One of Navear's tasks was to aid Geolain in setting up Halaan with a forge. A location was found on the north edge of the Artisan's District, near the border of Small Town. As soon as he was settled, Halaan started work, researching what he needed to start working on the creation of a new Coin of Power.
On New Year's Eve (the 28th of Famine) Halaan gathered you together at the forgewith Geolain and told you that, besides the pound of raw mithril ore you had already obtained, he needed three more ingredients before he could create a new Coin - a diamond touched by death, the breath of a blue dragon, and the blood of a devil spilled by a coward. He also filled you in on the likely location of the first ingredient - a diamond touched by death might be found in the Hiereed estate, half a day's ride west of Zoa. After some successful information gathering by Navear, the party discovered that the Hiereed estate was owned by a family who practised dark magik, and disappeared suddenly after some evil ritual went awry. The estate is now abandoned and few go there.
That evening - after the meeting with Halaan & Geolain - the party were the guests of honour in a procession to formally hand over the Cup of Peace to the safe keeping of the City (everyone who attended should mark off 75gp for a Zoan's noble outfit, except Rundin who deducts the cost of a new set of monk's robes).
The procession gathered in the Circle of Gawds, outside the Church of the Eternal Lantern. You mounted fine white horses and led the honour guard of Children of Light (Sir Deelaan's order) out of the Circle and along the High Street to the Council Hall. Behind you came the Cup, borne on a litter by a choir of the Assembly of Light in their brilliant white, yellow and golden robes. Next came the crew of the Hyperion and Captain Wien, marching proudly in step and accompanied by a guard of Zoan naval marines.
Finally, contingents of Human, Elven and Small Town dignitaries, brought up the rear. Dressed in their feast day finest, they represented the true diversity of this bustling city.
As you paraded at the head of the honour guard crowds of citizens & freemen lined the High Street shouting in joy and cheering the return of the cup. Ale & wine flowed freely and your glory, health and honour were toasted again and again. At the intersection of the High Street and Market Street, the Council Hall looms over the street like a bridge supported on four huge pillar-like towers. Awaiting you underneath is the whole Council, both Elders and Commons, dressed in their dark grey and black robes of office. You conducted the Cup of Peace into their presence, and as the litter bearers came to a halt, Lantern Xookaer took up the Cup and bore it forward to the Lady Alixa Lolail, Mistress of the Commons who received it with dignity and grace on behalf of the people of Zoa. With a few simple words, she congratulated the party on your triumph and thanks you for the return of this important symbol of Reanaarian unity.
After a night of revelry and celebration, the party set out the next morning for the Hiereed estate - some of you more worse for wear than others (Finn in particular). Arriving mid-afternoon after an uneventful journey, you searched the ruins of the estate and found an entry to the lower levels. We left off with the party preparing to descend into the depths. Hopefully a quest begun on such an auspicious day, the first of the new year, will end well...
