Arrival in Appellane

At the urging of Sora and Tormund, the party decided it was best to investigate Alvroelle's meeting, both in the interest of retaking Oym Edhil from the orcs, but also as a force multiplier to gain access to the teleportation circle. Through Alvorelle's mysterious magic, the group was able to travel  undisturbed overland and make excellent time to the border city of Appellane.

Upon their arrival, the party was disconcerted not only with the imposing fortification of the vast city but also the numerous monstrous undesirables inhabiting the suburban camps around the walls and the 5th and 4th districts. Unbeknownst to his companions, Gallendan has a close cousin in the city by the name of Lady Tyrell - a famous and prosperous merchant located in the posh 2nd district of Appellane. While making their way through the city, the party detected that they were being watched and followed through the crowded streets by a posse of greenskins. After an ill-fated attempt at stealth and misdirection, the party ended up being confronted in a busy marketplace by a mob of orc and half-orc thugs being led by three human mercenaries. The combined might of the party proved too much for the assailants, who were overwhelmed and largely cut to shreds before attempting to flee. Tormund was able to catch one of the fleeing mercenaries with the broad side of his blade, knocking him unconscious for later questioning. A large squad of city guards arrived just moments after the fight, enquiring after the bloody disturbance, but Gallandan deftly put the sergeant under his spell and persuaded him to escort the party to Lady Tyrell's manor.

The heroes arrived at Lady Tyrell's manor house in the evening, where she received them and settled into a quiet evening by the fire. On a late night scouting sortie, Sora discovered a suspicious half-orc messenger observing the manor house, though he was gone by sunrise. The next morning the party took breakfast with Kraldohr Swifkind (dwarf) and Rochester Burtone (human), Lady Tyrell's old traveling companions who were in for a visit. Lady Tyrell warned them that she was scheduled to host a high-society ball in the evening, inviting the party to join at their own peril. After breakfast the party questioned the captive mercenary, who told the heroes about their pay arrangements at a seedy dockside venue after a spirited beating administered by Tormund. Lady Tyrell's spies were able to identify the maker's mark on an exotic dagger the mercenary had with him, pointing towards Daquan Melling, a famous blacksmith in the 3rd district.