Session 28 Prep

Set Expectations

Set the expectations for the session and communicate any above table information FIRST before starting the session…

Housekeeping

• Shoes off at the door
• There are two bathrooms - the main bathroom (point to it) is the preferred one please. If that’s in use - my ensuite bathroom is available.
• Check out the food options nearby - there’s not a lot with in like Poppy’s grade walking distance but way more options in Uber Eats range I think
• Drinks are in the fridge - if they get close to running out. The are cartons in the linen-press next between the TV unit and the Laundry.

Resetting Expectations: With the break and now change of scenery - there’s a good opportunity here to discuss and implement changes for the overall health of the game/table. Regarding stuff that happens at the table and outside of it.

• Flanking
  • technically not a rule in 5.5 and does prove challenging/overtuned for a table of 8 players.
  • There could be a middle ground between outright removing it and keeping it but wanted to open the discussion more.
• Session notes:
  • I think the time has come for Session notes to become a collaborative exercise. I hope that we all recognize their usefulness following these large gaps but the work required is detracting from my other GM tasks and general life admin.
  • My Proposal: A round robin system where everyone has a turn at writing a session’s worth of notes. At the start or end of everyone session - dice are rolled to decide who is that session’s note writer.
    • Logistics: A google doc will be made available to everyone to help collaborate a skeleton
    • I will take the finalized notes and make any edits I think are relevant based on GM foresight, or for stuff like formatting - before publishing them on the Wiki.

Reminders

• Revise our table “charter” and guiding principles
  • Be the audience that you would want
  • Don’t wait for an opportunity, respectfully create one.
  • Roll with the punches; the dice sometime won’t tell the story that any of us want, but we keep going.

Session Expectations & Goals

• Even if we’d had all 9 of us, this session would have been loose to let us shake off the rust but given we’re potentially missing half the table for the entire session
• My goal with this session is to work of the rust for those who are here and get us comfortably into some plot threads; could be a good session to practice/try some more small-scale improv with your party members to try and build your bonds up.
  • There’s one or two things I do want to cover for certain people but it will depend if they come up naturally.

Recap & Re-Familiarize

Recap the previous session events with brevity, then reintroduce them to the world.

Last we left off…

• Tour of Castle Pumpkin.
  • surprising statue in the gallery.
  • Jin talked more with sword before dinner
  • Aurevald had a nightmare that kept him awake the rest of the night.
• Expedited travel was provided per your deal with The PumQueen - as you made your way through 4 varied biomes
  • Mucky marshlands
  • Sparse Forest - where you encountered a plant-like creature that attempted to consume most of your troupe.
  • Misty & Howling Clearings
  • A thick and sprawling jungle pathway.
• Another statue; different figure but same similarities to Aurevald and his axe.
  • Dwarvish letters on the plaque
  • Scabb’s voice -> serpent attack
  • Kezark’s huge crit
  • Unable to free Scabb
• Aurevald’s internal struggle
  • Blaming himself
  • Losing faith
  • Recollection of a forgotten memory - renewal of faith
  • Bonding moment amongst the group as Kezark and Azriel were informed about who Scabb was.
• Dridge invited you all back to the Stronghold to see if another Terralpi could be of more use to them than he was.

And that’s where we’ll pick up from… - as you all see the Terralpi known as Dridge guiding you towards the stronghold by burrowing short tunnels and connecting them with launches into the air - vaguely resembling a landlocked Dolphin of sorts.

The current day is unknown - it has been a number of days since your arrival to the Feywild and more days since your arrest following The Roan Conspiracy.

Immediate Event

The immediate action for the Party to deal with.

The Stronghold

• A stone brick stronghold built into the ground with incredibly high ceilings (11ft)
  • Loosely reminds you all of the Dwarvish ruins you explored a few weeks back. Similar - in the derivative sense - architecture; although you’re not sure who derived it from who given how old this place feels.
• The place smells musty and their are skeletons of small creatures strewn through the many halls.
• Dridge doesn’t know much about this place “I only got here a bit ago myself - all I know is that whoever they were, they had good taste in forging weapons. Maybe one of the bookworms will know more!”
• The previous owners:
  • Old timer Terralpi named Quill who at the sight of Aurevald will call out “Blimey! You’re one of those GIGANTOS, aren’t you?”
  • A younger man (named Flick) will turn to him and say “Quill.. how many times must I tell you? It is not pronounced GI_GAN_TOES - it’s GHEE_GANT_OSS”
  • Wing the rest - the lore is fluid…

Plots Points/Paths Forward

Details about various plot threads that can be explored this session - with a subheading for each one.

Lady’s Epiphany

• At a logical time; either one of peace/meditation OR during sleep - Lady will feel her bracers pulse as her mind begins to drift. When she awakens - she’s no longer in her physical body; once again she is drifting through the serene and peaceful realm that she has been to a handful of times before - the first time being after her near-death experience at the hands of Caesar Plight.
• This time - it felt different however; as if the space itself was more accepting of her presence than in times past.
• The layout of this space - amidst the constant liminal background - reminded her vaguely of Saving Grace Monastery; the open courtyard, the covered corridors, and the sprawling number of chambers. The only thing missing were the countless students, practitioners, and monks that called it home.

*Is there a particular space within this reflection of Saving Grace Monastery that Lady would gravitate towards or wish to explore further? *

Riff for a bit - before looping her in on the sound of two people fighting. Sharp slices rippling through the air alongside reverberations in the ground beneath her. Following the noise takes her to a part of the Monastery she had never seen before.

• Walks down an unfamiliar staircase and as the space around her fades - before finding herself walking along the edge of a cliff - as the sounds and smell of a rushing waterfall fill her senses.
• The sounds of fighting that she had heard had come from here - as over the other side of the waterfall - she can now see a young, feminine person with long, white hair and slivers of what could be blood-red tips acrobatically flinging themselves through the air and towards an older Woman. The woman’s hair was almost entirely the inverse of the young figure’s - as only sprouts of white from her scalp could be seen beneath the layers of blood red hair.
• Despite the acrobatics of the younger male - as blades of solid air sliced in every possible angle; the older woman was unscathed from the assault as you notice dust and earth fall from her exterior.
  • DC 17 History check to learn/recall a fact about the older or younger figures (DC 23 gets the name)
  • Gladius Snowblood: Upon closer inspection - despite the feminine and delicate form; this figure is actually a man. A faint yellow energy glows around him - glowing brighter whilst he was channelling his assault.
  • Solum Snowblood: This woman looks to be nearly 40 years old - she has a welcoming and comforting aura - in almost a Motherly sense - that glows faintly green around her.
• A few moments pass before the sound of a gong echoes through the space; with the pair noticing her. They both silently acknowledge her presence and bow gracefully; before turning and leaving through the trees behind them.

Following - Lady finds the path around her begin to fade once more as a the liminal space returns; as she suddenly finders herself at the bottom of a flight of plateaued stairs - with at least 6 flights visible from this position. She can hear two figures speaking on the level above.

An impassionate man says “She is the second coming - I swear it to you.”

A calm woman retorts “I understand you believe so but we cannot be so brazen this time - remember what happened the last time you were so sure of your hunch. We’re lucky to have had this second chance at all - so let’s not waste it.”

The man swallows for a second before speaking “You’re too careful Facilis. Let us see what Mr Hot Shot himself says then - although he better not show her any nepo-”
The man stops speaking as he is cutoff by the Woman as the each peer over the steps and look down upon you.

• She sees a very tall woman with huge ears - large even for a person of Elvish blood - with a singular strip of snow white hair down the centre of scalp tied into a neat knot entirely made of blood-red hair. Standing next to her was a stocky man with very little hair atop his head but a prominent monobrow made mostly white hair, and flanked by blood red hair on either side of his face.
• She seemed to glow with a faint blue energy, whilst the man seemed to be radiating with a red glow.
• DC 17 History check to learn a fact about either of them, DC23 to learn more.
  • Facilis Snowblood: You recall reading Gratia telling you about Facilis Snowblood - supposedly a very calculating but also agreeable member of the family. The first Snowblood in 5 generations to wield an affinity for Water. Getting on her bad side would often see you drowned by the torrent of her fists; if the sting of her frosty insults didn’t get you first.
  • Elatus Snowblood: Gratia once shared the story of Elatus Snowblood with you - in order to teach you the consequences of being arrogant instead of confident. Elatus Snowblood was the first member of the Snowblood in 200 years to refuse the support of the Salvator Family; leading to little history being recorded about him; what is known is what his Daughter; Venia Snowblood, shared with them when she repaired the relationship between the two families.
• The pair acknowledge Lady’s presence with a bow before turning and walking up the stairs at truly inane pace; each of them covering a flight in the time Lady could cover 3 steps.
• Try as she might - Lady could not keep pace as exhaustion - a strange feeling within the spirit realm - began to set in. The staircase around her began to fade in to the liminal space as she once again found herself in the courtyard of Saving Grace Monastery.

How does Lady feel right now?

• Eventually, her bracers will begin to glow and as specs of light will ‘flake’ off and fly towards the centre of the courtyard.

“She cannot be trusted blindly. She has prowess - that is undeniable - but so did he and we nearly lost everything because of him.” one orb of light spoke, as it took the form of the tall woman from the stairs, made from a deep blue hue.

“Facilis here believes we should test her - as if her existence thus far has not been testing enough. Solum - you must see that I am right this time…” another responded as it took on a bright red hue & assumed the form of the mono-browed man - as he gestured in the direction of another spec of light.

“Young Elatus Snowblood.. you presume that I am as obsessed with our mutual successor as you are. I simply do not have your naïve fervour nor have I ever truly. You say she’s been tested enough - but I am yet to see her bear a child let alone raise one to adulthood. What could she have done that surpasses my own feats - did that qualify me to be the second coming?” a woman’s voice spoke up from one of the specs as it shifted into a deep green hue and matched the appearance of the older woman from the waterfall.

“You’ve spent the last 20 generations reminding each of us that you are the only one of us live long enough to see your child reach adulthood. I sometimes wonder if your vanity is as unwavering as the Earth you command, but I digress. I think surviving an encounter with, let alone besting, Cae’Saren surpasses nurturing an ankle biter many times over. Need I remind you that she instinctively found a way into the In-Between as a means of sheer survival…” the monobrowed figure retorted.

“A heavily weakened Cae’Saren if we’re being honest. As far as I see it - most of that feat should go to that weird Human boy. By that logic - does that mean we should anoint him the second coming instead? You reasoning is inane and your proclamations are unwarranted Elatus - she is not ready that is plain as day to see.” spoke up an androgynous voice from the final spec of light - as it shifted into a spectral yellow projection of the young man from the waterfall.

“Your insults cut deep Gladius - it’s a shame that your swords will never pierce ‘old Solum Snowblood as such…” the monobrowed man snapped back before gesturing for a fight.
Lady can see that just as the two male figures are about to come to blows - bindings of earth restrain the hands of the man known as Gladius Snowblood - and shackles of pure cold lock themselves around the ankles of the man referred to as Elatus Snowblood.

How does Lady feel watching this discourse? What does she think is being discussed?
Follow up: How does Lady feel seeing her seeming ancestors squabble like this?

A few moments pass as a staircase appears behind the four figures, with the sound of careful footsteps approaching down them. Each of the figures swiftly assumes a kneeling, respectful bow as they face the stairs. The footsteps introduce a tall Half-Elf man exuding a clear firey aura that contrasted his simple black robes and white cloak. He was very clearly muscular - reminding Lady of Aurevald if he was shorter. His face decorated by a well-kept beard of pure white hair; except for the last bottom quarter giving him a blood-red goatee, his matching hair neatly slicked back and tied into a tight bun. The man stops 3 steps from the bottom and silently gestures for each of them to stand.

“Master Ignis - I bring you good news. Your daughter has successful made her way to the In-Between through sheer instinct; it’s a clear indicator that she; like yourself, bears the mark of Phoenica. The link is not beyond repair after all!” Elatus quickly proclaimed, before the others could interject.

“Master Ignis - please, take his words with a grain of salt. He is merely enamoured with your daughter’s admittedly impressive feat and wishes to make amends for his overzealous actions in the past.” Solum Snowblood chimed in quickly after.

The man referred to as Master Ignis - took a composed breath and gestured to Facilis Snowblood before speaking “I appreciate your counsel, but even I was able to sense her presence make the leap. I must say I am proud of her - but for her to shine bright I must temper my flame; as we all must.
He looks at Elatus Snowblood at the end of that sentence - as you notice the red glowing aura of each of them fade and match the intensity of the other entities’

“If she truly is the second coming; then one more test will be little worry for her, and if she isn’t - well; let’s burn that bridge if we have to cross it shall we? Master Ignis continued as Lady notice him pull up the sleeves of his tunic - revealing bracers that matched those on her arms. A moment later - and they were gone; as her vision fades and she returns to her physical body.

You see your hands slowly glow brighter and brighter as you feel a familiar and comforting power flowing through you body. The light slowly fades as the bracers have been restored by fusing with the Wraps of Power granted to you by Morgyn.

You may add the Bracers of the Nascent Phoenix to you inventory - and remove the Wraps of Power.

Watatsumi’s New Look

• Did not believe he was truly the Successor - but the blood does not lie.
• First member of his lineage he has struggled to resonate and connect with - I cannot seem to find common ground with him
• What do you seek? Why do you get up every time you knocked down?
• What does The Path represent to you? What does “Heavenly Demon” mean to you?
• “oh i have an odd request for you… I must say after the other night I have grown to quite like the taste of blood… are you able to give me some more?”
  • if he supplies his own blood - it will revolt in disgust before clarifying. “I’ve tasted this blood - I need something fresh”

Downtime - give them a chance to surprise you

• Prompt them to speak with each other, asking questions of each other.

Combat

IF the session is going short; or if they try to stumble on SHAI’s society too fast make some BS up that they have to take a longer path than first thought.

%% ### SHAI’s Society **If SHAI is there ** The PumQueen or another NPC (either by pointing on the map or sending a pumpkin to follow) will advise them that there is a path opening nearby that could lead them to SHAI’s society. It’s about half an hour away and should stay open for at least the next 45 minutes to an hour.

Arriving at the location - they’ll see the space in between two trees waver and flicker as their perception adjusts (if the pumqueen doesnt’ get involved; SHAI will have to trust his instincts and try open the fold himself)

As the space folds away - The Fated Eight officially exit The Shifting Shades and have arrived at the very furthest outskirts of SHAI’s society… Welcome to The Hidden Leaf.

From this position, you all see the reinforced outer wall of a truly sprawling civilization - this place would make Roan feel small. There seems to be several ornate spires/towers that jut upwards from the walls and are scattered throughout the more central regions of the civilization. From this angle you can’t see much below the wall, but you can see most of the buildings atop the central spire. SHAI you would know that region to be the Capital of your home; Boston.

Looking below the wall - you notice the crystal clear lake that The Hidden Leaf seems to resting above - as bridges connect the out walls to the ground around it at 4 points.

I need perception checks from all of you please… (DC21 sees something vaguely humanoid floating above the tallest spire. Otherwise all they see is that it’s surprisingly quiet; SHAI would know this place should look bustling - even from this distance.

• What is SHAI’s reaction to seeing his home?
• How does everyone else react to seeing this place they’ve heard so much about?

You estimate you’re maybe half a day’s travel from the main entrance.

The trail winds down a sloped hill as you notice the terrain here follows a pretty uniform curve around the entire civilization; survival check DC18 reveals that the ground looks like it was impacted by something large a very long time ago.

Wing this give them some more time for RP/discussion; have SHAI tell the others about his society…

• Reach flat ground, and a short walk to a bridge the main gates. The stonework here is almost TOO perfect.
• This close to the lake - you can see a near perfect reflection of the sky; and clouds, above you. The water is eerily still; as if it’s being stopped from moving.

Arriving at the main gate:

• The usual sound of busy bodies and conversation can’t be heard…
• There is a faint shimmering veil surrounding the city up to the outer walls; and he notices that everything behind it is lifeless, still, and frozen in stasis.
• There is a familiar man stuck at the very edge of the veil
  • Dressed in mages robes; the colours unclear because of the veil, the man stands at 6’7” tall with a hand outstretched barely touching the boundary between the veil and here.

SHAI will realised that this man is PIERCE. His face locked with a constant expression of shock and horror. %%