10/20/2022 Virtuous Age Session 23: Cerberi, Kytons and Alrog the Cave Giant (Roghome)

We begin this week’s session at 9 am (…still September 13^th) in the Great Rift preparing to leave the scene after our most recent battle. About an hour of travel we come up on a couple of wagons heading toward us; their scouts spotted us early and our characters easily see these travelers abandon their conveyances and headed for the hills.

Our characters approach the wagon cautiously, one is filled with hay and the other- planks and construction materials. Our characters consider hailing the individuals but tarry no further and move on.

Not long after Aevum’s attention is drawn to a thin line of smoke in the distance and a strangeness in the air- a possible invisible foe in the sky some distance away?

Our characters carry on and enter a glade. We are soon set upon by four vicious Cerberi. Our characters defeat the vicious three headed canines. After the battle our characters notice the ground is tainted where their blood is spilled. It is Eabrossi’s first encounter with tainted material in regards to any possible metamagic gleaned from the Cerberi.

It is about 10:30 in the morning when Tena heals our characters just as two extra-planar Kytons enter the glade.  

During the battle Kron defeats a Kyton in such a display that Shieldbreaker takes on the good-aligned property as the storm cloud symbol of Stranmas appears on the weapon. Eventually Zaigan defeats the remaining shaken Kyton.

Our characters set to building a pyre for the two Kytons, Tena feels that we are being watched. Tena consecrates the pyre while the rest of us debate a long rest or continue out of the rift. Meanwhile the sky begins to overcast. Not far away Eabrossi finds an occupied hill cave.

After a tense moment with the cave occupant, a cave giant, our characters approach the cave in an attempt to palaver and to seek shelter. Eabrossi breaks the ice with talkative banter before we are reluctantly welcomed by the evil cave giant. 

Alrog is his name and he was adamant that he did not break the covenant with the King and not an Oathbreaker. Alrog believes wizards comprise oathbreakers and speaks with Aevum at length about his pact with the Crown. 

We talk to him and find he is over 80 years and loves to hunt manticore.

Alrog

Our characters share information with the cave giant and he confirms there is a temple in the water. Alrog says during dry seasons parts of the ‘temple’ would be exposed but a few years ago what remained fell into the waters. Since then, there was a noticeable increase in weresharks.

(The first to say such a thing was Vale the human from the White Flag Adventurers) 

Alrog also laments the uptick in activity around the area and allows Erabrossi to examine and recreate a map of what Alrog calls Roghome.

Outside an uncommon monsoon storm strikes the land making us glad to have shelter. It lasts about three hours before easing to a steady rain around the time when Alrog begins to cook. 

Our characters complete a long rest and when we pick up next week it will be evening 8 pm on September 13^th.

We gain our 7^th character level.

10/06/2022 Virtuous Age Session 22: Fear Not Dragons Ye People, White Flag Adventurers Agree to Tena’s Request and Introducing Binki

We begin again on the long morning of September 13^th at the Laketown bridge about 15 minutes after our battle with the troll-copy and the Handsome Beasts. Our characters pick through valuables (updated previous review) leaving behind personal items as well as armor and gear not worth the trouble to collect. Besides our characters do not wish to come across as opportunists. 

Our characters, with the remains of Talbot on a liter, cross an empty bridge. Where once it was busy not just hours ago. In the distance we hear cries of ‘Talbot is dead’ and ‘no leader!’. Word was traveling fast. 

Under the lake surface, Kron notices humanoid swimmers. Tena and Aevum notice arcane marks on opposing sides of the bridge. The same arcane marks, Kron notes, from our suites at Four Winds. Eabrossi. The prince and Tena also notices a magical trip wire and suddenly big bats and ravens fly out from behind the bridge pillars.

After Aevum tests the trip wire with a summoned eagle, Tena finds a way to magically shift us past the 20’ area of the bridge where our character suspect is somehow trapped.

On the other side of the lake we find two unknown humanoid bodies stabbed to death. On this side of the lake our characters see folk moving away at the range of about five hundred feet.

Zaigan examines the fallen and thinks them to be fetchlings but likly wererats with armor and weapons. Some items were taken from them- for instance rings on both. 

Meanwhile Aevum grants Eabrossi a clarion’s call and summons the Laketowns folk to palaver.

Eventually boats move in and slowly around 50 people start to gather forth. Eabrossi carries on for about 30 minutes and after that there is more than 100 with about a dozen boats now in comfortable distances. 

Finally we see Cutty who looks to have been injured in combat while protecting his house from a troll-copy our characters later learn. 

Shortly there after we encounter Toomes the werevulture who approaches us and informs our characters there are those who want to know who killed Talbot.

At this time Aevum makes a speech to the masses who have gathered: The Handsome Beasts killed Talbot, those sympathetic to draconic influence. We eventually turn over Talbot’s bodies.

Toomes takes this in and relays the story to mixed reactions. Tena channels some healing energy to emphasize our good intentions for 20 injured individuals.

Two boats approach for some of Tena’s healing. The first being a pair of fishermen but the second was curious apporaching with a white flag: a Dwarf. Elf, human, and halfling. They state that they have been bitten by sharks and they are worried about infection. They state they all come from different places. When they disembark the dwarf stows the folding boat. They are all adventures with the human seeming the most uncomfortable.

Tena heals an area of fishermen and the four 'white flag' adventurers.

Kron and Aevum see that the death of Talbot comes as a shock to many. Cutty informs us that some fights started over differences in opinions. Some of these involved the troll-copies.

As for Talbot, Cutty says a message will be sent to the white wolf clan for Talbots body.

For Tena it is clear the adventurers know who Talbot was and the elf had a reaction of the mention of the White Wolf clan. She also notices the elf Faramel seems to recognize her deity Agamotto.

Eventually Toomes will lead us to a common drinking hooch-house with the White Flag Adventurers:

The Elf is named Faramel, the Dwarf name is Gabbox, the Human was just called Vale, and finally the Halfling is Kofu. Kron goes with Cutty to retrieve Gwelldar and Polurn.

On the side Toomes asks to accompany us on our travels but will later end up staying to help the White Flaggers. 

In the Hooch-house Eabrossi expends healing wand on the injured adventures. Gabbox offers a gemstone for the effort with grudging generosity. Eventually Kofu will speak for some of his friends. He states they operate out of Lowport. Faramel admits that Talbot was his friend; they were on the lake and had a deal with the White Wolf the clan because they do not come this way all the time and the White Wolf was their point of contact. 

As a group they facilitate specialized trade between the Rift and Lowport. They were contracted to find something for Talbot and deliver a magical spade to him.

Tena asks to examine Faramel for lycanthropy and does not believe him to be infected. In the end it is revealed that both Gabbox the dwarf and Vale the human are infected.

As payment for her services Tena would task the quartet, since they were friends of Talbot, to stay behind and supervise the change in leadership until a leader is chosen. (not more than 3 months time) Faramel says he is more than willing to make that sacrifice for his friends; with this revelation rest of the adventurers eventually concede.

Kron arrives about this time with Gwelldar and Polurn just in time to witness Tena use mythic power to remove disease on the Vale and Gabbox. In return Gabbox gives Tena a platinum necklace. Vale passes out briefly and when he wakes exclaims “there is a temple in the water!”

We spend the day connecting the White Flag adventures with Cutty and intend to take our long rest here. It is here when Toomes states his intention to aid the Faramel and is companions and spends the rest of the day acquainting them with the area. 

Kron spends eight hours to retrain a hit point. The rest of our characters write scrolls, work on items and work the community. Tena gives 100 gp to Mrs. Cutty.

Questions of the honor of the four is brought up, Aevum says as long as they act in good faith they should be trusted.

Polurn, after the events of yesterday, is validated  in his assertions about dragons and it is clear Gweldar is anxious and worried about more trolls. 

It is not long before our characters leave behind Laketown, trusting Toomes and the White Flag adventurers. Our characters depart intent on reporting directly to the King and after some travel, around 9 am we encounter a trio of trolls and coming up behind us are two four-armed Girallons under the effects of some kind of disease. 

Our characters are able to kill all the monsters and find a wizards mark (again, the same wizard mark from Four Winds and the Bridge) on the Girallons.

Wizard Mark

It is while this is happening a small monkey appears to Tena attempting to protect her from the gaze attacks of the Girallons. Binki seems to be planar touched in someway and feels a strong bond beginning to form.

We begin next week shortly after 9 am in the rift.

09/29/2022 Virtuous Age Session 21: Gettn Jiggy with the Fire Elementals and Mythic Fits Her

 

We begin later on the same morning of September 13^th in the aftermath of the battle between our characters and Bhishma supported with a wyvern. Only a few minutes has past since our discovery of Talbot and his patsy-assassin. 

Tena channels positive energy, the first being at her maximum power. Link to Mythic Handbook on Google Drive. (If we get a mythic tier between scenes, we gain all our abilities as well as benefits from a full nights rest).

VIA TEXT: This reflects what you learned from encounter. Those of you with knowledge arcana gain a free skill focus feat in Knowledge Arcana and those that don't get a free skill point in knowledge arcana. 

After five minutes we begin to regain our senses and Kron his constitution. Our characters start to hear people outside calling out “they killed him” and cries of that nature. The appearance of a dragon has also worked up the Laketown folk. Word is sure to travel fast.

Zaigain calls for action and at the same time an unknown will save is invoked from all of us. Our characters, still inside the nicest place on the lake get the sense that the building is on fire. Aevum and Tena sense the flames are elemental in nature.

Our characters quickly descend down to the grand hall and encounter four large 16’ long fire elementals. Furniture and finery, shit is on fire everywhere. Zaigan is the first to invoke mythic power and in the battle Kron kills his 50^th enemy. 

After destroying the four elementals we spend almost a minuet quickly putting out fires and gathering the severely wounded together outside. Here we also notice the sounds outside have subsided. We count three dead so far and observe two other structures that have also caught fire thanks to another rampant fire elemental. Tena creates water to save the buildings which takes a couple of minutes.

There are no workers present as before and it seems everyone has fled. Our characters walk down closer to the bridge and the burning buildings and find the sinister Handsome Beasts: a couple of wereboars and weresharks each along with the ‘Joe Bridgetroll’. During the battle Tena notices large bats flying around and many of the folk on the bridge have retreated to the other side of the lake.

We are able to defeat them all including the troll who we threw upon a burning structure. Eabrossi wants to leave the bodies where they laywhile Tena discovers varying degrees of magic on each of the attackers.

On the bloodrager changeling: +1 cruel Morningstar (the lake), +1 human defiant chain shirt (none), cape of free will +2/+3 (mythic item) Zaigan, several scrolls (enlarge person x4, expeditious retreat x4, fear the sun x2, longarm x4, stonefist x2)- split between Eabrossi and Aevum, 320 gp, and a ring of 6 keys. (2 are large door keys, 3 are chest keys and one is a magical skeleton key). 

On the knoll barbarian fighters: adamantine battle axe (Aevum), +1 kinslayer light crossbow (Zaigan), studded leather armor (left on the fallen), cloak of resistance +2 (Kron), gutbite belt (Aevum), 4 potions of enlarge person (Kron), 1 potion of hide from animals, 1 potion of pass without a trace (Kron), 2 potions of protection of good (the lake), and 4 potions of remove fear (all save for Tena), and 3 rubys (50 gp each).

Hobgoblin wereshark barbarian: masterwork trident, chainshirt. (left on the fallen)

Human wereshark fighter: masterwork trident. (left on the fallen)

We pick up next game session about 20 minutes later.  

09/22/2022 Virtuous Age Session 20: Talbot, Bhishma, and The First Mythic Tier

We begin on the morning of September 13^th. Our host Cutty is already at work- left behind for us is a hearty breakfast. We agree to leave Polurn and Gwelldar at the Cuttys.

After an hour and at the end of our preparations we begin to hear an uptick in the daily clamor from Laketown.  Upon reaching the lake we find a large amount of people using sleds being pulled by beasts of burden. These sleds have various logs and building materials for destinations across the stone and plank bridge.

Our characters see most people use the bridge while Cutty seems to be organizing the traffic. There are also carters on hand to transports items across the lake.

We eventually decided to cross the bridge and on the way we overhear a conversation with Cutty and four individuals (members of the Handsome beasts) about supplies and the toll. They seem to deflect and indication Talbot paying a toll. 

Overheard from one of the Handsome Beasts to the Troll was: ‘I better get this back when you come over, give us a couple of hours’ before they begin to cross.

Erabrossi gladly pays for us all (1gp/each). We see on-comers as well as other individuals gathering  behind us paying the bridge toll. Ahead, members of the rat clan can be seen coming towards our characters.

At the half way point we observe the mechanisms that lifts a portion of bridge center. We reach the other side and encounter another toll troll.

On this side of the lake there are crafts men busily working; diggers and laborers who create much of the noise we heard on the other side. To the east is the ‘nicest place on the lake’ and where be believe Talbot to be.

We set our order and arrive to the front door. We are greeted by a plainly dressed woman recovering from her cups from the previous night. She visits several doors and rings a bell at each then quickly leaves us behind.

Erabrossi and Aevum cast magic to clean up the party and eventually a ranger of Pan Tang wakes and doesn’t believe his eyes at first at the presence of the prince Saxo!

Other individuals enter the large main parlor- some recognize the prince, some think Aevum is just a lookalike.

There are a large number of rangers here but after a quarter hour Talbot enters the parlor.

Wearing exotic furs and miles of chest hair he first approaches the prince and bows to Aevum. The prince requests a private audience.

Talbot takes our characters to his upper residence. We break the ice with conversation about the bridge and the village improvements. Talbot jumps to a conclusion that the Prince is here for ‘the Hunt’?

Talbot expresses his support of the Saxo line, he made that clear to the ‘investor’ as well. Our characters are like: what investor?

The Investor is a Noble man by the name of Shamib. Zaigan asks various questions to get a sense if the Investor is in fact Zaigan’s uncle Bhishma.

Our character’s give Talbot the message regarding his assassination. He considers it but seems to be having a hard time with a hangover. Tena tries to help him out with a dispel magic. She is unsuccessful but knows he is poisoned AND under some spell effect.

Aevum levels with Talbot about his condition. Talbot tells us the Investor is staying in a room. Kron begins to head that way. In a very short time our characters hear sounds outside. We head out in turn and before long Zaigan spots his uncle about one hundred out away from the nicest place on the lake. Zaigain can see Bhishma is looking up at a draconic figure in flight.

Bhishma calls the wyvern and mounts up. We fight the two in the air and on the ground and in the end Bhishma and the dragon are too much for us and he escapes. 

Wyvern Forked-Tail

Inside our character finds Talbot dead with a silver crossbow bolt in his chest. The largest member of the Handsome beasts is also here, but was killed by Talbot in what looks like a deadly struggle.

We conclude our sessionhere after the battle. Our characters gain their 6^th character level and their 1^st mythic tier.

08/25/2022 Virtuous Age Session 19: Odd Boy Go-Fer, The Agent of Envy, and Laketown

We begin this week’s session at the mossy stone taking a short rest from our combat heavy travels. Our character ultimately reunite with Gwelldar and Polurn. 

They apologize for being late- they describe a draconic presence at a pond-cave about a mile and a half away. It is there they felt the presence of a large dragon.

So Polurn and Gwelldar backtracked their route for safety and eventually came up behind us. Such movement exhausted Polurn and after granting him some recovery time we continue North on our search for Talbot.

It is 3 in the afternoon on September 12^th.

Our characters eventually come to a ridge where we see two paths decent before us. Kron slides down the rocky slope 25 feet, only to find the slope is actually burrow warrens to hybrid- rats. We are also soon attacked by a pair of trolls.

We scatter the hybrid rats and fell one of the trolls. After the battle Zaigan spots some dark flying shapes in the distance. We break off from the warren-ridge and the troll nests after a brief respite of healing.

Around 5 pm Zaigan calls for a halt in our march and we are soon alerted to a single flying half-fiend minotaur- an agent of ENVY- and a pair of trolls. These are bigger and have two heads. 

Our characters are able to defeat the trio: Kron utterly destroying one troll and chasing off the half fiend minotaur after a critical hit. Zaigan expertly carves up his opponent with three successive critical rolls. Tena chases the flying minotaur with a lantern archon.

We take a short break before we continue north and eventually find some civilized folk about their business while keeping their distance. Before long we are approaching a large lake surrounded by various small docks and supporting buildings and on the opposite side: Laketown.

We approach cautiously and are hailed by an older fella, a ware vulture named Toomes, who warn of us strangers and those are not the Wardens flying about- cryptically referring to the flying half fiend minotaurs. 

Toomes eventually recognizes Prince Aevum which sparks conversation between the Prince who asks about any changes recently. The old fella concurs there are strangers about. The Prince tells Toomes to be careful. The old fella tells us if we get ‘nicked’ to come see him. We are also warned about a dark presence and a degree of paranoia.

We ask about Talbot and the old fella states Talbot is across the lake where the new construction is happening. Just look for the nicest place on the lake.

Our characters make our way to the lake and a bridge where a troll is stationed as well as a ferry for travel across the lake. There is a toll box associated with the bridge. 

A giant tree like being introduces himself as ‘Cutty and offers our characters the ferry across the lake. We decline and decide to take the bridge and as our characters approach the bridge and the troll. Tena observes that this troll seems forewarned of us and is trying to act normal. When we pass the troll immediately walks towards some fishing shacks.

The Root-man Cutty also comes to warn our characters that there are strangers about and even offers us shelter. We accept his offer and before long he takes us to a mound and his cave home.

Here, our characters are well met with Mrs. Cutty who is as hospitable as our characters could have hoped for. Here there is a well, a cave home and an upper loft for us to rest.

Cutty returns to his duties at the lake and leave us to our rest. Tena replenishes their water stores with her divine magic. Mrs. Cutty is grateful but laments her mate has been missing some North end regulars who haven’t been seen in a few days.

The nicest place on the lake. 

We learn that Talbot is in Session for the next few days before the hunt. Mrs. Cutty also mentions the strangers, more traffic at night plus a mysterious noble- a strange and wealthy appearing stranger who was also asking about Talbot.

We are fed and before long Cutty returns and elaborates late news that most fliers would remain close to the bridge and rope line but lately our local flyers are discouraged not to fly around the lake at night. Our characters indicate there is a viable threat of a dragon in the area.

Kron shows them the brand symbol of Envy, Cutty recognizes this symbol and that it was also on crates that were destined for up the Rift. Cutty believes that’s where the gnolls are also going- north further up Rift.

Cutty tells us Laketown is an effort by the White Wolf to create a village and community. Stability in an otherwise chaotic clans.

We rest and pick up the morning of September 13th. 

Luna Clan

Luna Clan: Were creatures ruled by Talbot of the wolf tribe, this clan is a collection of shapeshifters made up of several smaller tribes. They are by far the most difficult clan to rule and frequently find themselves embroiled in controversies. Their primary rivals are the Rock Island and Burning Sky Clans. The Luna Clan is also a primary irritant to any dragon that tries to lair in The Rift. 

Handsome Beasts Tribe

Nightwing Tribe

   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Primevil Tribe

                                                     

Savage Tribe

                                                                                                                                                                             

Ratt Tribe

 

Shark Island Tribe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Tygers of Pan Tang Tribe

   

White Wolf Tribe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Misfit Tribe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

08/18/2022 Virtuous Age Session 18: I am Dokiti, Leaving Four Winds, and the Mossy Stone

We begin this week’s session in the aftermath of the battle in the library with the ‘Eckran’ tengu and two half-fiend minotaurs.

 Knowledge Arcana results reveal for Tena- whoever the library collectors were searching for, these individuals also collected some items along the way. She realizes some items are connected and made by the same wizard.

Aevum and Eabrossi realize (with their knowledge checks) the Queen was also involved in a similar search. Sanguine studied magic items and by the way some findings were organized seemed reminiscent of the Queen. Eabrossi, seems certain a few items including the robe and the holy bow he now carries has an elven connection.

The staff and the two books that were found we believe connects to the elf was Rul Thaven the Journeyman. Furthermore Aevum believe Rul Thaven was connection along the way to Sanguine's ultimate goal.

About an hour will have passed before we ultimately decide to go to the Dome of Ash, the temple of nature, agriculture, hunting, females, and Children where we plan on arranging a haven for some disabled 'youths'. At the Dome of Ash our characters see there is an organized watch present and we are witnessed in our approach. 

I Am Dokiti

Soon we are surprised by Dokiti a 17’ tall humanoid concealed along the wall in the dome. He has a bark like skin and a number of tattoos. With a deep voice we are welcomed and warned not to start any fires.

Scattered about the dome are cots occupied by both woman and children of various races including a minotaur woman and two children.

Dokiti speaks with Aevum and agrees if the crown reimburses the church and that the church be recognized by the crown they would take on the children.

Joining the conversation a half-ogre High Priest named Bash enters the scene and introduces himself. We quickly make an agreement and with a place to bring up to 50 children we depart the Dome of Ash and head to Eckran’s Estate.

When we arrive we decide to access the building through a servants quarters and encounter some sleeping tengu and eventually a minotaur guard.

We dispatch the guard and soon find the circumstances against us overwhelming and beat a hasty retreat.

Behind us the Eckran Estate lights up as our characters make our way to the Town Dome Apartment. The guard we find is beheadded and was the same Aevum made write the message. The message that exposed the evil narrative. We soon find that everything in our apartment was rifled through but nothing missing or added to. 

We rest but are woken in about 6 hours by Vailamore Goss the establishment owner inquiring about the dead guard and all the trouble about. He wanted to ensure the Prince’s safety because he had heard of the attacks at the Portly Frog.

We assuage his worries before Vailamore leaves us and we finish our long rest. Our characters pack and prepare to head out to the Rift and the Luna Clan. We don’t inform anyone before we eventually leave the Four Winds.

It is September 12th and overcast with a chance of rain. We are expecting Gwelldar and Pulurn to catch up with us by the end of the day. About about an hour into our journey, we come to a rural area away from the city. Soon Kron begins to smell roasted pork coming from an area pond. We decide to move on.

Not long after our characters encounter marshy terrain and an rocky shape covered with moss. Here we are surprised by 5 lizardfolk wearing a brand similar to the Dragon of Envy.

Upon further investigation about the moss, it burns and absorbed like a Blood Moss. We stay and recover the equivalent of one plant before reuniting with Gwelldar and Polurn before we continue on.

08/04/2022 Virtuous Age Session 17: Zaigan’s Huge Unit, The Big Weapon, and Hold Portal

We begin this week’s session at the Portly Frog after a quick battle. Tena expends her daily healing by channeling magical energy of her god Agamotto. Our characters begin to talk about the library before we leave. Tena is keen on the 3 tomes of Coeus. 

Many bards express concern about an attack on the prince in their house. Aevum says these actions have unfortunately become commonplace. These bards express their loyalty to the king by gesturing appropriately and ask if they can fly King Saxo’s colors over the establishment  

A short time later we descend to the prized library to discover multiple “Eckran” tengu as well as two half-fiend minotaurs. The battle was tough and taxing laying Kron low several times  

Searching around we find 3 keys on each of the Tengu that fit some of the safes here. (random rolls, plus we gain our 5th character level. 

The 3 keys unlock a Staff of minor arcana (Josh), the Book of Harms and the Journeyman Book of Rul Thaven. (Emailed) 

Beyond that our characters recover: 

A scroll with 3- 2nd level spells 3rd CL, a +2 Three Section Staff (Rob), 18 1st level Scrolls CL 1st, a +1 Short Sword (James), 1st level wand CL 1, 2nd level wand CL 3, a cloak of the scuttling rat (Gwelldar), and 11 1st level potions CL 1. All 

A Blazing Robe (Butch), +1 holy composite (str +1) short bow (Butch), Earthen Flail (James), 4 scrolls 3rd level CL 5, magical iron manacles (would take some effort to identify). 

A Ring of Animal Friendship (James), +2 minor metamagic rod (Russ), headband of mental superiority +2 (Josh), bracelet of second chances (James), mirror of guarding reflections (Rob) 

10 PP. ring of protection +1 (Butch), amulet of natural armor +1 (James), wand of alarm 8 charges, 3 fly potions (James, Butch, Josh), 3 haste potions (Rob, James, Butch), 3 bull strength (Rob, James x2), 3 cats grace potions (Rob, James, Butch)  3 mage armor (Josh), and 3 protection from good potions (The River). 

As well as the 3 tomes of Coeus. 

For Sale: composite short bow +1 STR, masterwork short sword and 12 master work daggers. 

07/28/2022 Virtuous Age Session 16: Ending Downtime, the Feather Fiend, and Why do we have all these Bards?

 Downtime Remaining: Aiming for September 12 to wrap up our business. 

• Eabrossi – Butch, completed in Skill Focus Geography (including the Cloud Continent) and has completed 2 additional days in the library and by time everyone completes their downtime he will have completed 5 days. This also yields five ‘heroic’ clues along our quest: giant lore, cloud continent and embassies and the like. These clues were increased to seven later in the session, in addition these clues can be shared. 

• Tena- Russ requires 2 more days of downtime for Improved Initiative. 

• Aevum- Josh working on Spell Focus feat and also requires 2 more days. 

• Zaigan- Rob, continues in training the nephew. 

• Kron- James trying to unconsciously trigger his Inhuman Vigor racial ability and gains the ability in the coolest way later in the session. 

Review reminder: we all have a page in the 'Find the Path Book'. 

Tena

Goals, as Tena lays it out for our characters:

First, warn Talbot of the Luna clan about the assassination plan- because his clan is the main irritant to dragon trying to nest in the area. Next, take Gwelldar to the King- warn the king and about the nefarious plots against the Saxo line and the region in genera.- Gwelldar would be the most helpful. Then travel to the Solarium to find an Embassy, or  if the Solarium trip bares no fruit, the ziggurat Polurn told us about. 

We begin this week’s session the morning of September 10th. 

Overnight both Aevum and Zaigan have vivid dreams. Both involve Zaigain’s uncle in the lands of the Luna clan. Later that morning Aevum and Zaigan eventually learn they shared the dream. Zaigan observes a change in his uncle’s behavior. Aevum meditates and focuses on the dream and believes Agamotto is conveying this. 

The rest of us wake at 6:30 and after a morning meal some of our group complete their daily downtime or head into the Four Winds to trade gold for items. 

Kron and Zaigan head out in the morning and find themselves outside the Mountaineer Bandolier seemingly run by tieflings. Here, Kron trades gold for a Belt of Giant Strength +2 that he wants blessed by the Church of Stronmaus. Zaigan provides valued company. 

Tena actively looks for clues in the library for Orbs of Agamotto for the next few nights. Here she finds a list of Titans: Hyperion (Coeus is also a Titan name from a different source. In that, Coeus received an orb in a dowry). 

Nevertheless, Hyperion sought an orb in the story she finds. His purpose was to enhance his observation powers and generate light. The book is signed by Kaiakos the Historian among other books on artifacts and great items of Antiquity. 

Zaigan and Kron shop for scrolls for Aevum. At Soupies Soaps, they are able to secure the scrolls Aevum requested. 

Kron

Later that night, Kron and Zaigan arrived at the Sky Dome. A priest Kron has never met offers to awaken the belt if Kron says the night and participates in a ceremony. Kron enthusiastically agrees.  

That night Kron experiences vivid dreams of his relationship with his weapons and armament. A baptism and a feeling of responsibility and self discovery.  

At the end of the ceremony the Belt of Giant Strength now has storm clouds and iconography of Stranmaus. It will also gain the ‘swift’ action necessary for Kron to use his inhuman vigor even while unconscious. Kron donates 200 gp. to the Sky Dome. 

The next morning our characters wake to sounds of thunder and rain- and our last day in the Four Winds. 

Kron stays with Gwelldar and Polurn while everyone else finished their business before meeting at the Portly Frog for a final bash and appreciation party. 

Our characters arrive to a bustling Portly Frog where we are greeted by several friendly faces and some familiar ones. Here we see a black tar minotaur- very similar to the guards provided to us- gesturing to a disgusting off stage tengu. 

A short time later, out of the crowd, the vile Zedar Ekran approaches and rubs palms with Eabrossi. Zedar tries not to act offended he did not get a personal invitation. 

Later, Earth, Wind and Fire and Water make set arrangement for the night. 

About 45 minutes into the night Zaigan begins to feel on edge before everyone starts to feel tension rise. Perception checks all around. 

Kron observes the Tengu change into Eckran as the creature begins to walk with purpose to Tena. It is at that point Kron intercepts the “Feather King” and strikes with Shieldbreaker. The next moment 4 winged minotaurs reveal themselves and take hostile actions while flying about. 

In the end Eckran is killed as are two winged minotaurs but two are allowed to escape. 

Zaigan

From the encounter we garner: 

4 potions of CMW, 3 potions of jump, 11 smokesticks (Russ), composite short bow +1 STR and 20 +1 arrows, cloak of resistance +1 (James), 100’ silk rope, 5 tinder twigs (Russ), thieves tools, masterwork shortsword and an amulet of natural armor +2 (Rob). 

Most of the crowd cleared out except the bards who were active in the brawl. We spend the rest of the night with them. 

Next weeks session we loot the library and plan on leaving (September 12th) for the Luna Clan. 

06/30/2022 Virtuous Age Session 15: Aevum Has a Sister, The Prophecy of The White Minotaur, and Investigating Average Residential Areas

We begin this week’s session at a dinner meeting at Zedar Ekran's on September 8^th. We briefly revisit our experience as we arrive... 

Eabrossi knocks and answering the door is a woman dressed in a translucent cloth. Definitely genie-kind, beautiful save for being horribly scarred and very blind. Some of our starting attitudes are improved upon entering the abode.

We are guided to a sitting room and are invited become comfortable. Music emanates from youths playing instruments, each of them have extreme deformities or handicaps.

Eventually a drow woman enters, dressed in leather, greets us and introduces herself as Bacall. Seems we are not to be the only guests at this dinner. Eventually Zedar Ekran arrives and heads straight for the prince and provides smoke and small talk.

Diplomatically Zedar Ekran did not offer the prince any condolences; Bacall is observed with having a slavers mark on her neck. As do the small children.

When Aevum notices the cat familiar in the room nearby...

In that nearby room servants are  busily setting up a long dining table as delectable aromas waft headlong from the kitchen. Zedar offers a tour of his dome, we agree and see the drow Bacall following along. 

The Curious Zedar Ekran

During his tour he clouts his appreciation of art from around the world and trades with the Lowport Art council. Bacall asks Zedar at a point during the tour “is Jadula coming? Dyn’Tai?” Zedar seems annoyed at being interrupted with these inquires during the tour. 

Zaigan, while strolling, sees servants setting the table- with them is a gnoll armed with a battle axe. Tena sees this too, she also notices the odd objects the man has collected- a "collector". Kron observes the cat following us and as Zedar leads us around Kron notices a trap door closing. Eabrossi attempts to cozy himself to Bacall and asks her some get to know you questions. 

Along the tour Tena picks up on Zedar’s distain for minotaurs and his fascination with Zaigan’s wings.

Everything he shows us is in relation to his grandiose lifestyle. He claims to have several individuals who work for him. (about 20 servant slaves each with some form of deformity and of different races. Of these creatures 10-12 openly carry weapons)

All in all we don’t get a full tour of his dome, but we do get to visit several galleries where we see several other individuals gathered about. A middle aged male who immediately goes to speak the drow but backs off when he sees us. A woman who appears human blooded except her eyes are a striking blue/purple sparkle. Another individual with a light crossbow and a humanoid possibly a half orc both near the dining hall.

At the end of the hall servants offer us drinks and smokes before we are eventually seated at a long ornate table. The table also has places for 7 others.

We are introduced to Ash’Gai, Jadula (F) human blooded something, the Knoll Threnemy, Dyn’Tai (?) human blooded individual with a dagger on the hips, Bacall, Awanga Ganga (orog) on his hip is a pistol, and Pumate (half orc with a sap, polearm and bolas).

Many of us imbibe antitoxins before conversation. Kron doubles down and claims to be fasting this day.

The dishes and soups are of a regional uniqueness that makes the meal stand out among the best some of us have ever had.

Conversation begins immediately as our characters do not wish to be here any long than is required. 

What caused Eabrossi to reach out to me? Zedar asks Aevum. But Eabrossi maintains conversation, and mentions the lack of a library and wanted to reach out. Astonished, Zedar is surprised we and Aevum can read. Insulted Earbossi says we all read in servant of the King! An exclamation on King. 

Tena states there was a priest of Ra who said Zedar keeps a collection at the Portly Frog. Aevum expresses interest about geography.

He uses some of the other guests in minor insults and jabs at us and the prince during and between the dinner courses. 

Eventually Bacall asks Eabrossi how he came into the service of the prince? When he answers Eabrossi turns the question  on the drow. She replies she is not in service to Zedar she is here a guest. She is an international trader and visits this area frequently.

The orog Awana Ganga engages Kron in shop talk for a short time. Both Tena and Kron get a strange feeling from the half orc Pumate and see him looking closely at them- mayhap studying our characters.

Aevum moves to sit next to Awanga Ganga and remarks on his pistol. Awanga then produces an arquebus made with what looks like dragon scales.

Zaigan remarks on Bacall’s 'slave' mark. She says it is her house symbol and unlike the servants with jobs.

In a long proclamation Zedar eventually does grant us access to his book collection. He has a letter drafted and abruptly ends the dinner before desert is brought out.

Tengu Spy

Fine as we are all eager to leave and less than a half hour later our characters return to our suite at the Grand Dome. Gwelldar and Polurn remain at the Suites while we are out.

We are told a 7’ tall human who was rail thin, was looking for the prince.

That night as most of us rest, but Aevum has a breakthrough with his cypher clockwork ring. 

This breakthrough solves the mystery code of Sanguine's books. Suddenly all her tomes levitate and are drawn into what is revealed to be an extradimensional work space (for one). This is when Aevum learns he has a sister on the cloud continent. Furthermore there is an importance to the seventh generation is the one that permanently ensure the continuance of the minotaur kingdom.

His sister is in an arranged situation on the cloud continent with the royal cloud residents.

Sanguine used this extradimensional work space to connect magics from different ages to come to her conclusions. Her belief confirms one of our character's suspecisions that one of the Embassies Pools at the Ziggurat and requires giant blood. Like Frank was the link for her and Embassy Pool activation she hoped Kron would be the key for Aevum when he goes to the Cloud Continent to eventually warn his sister of the coming danger.

We rest and wake the next morning September 9^th for another 8 hours of downtime.

Eraborssi spends the day in study at the Portly Frog.

Kron spends the day at the temple of Stranmas trying to work on his inhuman vigor while unconscious.

Zaigan trains the Nephew during the morning and in the afternoon summons his Campus for a ride.

Aevum explores Sanguine’s workspace and begins plans for on the setting of the jewel we hoped to get 10k for.

Later that night we decide to explore a close by Average Reseditinal District (#9) and on the way we drop in on Dakor Cault. We are all also surprised and Jadula is here. Dakor indicates the item is ready, furthermore there is a buyer. 

Cault has made a torc and took the liberty of making a symbol of Agamotto with it. The offer is 12k in gems. Aevum counter offers 11k for the service and brokerage. 2200 in gold each.

He has a request and that is to tell others Dakor has done work for the prince. He also tells us Jadula asks about us, specifically Eabrossi. He is not sure why Jadula knew to ask.

In the Average Residential Districts are populated by minotaurs. There are many domed as well as ranch houses.

We get to a more populated area and hear a caller “soup is on, soup is on, ...”

On the gumbo pot in is a pentagram and over that a horned bull's skull. Kron peers about for shadowy areas. Nearby is a fenced building with an overhand that creates a large shadowy area.

The Prince and Zaigan return to our suites and Kron, Tena and Eabrossi who was intrigued and stays for the neighborhood cookout.

Eabrossi watches as some many individuals take advantage of the free meal. Some stay and linger and there are others who leave. Very natural. 

However Kron eventually spots a oily tengu in the shadows. It soon steps out of site. Kron follows him into a Soupies Soaps (12.5) where he encounters Zedar who happens to be soap shopping. (A little beneath his station?) Kron enters convinced there is an invisible kenku there. He keeps a distance from Zedar and looks for invisible opponent sign. A shop keep (mayhap a shapeshifter) startles the Kron with a soap kit which frustrates the big fighter.

Zedar eventually exits as Eabrossi and Tena enter the soap shop to have a look around. 

Eventually everyone returns to the Grand Dome. We end this night and begin next session the morning of the September 10^th.