Main Session

Vaeri slows slightly as she nears the nobleman’s table, but without that much hesitation she pulls out the chair across from him and sits.

She folds her hands atop the table, then leans forward almost conspiratorially.

“Sorry to bother you sir, but you look terribly troubled,” she says in a tone equal parts warmth, concern and curiosity. “Is everything alright?”

"Hm?" He says before catching her, "Oh." Is the blunt reply, a frown settles in on his brow before he glances out of the window then back to Vaeri, "I suppose I likely do look rather troubled. I hadn't thought anyone should notice in a busier place like this, forgive me." His voice is rather deep, calm and collected with the stern edge of a leader colouring its tone. Ignis lightly bangs on the table with the side of his fist, "It's just those damned harpies."

He catches himself, "Sorry- what did you say your name was? I'm Ignis Blake." His introduction is short and gives little of his background away.

“Oh! I didn’t actually get that far. With my name, I mean.” She touches her hand to her chest, almost formally.

“Vaeri Zau’drynn. It’s lovely to meet you, Mister Blake.”

She dips her head in a small nod as she introduces herself, that is, until her curiosity springs back full force.

“But- harpies, you said?” Her brows lift, crimson eyes widening. “That’s the first I’ve heard of such a thing here?”

"Vaeri?" He repeats, "Not one I've heard before. I'll remember it." Ignis states, there's a slight intensity to his absolute way of speaking, "It's my pleasure."

His brow falls ever so slightly at the mention of harpies again, "You've not heard?Perhaps you're new here-" Ignis pauses to look Vaeri over, "You seem like an adventurer. You should be careful. The Harpies I speak of have been attacking all manner of travellers passing by Emberswynd without provocation."

Vaeri perks up as he repeats her name and says he’d remember it, but when he mentions the harpies again, that spark of satisfaction gives way to genuine concern.

“Yes, I… I’m very new here,” she admits with a small, sheepish smile. “You hit the nail on the head, I only arrived in town practically twenty minutes ago, and beyond that…” She looks down at herself, “Well, I’m not exactly from around these parts.”

Her expression softens, head tilting slightly as she listens.

“Attacking travellers without provocation, though?” she echoes, frown forming. “I heard vague rumours of things in the woods getting more aggressive lately. But that’s all very unusual.”

She leans forward again, elbows nearly settling on the table before she remembers her manners and folds her hands instead.

“Thank you for your concern, but do you know of anyone that has been hurt? Or gone missing? You sound quite serious about it.”

"There's nothing wrong with being new to a place. For an adventurer like yourself, I'm sure it's a feeling you have often." Ignis reassures, his words that same form of absolute statements, "You've travelled far?" He asks in response to Vaeri mentioning where shes from.

"That's concerning. I had only been aware of the Harpies acting out of order, I shall make note that it's effecting matters elsewere as well. Thank you Vaeri."

He listens intently, his focus laser sharp even over such a casual setting, "Like yourself, I'm not from this area." He raises a hand in a stopping motion, looking slightly apologetic, "I will not bore you with the details, but I oversee transport among other things. The situation here in Emberwynd required my personal attention."

He rests his hand flat on the desk again, "To answer your question, yes. You might have heard rumours of Harpies kidnapping people, that is not what is happening. They seem after goods, among other things."

Ignis looks troubled for a moment, a frown stitching across his brow, "I know of an overturned wagon that was carried off into their camp. A few spoils." He waves his hands disintrested in the monetary value, "A few good men were killed in its capture. I assume you're here for your own reasons, but if you ever head to the river nearby, perhaps you can deal with the Harpies."

"Should you do so, you're welcome to keep whatever is left of the wagon's transport – likely a few hundred golds worth I'm sure."

Vaeri laughs a little at him calling her an adventurer again, but doesn't correct him. "I have. A lot farther than I ever expected, to be quite honest. I have been feeling that feeling often! But in such a short time frame- I never left my home until a few weeks ago, believe it or not! So this is all very new to me."

"Yes, no worries! In fact, for your notes- we encountered some undead on the way here. Nasty business, but one that has at least been dispatched, and then apparently even the wildlife itself is going feral! And of course then there's the whole business with the fishermen that I've been hearing about."

Her eyes widen slightly when he raises his hand to stop himself. “Oh, I don’t mind details,” she says with a tiny tilt of her head, far too earnestly. “And people very rarely bore me.” But she doesn’t push. Instead she lets him speak, her expression sharpening into something thoughtful, something that looks startlingly close to seriousness on her usually bright features.

When he finishes, she nods. "If harpies are hurting people, or- rather, killing and then stealing from them, I’d be glad to help, if I can. It does seems everything is pointing towards the river...”

Pausing for a beat, her tone softens. “Though, can I ask you something, Mister Blake? Since you oversee transport, you must hear a great deal of what passes through.”

She waits for a nod to go ahead before continuing. “Have you heard anything else unusual, besides the harpies? Any mention of strange magic? Dark mist? Anything that feels… off? Or- perhaps separately, perhaps not- maybe you've heard of a friend of mine coming through this way? His name is Lethren.”

There is a faint tremor in her voice in her asking. “He’s a drow as well. Like me. Shorter than you, taller than me- long white hair, red eyes. Very sharp. Very... serious, nowadays at least.” A fond, but sad smile tugs at her face. “He left home before I did, and I’ve been trying to catch up with him.” (edited)Tuesday, 2 December 2025 02:32

Her eyes search his face, hopeful but not demanding.

“Anything at all would help.” (edited)Tuesday, 2 December 2025 02:33

"Hm..." A grumble leaves him, hanging in the air along with the spices of the Emberwynd ale, taking his time to think over her words, "Are you perhaps feeling homesick?" Ignis guesses, "That's useful to be aware of. Taking care of undead is no easy feat. I'm sure you've saved this town from a loss of life in trying to combat it themselves." He raises his glass, tilting a white wine towards Vaeri, "To your victory." He gestures before taking a sip, allowing Vaeri to continue.

"This dark mist you're referring to, could it possibly be Void Energy? A black and purple looking substance that spreads like fog. Unfortunately it has been stealing my attention more and more as of late." His arms fold in front of his chest, "It saves some time that you are aware of it, I'm quite sure these Harpies have been effected by it in one way or another. I've heard some creatures consume it, I'm not entirely sure how. It can turn a single goblin into a threat for a simple force like the town guard here. If you go after the Harpies, be wary."

"It's not just occurring here. Many towns and cities have been reporting this substance causing unrest. As for what it is or where it comes from, I'm afraid I can't help."

"Lethren?" He raises an eyebrow, "...Where have I heard that name?" He can't resist the urge to clasp his free hand around his jaw, his fingers rubbing against his cheek as he contemplates it, "Do you have his surname?"

"I can't say I know all the records by heart, but some names stand out more than others."

Vaeri’s brows lift in mild surprise at the word homesick. “I suppose that’s a word for it,” she admits. “Just- everything is new. And exciting. And loud. And bright. And sometimes that’s… a lot. But gosh, it has been wonderful so far!”

When Ignis raises his glass, she beams despite having nothing of her own yet to toast with. She lifts her empty hand anyway in an earnest mimicry of a proper toast.

“To victory!” she echoes, delighted.

But the delight slips as he speaks of the void energy.

“Yes,” she says quickly, nodding, relieved he has a name for it when she does not. “One of the undead we fought was full of it. When we killed it, the mist sort of… drained out of it. And the ground near it withered, like the life was pulled straight from the soil.”

“My friends and I-” Her eyes travel the tavern, flitting to each person she's been travelling with, “we were hired by the town guard to investigate that creepy building that basically… aged itself into dust overnight. We’re almost certain that is connected to this 'void energy' too.”

Then his expression shifts at the name she gave, and her heart jumps.

“You’ve heard of him?” she asks, far too hopeful. “His surname is Vonn’ira!”

He watches stoically as the many emotions flash over Vaeri, "Your expressiveness is certainly refreshing. Perhaps it shall rub off on me." Ignis jokes, watching as Vaeri followed his toast to victory, "Drained away?" The man frowns in thought, "I have heard that sometimes creatures afflicted by the drug revert backwards when killed, but I thought that was a myth. I likely won't need to tell you this but you shouldn't offer those corrupted by this energy any charity."

"If they've become aggressive and mindless, the true mercy would be to end their suffering. At least, in the forms that I've seen. Perhaps there are ways of saving these poor souls that I'm not aware of. I know only this, the energy is dangerous as are the ones indulging in it."

"I had heard of the building, yes. It's a concern for more than just this simple town, if that could happen anywhere, it could be devastating. I wouldn't be surprised if the void energy some how had a part in it. Interestingly, when I examined it myself the ground beneath the structure had not withered to ash it usually might."

"Vonn'iral..." Ignis repeats his bad habit of covering his jaw with his palm in thought, "Lethren Vonn'iral." He parrots.

His right hand falls away from his lips and he raises his left pointer finger in realisation, "I remember now, here." He pulls out a diary, ripping free a page. Ignis forms magic to his pointer finger on his right hand, leaning on the desk with his other. He uses the magic to gently char the paper, using his finger as a make shift pen.

When he's done, he hands the page to Vaeri, "Brightwater Landing. That's where I seen his name recorded, it's a place of many travellers. It's not far from here, you'd need to travel through Faerynn Forest which is becoming more of a task with each passing day, it's close by to the forest. Maybe a few days travel at most depending on how quickly your party move."

"I may be sending you in the wrong direction, so I'd advise you to be cautious. Use this as a clue you're in the right area rather than a certainty. I saw that record some time ago, by now, if he was on the move he could be almost anywhere in this region, even here in Emberwynd which also attracts tourists. A pity I can't be more absolute on the matter. I am known in Brightwater Landing, show the note to who you see fit while there."

Glancing down at the letter, it reads:

*To whom it may concern, a dear friend of mine searches for one close to their heart, if you have information or can assist in the locating of Sir Lethren Vonn'iral, please consider this a task of the highest order, should you need recompense for your actions, I shall see to it personally with all of my ability.

The note is then signed,

Yours,
-- Ignis Blake

Vaeri stares down at the note for only a heartbeat, just long enough for the letters to sink in, before she gasps.

Then she bursts upright out of her chair.

“IGNIS!!”

There’s no warning beyond that, or hesitation. She just throws her arms around him in an absolutely impulsive hug.

It’s quick, because she realises- halfway through doing it- that this is not a thing one simply does to Important People. So, she jerks back just as fast, cheeks flushed a dusky lavender.

“S–sorry! I- sorry, that was- I didn’t mean to...”
She wrings her hands, but the smile stretching across her face is irrepressible. “It’s just... thank you. Thank you. Truly.”

Vaeri presses the note carefully to her chest, fingers trembling with something like shock. She inhales shakily, still glowing with excitement, but beneath it there’s the faintest tremor of disbelief; an old instinct, one that says nobody gives you anything for free.

That instinct is… very confused.

“Mr. Blake,” Vaeri says softly, voice steadier now. “I... Truly, I owe you. Is there anything, anything I can do for you in return?” she asks, voice quieter now. “You’ve given me something precious. Truly precious. And I…”

Her fingers tighten on the parchment.

“…I’m in your debt.”

It’s not said lightly.

Even in her hug he remains well composed, only clearing his throat after she's done, "Please. Think nothing of it, these things closest to us have a way of calling close to heart." Ignis dismisses, taking a pitcher of water left at the side of the table, pouring her a glass of water should she need it to help calm down.

He offers a small smile, "You may call me Ignis. For now, I'd be happy that you not do anything too reckless, there are strange happenings around Emberwynd." Ignis realizes that the admission was probably a difficult thing for Vaeri to offer, "Besides, I had already willingly burdened you with the task to see to that overturned wagon. Friends help one another where they are able."

"Was there anything else you wanted to know about Emberwynd?"

Vaeri folds herself back into the chair, chastened. She accepts the glass of water with both hands, as though Ignis has just entrusted her with an artifact of sacred importance, and takes a sip to hide the still-warm colour on her cheeks.

“Right. Ignis,” she repeats, quieter this time.

She nods emphatically at his request not to be reckless, though the earnestness of the expression very much suggests she will immediately forget this promise the next time something shiny or dangerous crosses her path.

She takes another sip of water for bravery as he asks her if she wanted to know anything else, her eyes igniting in excitement.

“Oh yes. Yes, absolutely. I have so many questions.”

She scoots forward until she’s nearly perched on the edge of her seat, elbows on the table, despite her earlier attempt at decorum, bright-eyed and absolutely vibrating with curiosity.

“Is Emberwynd always this busy? I’ve never seen a place with so many people just… outside. Selling food and clothes and drinks right on the street!” Her voice dips to a whisper of awe. “It’s like a festival, except it seems like it's just normal here??”

She doesn’t breathe.

“And Brightwater Landing- what’s it like? Is it big? Bigger than Emberwynd? Do they have a proper market? What kind of people pass through? Is it mostly traders? Tourists? Sailors? Do they have ships- wait, are there riverships here? Or is it all road travel?”

She pauses for a moment, a flash of something behind her eyes. Continuing, before he can get a word in.

“Actually, well, if it’s not too nosy- ignore all that, may I just ask about you, Ignis?”

Her head tilts, white hair spilling over one shoulder.

“You said you oversee transport, and you travel, and you seem to know so much about what’s going on. That sounds like an important life. Interesting, too!”

Her fingers tap absently against her water glass, excitement bubbling under every word.

“What’s your home like? Where did you come from before Emberwynd needed you here? And-” she hesitates, but only for a heartbeat, “what do you enjoy about the work you do?”

Then she beams, earnest, inquisitive, and absolutely drowning this poor man in questions he did not ask for.

"Believe it or not, this is rather quiet for Emberwynd. Likely due to all of the recent events around this place that bother safe transport, I'd assume. It's certainly similar, though that's to be expected with a lot of Emberwynd's income being earned through tourism, it really is like a full time festival in that sense." Ignis replies, he was rather fond of Emberwynd as well, his speech contrasts Vaeri's excitement with the same level of measured composure, working down her list one by one as she speaks.

"Brightwater Landing is a port town, there are ships there bigger than the buildings here. While the dock and pier are quite something, the actual town is not much bigger than Emberwynd, most people who land in Brightwater tend to move out further a field. Still, there are plenty that don't, making its people rather a mixed bag from all walks of life. It's a nice way of life. I enjoy my time there." While he answers in what feels like statements, it's clear he has previously enjoyed his time at the port town.

"All number of things make their way there, goods, workers, tourists, those looking for a new home. The larger ships are mostly for cargo, delivering larger items from further south or north of the region or far away merchants looking to trade. Sailing is a sought after trade in Brightwater, as are fishermen. There's a large market, much larger than the one here in Emberwynd that mostly specializes in seafood and distant treasures. Emberwynd does fish using boats, but I believe missing fishermen you inquired about earlier were shore fishermen. "

He takes a break, enjoying a pause with his drink as Vaeri continues,

"Ask away." He says, even though she had already began, "I'm cityborn, from the south of here. I travelled to get away from that life. Since I suppose I am of noble descent, I took my understanding of things and applied them to a place town that needed it. That's how I ended up overseeing things in Blackwater and consequentially, some of the transport that heads towards Emberwynd, as well."

He didn't really have much time to disclose much about himself, so just chose to stick with what he'd given, "I think- not everyone starts in the place they're meant to be..." He gives a nod, "Yes, I think some people need to find their place in the world, that's why travel interests me."

Vaeri’s expression softens as Ignis speaks, excitement easing into something gentler. She sits a little straighter, hands curled around her water glass, listening attentively.

When he finishes, she lets out a small, airy laugh.

“Cityborn, and a noble!” she echoes, delighted by the coincidence. “Me too! Though as the youngest I don't think I had many great plans set out for me, at least!" She lets out a chuckle. "Tel’ith Drazhul is where I'm from. It's underground, polished crystal and stone everywhere, very… stiff. Very proper. Very don’t-run-in-the-halls-Vaeri-ish.”

She waves one hand vaguely, as if trying to swish away all the strictness that still clings to those memories.

“I never knew leaving was even allowed. Not until Lethren did it.” A smile tugs at her lips. It's bright, fond, and aching all at once. “He left, and then suddenly the whole world wasn’t a forbidden story anymore.”

Her eyes drift toward the tavern window, watching the warm, messy, chaotic life of Emberwynd pass by. “And now that I’ve seen up here… met a couple different people… eaten food from stalls and talked to strangers and seen a world that isn’t scripted down to its bones…”

She takes a slow breath.

“I don’t think I’ll be going back. Not for a long time.”

Then she looks back at Ignis with a small smile. “Your ‘finding your place’ thing… I think you’re right. I think some of us have to wander to figure out what that means.”

She leans back in her chair, more relaxed than before with her endless bouts of questions. Curious still, always curious, but a little more subdued.

“I mean, you seem very good at finding your place,” she adds with a tiny smirk. “At least, from where I’m sitting."

"That certainly seems like somewhere you might struggle to belong in. I felt something similar when leaving home, the freedom, the sense that my life was finally my own was the liberation I needed." Ignis explains, understanding where Vaeri was coming from with the way she talked about her home life, "Still, Tel'ith Drazhul sounds like a fascinating place."

He scoffs at her final comment, "Perhaps I am, though I feel as though my place never stays still for too long." Ignis looks across the tavern, "Vaeri, it looks as though your group is gathering again. I shall be around in Emberwynd for some time, if you need anything, you can ask Sara at the bar where to find me. It was nice to meet you."

Vaeri’s gaze follows Ignis’s to most of the rest of her party all beginning to drift back together.

“Oh! Right- yes, that’s me!”

She rises from her chair with the same light-bounced energy she arrived with. When she looks back at him, her smile is bright but softer than before.

“It really was lovely meeting you too, Ignis,” she says earnestly. “And… thank you again. For everything.”

She gives him a small bow, and then straightens with a grin. “I’ll try not to be too reckless,” she adds, knowing full well she absolutely will be.

Then, she pivots on her heel and trots back toward her friends.

Key NPCs

Key Locations

Important Info

Recap

Vaeri speaks with Ignis Blake, learning of harpy attacks near the river, an overturned wagon with valuable spoils, and the wider spread of dangerous void energy corrupting creatures across the region. Ignis confirms the ruined building may be tied to this phenomenon. Crucially, he recalls Lethren Vonn’iral passing through Brightwater Landing, giving Vaeri a written note to assist her search.