Continued from Session 07½: The Call.
Amos was spending his day off at the Giving Hands, helping out The Solari in the infirmary with the needs of the people in the Oldkeep neighborhood. As always, Kennick was happy to see him. Kennick introduced Allan; they both served Lakasis together until Kennick joined the Solari. Allan had never agreed with Kennick's choice, but hearing about what happened at the Gilded Stage made him introspective. He spent the next few weeks fasting, praying for answers from Lakasis. He said he received an answer, but not the sort he was expecting. Instead of being given a direction to help return Kennick to the fold, Allan was led to a young Caithan named Kith. Kith showed him a divine musical gift, which Allan feels is tied to the Solari, much like Sana Eillar. Allan says Kith is at Darin's Folly; he did not bring her because she is very shy and he was uncertain how he would be received at the Giving Hands. He promised to bring her by tomorrow.
That same morning, Meriel had been invited to brunch by Ragor at a orcish restaurant in Overlook. Spruce was there, too, but as Ragor warned, orcish wine is very strong. He offered Meriel a blue tonic to help against the alcohol (and admitted he may have used some during his lunch with Amos earlier) but Meriel declined a drink. Meriel learned that Nestor Soranus, owner of the Gilded Stage, did not agree with the Vigilant magistrates ruling on Sana. She also found out that after actress Allora had a date with Zarin, she and author Artur began dating. Artur is now hard at work on a new play of some kind, and Ragor hopes he can convince Nestor to open the theater soon. Ragor ordered Meriel's meal, which had the most delicious sauce, but was unfortunately covering a plate of tripe, which did not agree with Meriel's digestion. Meriel made her way to the Giving Hands for something to help her.
Also on the same morning, Oak was at the Dark Horse Den. He had been working there the last few weeks for an orc woman named Ursa. Usually he stays out of sight of the guests, doing cleaning and other menial tasks. More recently, he's been given packages and told where to deliver them throughout the city, or pick up packages an bring them back to the Dark Horse Den. There is no such thing as a criminal organization in the little Nezumi village that Oak comes from, but he does know he is working for the Cornys Family. Oak has been on the lookout for something that can help his village, and has recently heard that there was a healer at the Giving Hands that could help. He has also heard rumors that a few weeks ago Hammerfall had someone with alchemical talent making them drugs. Oak decided to go to Giving Hands to learn more.
Meanwhile, Tor'in was in Rattlestone continuing his search for Oswin, a Hammerfall lieutenant who bore responsibility for what happened to Sana. Tor'in had made a promise to Sana's father Amaiur that he would take care of things. He had been spending the last two weeks getting information from Hammerfall lowlifes, and he learned about a place called the Dream Lily. The Dream Lily is a drug den run by Oswin's number two, a Caithan and former gladiatorial slave named Kiarra. Tor'in decided to visit the Dream Lily after hiding his swords. Once he entered the drug den, he saw a pair of elven swords similar to his own, and the one non-intoxicated visitor to the Dream Lily who claimed them. Tor'in was suspicious, as the stranger's words did not quite add up. Rather than wait for Kiarra, Tor'in challenged him to a duel outside. The duel was over quickly, with Tor'in pulling his punches and the stranger staying defensive. Tor'in discovered that the stranger was Alcor, and his mentor was Keo, one of the Heroes of Viterbo. But Keo has not been the same since the Battle of Viterbo, and turned to drugs and drink more days than not. Alcor was looking for a bit of revenge against the Hammerfall for something that they had done to Keo, so Tor'in decided to take him to meet Amos.
Back at the Giving Hands, Ren had arrived from his earlier investigation looking for information on an herb he found. He was told that there should be someone there skilled with herbs and medicine that might help. The person Ren was looking was not there, but Solari Clara was still able to help. She told him that he had redroot, and if mixed with thawmellow, it could cause a form of paralysis, making someone unable to move or act, still be aware of their surroundings. This news upset Ren greatly. He discovered that Amos might be a constable in the Vigilants, but wasn't entirely sure if he could be trusted. He was worried both about the reputation of the Viggies and what Shan might do.
After Tor'in arrived and Meriel had gotten some tea to help her indigestion, they talked with Amos about their next steps. Alcor had knowledge about Hammerfall he was willing to share, and believes that the still have a stock of Bane hidden somewhere. If it can be found, then that could be used against the criminal organization. Oak had been talking with Kennick, and was eager to learn more about the Solari and help them, and Tor'in thought that the nezumi's skills would complement Alcor's. Ren had opened up more to Amos, and the Vigilant agreed to help. While Alcor and Oak would tackle the Hammerfall, the others were going to the Warrens.
Continues in Session 09: Unwanted Visitors.