain mail, perfectly cut to her dimensions. He points out the flaws but they are so minor that it’s obvious he’s nitpicking, that he simply was having trouble parting with the valuable mail.

Meanwhile much of the dwarven community is abuzz about the upcoming Clan Week.

The Troupe Prepares for Clan Week

It’s not just the dwarves who are preparing for clan week. Garvin’s troupe also prepares! They will do a play honoring the story of Duanor Dzirt! Three of the girls are excited about their rolls: Eduardo will play Duanor, Mark will play Mikael, and Cleopatra will play Vishkon (she’s been working diligently on her dragon make-up and costume). Donatelo isn’t too happy - he has to play Fang, the orc villain. Garvin helps by pointing out that he’ll get to use a whip.

Balin arrives and the girls instantly swarm her to tell her about the play and their roles. She listens attentively until there’s a break in the conversation and then she explains to Garvin that she’s heading to Saratov and needs him to accompany her. All the girls start whining about how they want to go to Saratov too. Balin asks why they’d want to go to Saratov and all four yell out at the same time, “The theater!” They complain that there is no scene here in Perth, and there are only two gay men and they’ve all four done both of them.

Garvin promises them they can go to Saratov if they do a great job for the dwarves during Clan Week.

Elven Goes Banking

As Elven leaves the Dwarven Hall of Records Eli hires a messenger to escort her about town, a human teenage boy named Samuel.

Hesitant to head off to Forge Park it occurs to Elven that perhaps she can find her father by visiting the bank. She instructs Samuel to take her to a dwarven bank. He takes her to the Central Dwarven Bank of Saratov. It’s a fortress, complete with motes and battlements and well armed and armored human and dwarven guards and magical sigils.

Szazarac waits outside, under the draw bridge, after leaving a drag line for Elven to yank on when she’s leaving. Elven and Umod are escorted inside.

After being patted down by security and leaving their weapons at the Coat Check, Umod and Elven are escorted in to meet the manager, Chertzo Aoril. He has a luxurious office and is standing at attention when they enter. “Would you care to open an account?”

After figuring out that Elven is looking for an outcast and has no intention of leaving any money the banker kicks them out, somewhat rudely.

Off to Saratov!

To get the PCs together we rush the overland journey of Balin and Garvin traveling to Saratov. Since Garvin is worried about how hot the situation might be in Vinnitsa given that his uncle Rory was imprisoned for selling poison there to priests of Bast, they avoid the city and simply go around it.

Once they arrive in Saratov they go to the Dwarven Hall of Records where they have to deal with the human woman who tends the entrance. She gives them the same sort of attitude and run-around that Elven got. Garvin eventually uses Persuasion to convince her to expedite their application for an appointment.

Eventually they get past her and meet Gregor who takes them to see Eli Graybeard. Eli tells Balin that just that morning Elven and Umod headed off to Forge Park, against his advice.

Elven Reaches Forge Park

Samuel takes Elven to the edge of Dwarftown, points out Forge Park, and says he’ll wait for them down the street until sunset. As Elven, Umod, and Szazarac arrive at the park they pause to take in the view of the parks sights, the forge and the gym, and all the gangsta dwarves who populate the park.

As the party walks along the park a group of about five dwarves approach threateningly. Szazarac scurries up a tree. The thugs insist start to bully Elven and Umod and demand that Elven hand over her gem-encrusted green dragon shield. When she refuses he tries to take it by force but Elven stands firm. Just as hostilities break out Balin and Garvin arrive on the scene, as does Marblehead accompanied by Rubble.

Marblehead calls the thugs off and parlies with the party. Garvin uses his silver tongue to convince the thugs that Elven’s shield is magical and will transport anyone who takes it from her to her mother’s lair. Marblehead insists on getting payment in exchange for the information they seek plus their safe egress from Forge Park. Elven demonstrates to them that she can weave golden cloth and convinces them they that she will weave for them a large golden tapestry instead as payment. An agreement is reached.

For the next two weeks the party is held hostage while Elven works on the tapestry. She is able to generate a sufficient amount of golden silk but the intricacies of weaving the tapestry are beyond her. She has a major breakdown in front of Marblehead. Fortunately they are alone so Marblehead doesn’t lose face by offering some help. A couple of the local dwarven ladies pitch in and help Elven with the finer details of finishing the tapestry.

More of Duanor’s Fate Unveiled

The payment complete, Marblehead instructs Rubble to tell Elven what he knows. “Yes, I did time with Izzy in the Gulag. I knew him well. I can promise you that when he left he did not go on Hajr. During his time on the inside he developed a deep hatred for dragons and he swore vengeance on their kind. He made friends with a couple of other dwarves who drank the same nog and when they got out they headed south to Cardigan, on the Island of Perrin, on a mission to first find a dragon-slaying weapon and then start using it. I’ve heard they’ve had some success. I believe Izzy’s ultimate goal is to return to the forest where you were raised to slay your mother.”