Session 9 Prep
Above Table
Section titled “Above Table”Anything above table that needs to be discussed before session.
- 10th overall session (cos session 0)
- Considering “satisfaction survey” to gauge everyone’s thoughts and feelings. Would be a non-anonymous google form to ask each person their thoughts on the overall campaign. Any issues with that?
- Would help me focus in on areas of improvement
- Smaller tables during April and into May
- Morgyn real name???
- Session is very loosely planned - will require you guys to be more involved in the direction of the session
Plot Points
Section titled “Plot Points”List of Plot Points that might be involved or branched from…
- PLTPNT - A Battle of Kin & Throne
- CHRPLT - The Treeseeker
- Aurevald will be contacted by his patron and tested for a
- CHRPLT - The Elixir Of Life
- Letter + directions to head to The Sanguine Script
- SUBPLT - Pub & Cub
- SUBPLT - The Missing Bar Staff
Review
Section titled “Review”Two or three paragraphs summarizing the events of the previous session. Be Succinct.
Last we left off… The Fated Eight handed the aftermath of the death of Lady Snowblood as Civil Corps members began to take control of the scene and prepare and investigation. You regrouped at Cynthia’s secondary abode and Axton admitted to knowing the “Moretti” figure that Thomas Urgide had spoken about before disappearing. You learned from this conversation that Axton was on the run from Vito Moretti - a criminal overlord from Gerward - for killing his son; Marco Moretti.
You began to piece together what you knew about Lady and were approached by the law enforcement of Roan and questioned by Commander Dae’hya and Governor Isaac Finsk at the Tower of Inquisition. As part of this information trade - you learned that Lady Snowblood’s corpse had been robbed of the bracers - her family heirloom - that she’d found a few days prior. Isaac Finsk offered to investigate those who had access to her body following her death to ensure the Civil Corps hadn’t been compromised.
Along that journey - Aurevald and the rest of you noticed that Scabb was afflicted by some curse affecting his ability to speak and was sent to the Roan Chapel by Cynthia Glint - suspecting it was similar in nature to the Amensic Halfling Woman currently in their care.
You investigated some more at The Rowdy Roan where you learned the waitress who had seemed so familiar with Thomas Urgide had no recollection of him at all. After some prompting she seemed to be quite confused at her memories of the earlier events with Lady’s Assailant. She apologized for her spotty memory and you decided to inform Commander Dae’hya of this revelation.
Commander Dae’hya met with you at the Storm Corps HQ and thanked you for the information traded with Isaac Finsk and the update provided. He offered to take you to meet a man named Garhys Steele - the owner of The Steel Fist Tavern - for more information.
Bridge
Section titled “Bridge”The initial event or situation to connect last session to this one.
And that’s where we’ll pick up from…
Re-Familiarize
Section titled “Re-Familiarize”Get them back into the world. Set the scene vividly and make it feel real.
- Evening of the 12th of Vaelorn, 920 PD.
- Commander Dae’hya is escorting you towards the Fortune Markets where The Steel Fist Tavern is located.
Immediate Event
Section titled “Immediate Event”The immediate action for the Party to deal with.
- A gruffer exterior than The Rowdy Roan and more reserved clientele.
- The owner is a man named Garhys Steele - a rugged Human male.
- Serves drinks at an affordable price.
The party can probe into his backstory if they want but at this stage he’ll only reveal he was once a high ranking military officer
“I wondered if I might ‘ere from you today, Dae’hya. ‘Eard from one of me patrons that a young woman from outta town was killed earlier today - I bet this lot is her friends?”
- Garhys Steele’s introduction
Garhys Steele is a short, light brown skinned man with grey hair, green eyes, and a decorative eye patch over his left eye. He seems approachable but stern - like he’d hit you for messing up his bar.
He offers them some information that he had heard rumours of a mysterious eye-patch wearing man but the details and descriptions never matched up. He hadn’t killed anyone yet - but they said he’d been involved in shady business. He said that the details matched up.
He might have a contact in The Ratways that could help more but it would require some coin.
Forwards
Section titled “Forwards”*Possible paths forward - plan for a handful of scenarios *
Morgyn’s Next Letter
Section titled “Morgyn’s Next Letter”Garhys Steele will hand Morgyn the letter after their arrival at The Steel Fist Tavern.
“Dear Doctor Bone-Mask,
I profusely apologize but our meeting will have to be delayed a while longer. I’ve received disturbing intel that those pulling the strings have caught onto my trail and I must recede into hiding once again.
I am remiss to leave you out on the lurch however, and so I have sent a pupil to Roan in my stead. Please visit The Sanguine Script and ask for ‘a head-scratcher amidst a sea of mind-numbers’ - the proprietor of the shop should know where to direct you from there.
I also want to express condolences for your fallen comrade - my sources informed me she was slain by an assassin wearing an eyepatch. I have suspicions that there might be a connection to this and the larger plot at play - but I cannot deduce a concrete identity of the assailant at this time.
L.R”
Not located on map - must ask around to find location.
Avendra Blythe will introduce herself and can be seen drinking a peppermint tea - stating she had had a bad sleep the night before. Prompting her with the phrase will see her brow raise and grab her attention. She’ll offer to help them if they can help her with a riddle she’s been given that’s really stumping her.
“I’m quite happy to help you cutie but I’d like to ask something of you first. Can you help me with this riddle that’s been stumping me for the past day or so?
What is round like an apple,
and deep like a cup,
yet all the king’s horses
can’t pull it up?”
- Avendra Blythe’s request for help The answer is a Well or a Hole
Avendra Blythe will admit she didn’t need help solving the riddle and in fact was just testing Morgyn on behalf of the anonymous character. She advises Morgyn that there’s gentleman in the back of the shop waiting to speak with them.
The Man
Section titled “The Man”The back of the shop is a bit musty and poorly lit but a match is struck and a young man will light a lantern nearby a table with a chess board on in it. He invites Morgyn for a match before speaking.
“So you’re a friend of Riddle are you? He told me you used to work in the same circles - only loosely. You were a big shot he told me - and then one day POOF you vanished like you’d never existed.
Let me guess - they pinned a crime on you that you didn’t commit, right? Brave of you to return to Terick so plainly.
Tell me - what business are you looking to achieve her gestures for name ”
- Lukhas Tophat
The young man is exquisitely dressed and even had a nice blue Tophat on. He apologies for the ungentlemanly behaviour and introduces himself as Lukhas Tophat - an associate of “Riddle ”.
Improv the conversation from here - it can go in a million directions
Patron will approach in a dream. It will feel different this time than previous encounters - he will feel a pull dragging him and he can resist or allow it to take him.
In a dark, liminal space a new voice calls out to him - he can make sense that this voice is the overlap of 4 distinct presences speaking in unison. The voice is coming from a wispy tree-like entity with four leafless branches inside.
“You approach me mortal - armless by your own cursed hand. What brings you to my domain??? IF AUREVALD LOOKS DOWN HE’LL SEE THAT HE IS ARMLESS IN THIS DOMAIN
I sense you and I are more alike than a glance has made us believe. I seek freedom and the power to protect all that I care for. Tell me; armless one, what do you seek?
Ah interesting… I believe I can help you - if you are willing to make a deal.”
- ?
Roll a d8 which will decide which of the consciousness’ is met with.
ASK EVERYONE ELSE TO LEAVE TABLE FOR THIS MOMENT PLS - BIG SPOILERS
Earth (1-4)
Section titled “Earth (1-4)”Aurevald sees the tree turn to dust as the ground beneath him begins to quake. A large shadowed entity bursts out from the ground below as dust and debris go everywhere.
“I can move mountains and carve cliffs - but I cannot find my way out of this wretched prison. Who goes there? Do you know who I am - armless one?
You present yourself to the Emperor of Earth - who are you armless one?”
- The Emperor of Earth’s introduction
Fire (5-8)
Section titled “Fire (5-8)”Aurevald sees the tree turn immolate as the ground beneath him radiates with an intense heat. A large shadowed entity bursts out from the ground below as smoke and cinders go everywhere.
“I can melt steel walls and burn the sky - but I cannot release the bindings of this awful cage. Who goes there? Do you know who I am - armless one?
You present yourself to the King Of Fire - who are you armless one?”
- The King Of Fire’s introduction
IF mentions being of “mountain blood” or anything like it:
“YOU!? MOUNTAINBLOOD? cackles No no you are mountain born but you are not mountain blood. Smog and Flames runs through your veins…”
- ?
Riff for a bit with different notes and then:
“Answer this - little one. Loss is difficult - are you looking to protect those remaining you care about?
- ?
The Husk will eventually offer to protect The Fated Eight in moment of harm for Aurevald’s services in freeing him from his binds. Aurevald can probe for more specifics but it will be difficult to squeeze information from the entity - DC18++ persuasion.
If Aurevald accepts the deal - he’ll wake up in a cold sweat and see a new marking on the back of his hands (Lady symbolism) - of a burning tree OR a tree crumbling to dust.
EVERYONE RETURNS TO THE TABLE - Aurevald’s waking also wakes everyone else up