Post by Thorn on May 19, 2020 5:53:28 GMT -5
Recap Time! <3
This is a bit of a long one, so first I'll post a shorter version with simple bullet points of events. This version is best if you just want to confirm if a specific event took place this session (as opposed to a different one.) This session took place on the 4th of Stone 15003 in-game!
(note: I did not properly understand the definition of the word 'palace'. Despite me previously saying it doesn't quite fit in relation to Lyrelle's residence, it...actually does...so here I am. Using the word throughout these recaps. xD)
And now...the less-brief-than-usual EuroAtlantis session 32 recap!
(As always, feel free to let me know if I missed anything!)
This is a bit of a long one, so first I'll post a shorter version with simple bullet points of events. This version is best if you just want to confirm if a specific event took place this session (as opposed to a different one.) This session took place on the 4th of Stone 15003 in-game!
(note: I did not properly understand the definition of the word 'palace'. Despite me previously saying it doesn't quite fit in relation to Lyrelle's residence, it...actually does...so here I am. Using the word throughout these recaps. xD)
*A conversation between Solstriana and Tally clues some guards in to the fact that there is a warlock in the party.
*Yzzy, Evnae, and Istovea; and later Rynn, Anzi, and an assortment of unknown NPCs from the palace, are teleported to a location chosen by Solstriana to get them all out of the way of Potential Harm.
*Each member of the party is promised free tuition in an instrument of their choosing at the Poets' Guild, if they help address the current crisis.
*Solstriana observes a red-haired high elf watching them from the ethereal plane.
*The party put everyone present under a Zone of Truth. They confirm that nobody present is a former member of the Circle Enshadowed, that none of them (besides Lyrelle and Usavias, which was already known) are connected with the Circle, and that none of them have had non-Usavias loved ones threatened by the Circle.
*Malka appears to Basil in the guise of a beautiful halfling. He agrees to consider bringing the god-forger dagger to her. Malka says she will leave Meallan if Basil does this for her.
*Amani attends a dinner with their human mother Naila, elf parent Asariel, and sister Isra. Asariel reveals that shadow magic runs in their family, and that Asariel's father injured them with that magic and was exiled. They caution Amani against the use of such magic.
*Asariel also notices a scrying sensor watching Amani, but it is very soon gone.
*On the way back to the palace, Amani is attacked by an unfamiliar wood elf wielding a long, spiked whip. Strangers drive them off, and Amani turns invisible and flees to inform the nearest guard post.
*Back at the palace, three figures wielding spiked whips appear out of dark swirling mist. Khamet urges everyone to move from the entrance hall into the smaller sitting room, so the strangers can only come at them one at a time; with Meallan hanging back to deliver two eldritch blasts at aforementioned strangers.
*Yzzy, Evnae, and Istovea; and later Rynn, Anzi, and an assortment of unknown NPCs from the palace, are teleported to a location chosen by Solstriana to get them all out of the way of Potential Harm.
*Each member of the party is promised free tuition in an instrument of their choosing at the Poets' Guild, if they help address the current crisis.
*Solstriana observes a red-haired high elf watching them from the ethereal plane.
*The party put everyone present under a Zone of Truth. They confirm that nobody present is a former member of the Circle Enshadowed, that none of them (besides Lyrelle and Usavias, which was already known) are connected with the Circle, and that none of them have had non-Usavias loved ones threatened by the Circle.
*Malka appears to Basil in the guise of a beautiful halfling. He agrees to consider bringing the god-forger dagger to her. Malka says she will leave Meallan if Basil does this for her.
*Amani attends a dinner with their human mother Naila, elf parent Asariel, and sister Isra. Asariel reveals that shadow magic runs in their family, and that Asariel's father injured them with that magic and was exiled. They caution Amani against the use of such magic.
*Asariel also notices a scrying sensor watching Amani, but it is very soon gone.
*On the way back to the palace, Amani is attacked by an unfamiliar wood elf wielding a long, spiked whip. Strangers drive them off, and Amani turns invisible and flees to inform the nearest guard post.
*Back at the palace, three figures wielding spiked whips appear out of dark swirling mist. Khamet urges everyone to move from the entrance hall into the smaller sitting room, so the strangers can only come at them one at a time; with Meallan hanging back to deliver two eldritch blasts at aforementioned strangers.
And now...the less-brief-than-usual EuroAtlantis session 32 recap!
(As always, feel free to let me know if I missed anything!)
The Disaster Party discuss their next moves. Khamet starts drafting a message which he intends to distribute all over town, so that everyone will learn of the Circle Enshadowed and their efforts to remain secret will thus be in vain!
Tally comforts Evnae and Istovea, before proceeding to chew out Solstriana for her behaviour. Because of the resulting back-and-forth, nearby guards learn that a party member or somebody very close to the party is a warlock (Tally tells Solstriana that everything the party did was because of her, while Solstriana retorts that she didn't tell them to use the specific methods they did.)
Tally convinces Solstriana to find out if the three other drow can safely leave the building. Lyrelle says this is possible, but it turns out Solstriana herself is the one who teleports them away. Awkward...
Jane promises every party member tuition in an instrument of their choice at the Poets' Guild (mechanically, this means gaining proficiency in a chosen instrument over a period of time) if they first help deal with the Circle Enshadowed. Like many others she is wary of Meallan- given that it was he who stole from Lysanthos, impersonated Miali, stole a boat, and charmed a person. She also fills the party in on some significant details: Usavias and Lyrelle have only ever seen the Circle at night and Solstriana, with an ability aptly named ‘the third eye’, earlier saw a tall red-haired high elf watching goings-on from the Ethereal Plane.
The party subject everyone present to a Zone of Truth, asking a) if anyone is affiliated with the Circle, b) if anyone is a previous member of the Circle, and c) if anyone has had loved ones threatened by the Circle. Except for where it pertains to Usavias in regard to (c), and they and Lyrelle with respect to (a), everyone answers in the negative, and Anthony senses all their answers are truthful. Meallan puts on his magic-mask and insight checks the group, given that the party now know it’s possible to cheat a Zone of Truth. He discovers no reason to suspect any underhandedness.
Lu'hais leaves to retrieve Anzi, Rynn, and an assortment of unknown others also in the building. Solstriana teleports them all away. As when she transported the drow, only the archmage knows their destinations, as it is deemed wise to grant as few people as possible this information in case the Circle tries to extract it from those present.
While Lu'hais is otherwise occupied, Khamet asks Murai for feedback on his latest draft notice. She thinks making knowledge of the Circle public is a bad idea (if the Circle are outed, more people than just Usavias could be killed), but suggests Khamet speak with Lyrelle to get his opinion regardless. As it happens, both Lyrelle and Usavias are understandably unimpressed. Khamet trots off to write another draft anyway. Surely removing direct references to the pair will solve the problem?
Amani asks if they can leave, promising to return later. Lyrelle is clearly uncomfortable with this prospect. Aviina takes Amani aside and explains that Solstriana told her about the aura of enchantment magic around Amani and that, after seeing it for herself, Aviina is concerned as well. She believes that a member of the party- possibly this warlock she has just learned about- has done something to Amani to create this aura. No matter how often Amani says they are okay, Aviina disagrees. The bigger issue, however, is that Lyrelle is convinced the aura has been applied by a dangerous outside force, and is afraid of letting Amani go free for this reason. When Amani mentions they need to meet some people they haven’t seen in years at 7pm, Aviina assumes dinner reservations and suggests they explain the situation to Lyrelle, as perhaps with more details he will be comfortable letting them leave. Amani agrees, and the pair succeed in their endeavor.
Meanwhile, Basil is hurrying along the shore with all his personal belongings. At first, the pretty halfling who looks a lot like Juniper doesn’t give him pause, but when she introduces herself as Malka he stops dead in his tracks. Malka explains what she does: she feeds off the lust for power in others. She says that this is no way to live, and that if Basil helps her become a god- so that she need never go hungry again- she will leave Meallan, as promised. If Basil does not, there's no knowing what she might do.
Malka turns and walks away, leaving Basil to consider her words.
Khamet and Batelf retrieve their equipment from the Party House. Aytal snuffles around and picks up Basil’s trail- it seems he fled along the shore!!! There is a (somewhat comedically) emotional reunion, and then the four of them rejoin the rest of the party at the palace. Khamet leaves Hatar at the stable, in the capable hands of one Ellyjoybell Nackle, diminutive gnome stablehand!
Some time after Basil and the others return, Usavias asks Tally if Lysanthos can have his assorted stolen possessions back.
“NO!” Basil shouts across the hall.
But he soon relents and agrees to give back Lysanthos’ things (he does not relinquish Usavias’ butterfly paperweight as they did not ask for it. Haha, loophole!)
This resolved, Usavias asks Tally to convince Khamet not to share his letter with the world. There is some discussion as to whether his Khametty-ness is a human thing, or just a Khamet-thing; but with some carefully chosen words Tally does manage to convince Khamet that it would be better to keep what he knows to himself- at least for now. Khamet seems a little dejected however, as he wanted the public to know the truth and trusted they would make the right decisions with it!
Amani arrives at Naila’s, and a lovely dinner is had before Asariel asks to speak to Amani alone. Asariel casts detect magic while Amani hurriedly excuses themself. When they return, Asariel notes the aura of enchantment magic around them and that there is a scrying sensor tailing Amani. The latter quickly disappears, but the question of its origin is troubling. Amani tries to explain away the enchantment magic. Asariel is not entirely convinced by their argument, but moves on with the conversation regardless.
Asariel explains that shadow sorcery has run in their family for generations, and that they’d hoped it skipped Amani and Isra (when prompted, Asariel claims it skipped them also.) They caution Amani against cultivating sorcerous magic- telling Amani that Asariel’s father, whom Amani had previously been told was deceased; injured Asariel with his magic and was exiled for it.
After receiving this revelation and otherwise catching up with their family, Amani leaves to fulfill their promise and return to Lyrelle’s palace- on foot. It’s getting dark, but so what? Nighttime is The Best!!! Along the way, Amani is attacked by an unfamiliar wood elf carrying a long, spiked whip. The stranger lashes out with the weapon, injuring and restraining Amani, but is driven off by three Generic Thugs, leaving the whip behind. Amani uses Misty Step to free themself from their spiky binds, turns invisible, and flees towards the nearest guard post.
Elsewhere, the rest of the party are also in a pretty tense situation! As soon as night falls, Usavias’ pendant suddenly heats up and burns into them, as witnessed by Tally, Basil and Anthony (who are with them and a collection of other NPCs in a sitting room.) At the same time in the entrance hall, Meallan and Khamet see three figures appear on the balcony above in swirls of dark mist: one at the far end near the front entrance, one at the nearest end of that same long stretch of balcony, and a third along the shorter widthways stretch close to the party (that passes above the door to the courtyard, at the back of the entrance hall.) All three are carrying large, spiked whips. Khamet urges everyone currently in the main hall to move to the sitting room, as it will be easier to deal with the newcomers when they can only come at the party one at a time. As we conclude the session, only Meallan and Solstriana are still in the hall- Meallan having just struck one of the newcomers with an eldritch blast.
The session ends with the party (minus Amani) entering initiative, and will resume with the first round of combat.
Tally comforts Evnae and Istovea, before proceeding to chew out Solstriana for her behaviour. Because of the resulting back-and-forth, nearby guards learn that a party member or somebody very close to the party is a warlock (Tally tells Solstriana that everything the party did was because of her, while Solstriana retorts that she didn't tell them to use the specific methods they did.)
Tally convinces Solstriana to find out if the three other drow can safely leave the building. Lyrelle says this is possible, but it turns out Solstriana herself is the one who teleports them away. Awkward...
Jane promises every party member tuition in an instrument of their choice at the Poets' Guild (mechanically, this means gaining proficiency in a chosen instrument over a period of time) if they first help deal with the Circle Enshadowed. Like many others she is wary of Meallan- given that it was he who stole from Lysanthos, impersonated Miali, stole a boat, and charmed a person. She also fills the party in on some significant details: Usavias and Lyrelle have only ever seen the Circle at night and Solstriana, with an ability aptly named ‘the third eye’, earlier saw a tall red-haired high elf watching goings-on from the Ethereal Plane.
The party subject everyone present to a Zone of Truth, asking a) if anyone is affiliated with the Circle, b) if anyone is a previous member of the Circle, and c) if anyone has had loved ones threatened by the Circle. Except for where it pertains to Usavias in regard to (c), and they and Lyrelle with respect to (a), everyone answers in the negative, and Anthony senses all their answers are truthful. Meallan puts on his magic-mask and insight checks the group, given that the party now know it’s possible to cheat a Zone of Truth. He discovers no reason to suspect any underhandedness.
Lu'hais leaves to retrieve Anzi, Rynn, and an assortment of unknown others also in the building. Solstriana teleports them all away. As when she transported the drow, only the archmage knows their destinations, as it is deemed wise to grant as few people as possible this information in case the Circle tries to extract it from those present.
While Lu'hais is otherwise occupied, Khamet asks Murai for feedback on his latest draft notice. She thinks making knowledge of the Circle public is a bad idea (if the Circle are outed, more people than just Usavias could be killed), but suggests Khamet speak with Lyrelle to get his opinion regardless. As it happens, both Lyrelle and Usavias are understandably unimpressed. Khamet trots off to write another draft anyway. Surely removing direct references to the pair will solve the problem?
Amani asks if they can leave, promising to return later. Lyrelle is clearly uncomfortable with this prospect. Aviina takes Amani aside and explains that Solstriana told her about the aura of enchantment magic around Amani and that, after seeing it for herself, Aviina is concerned as well. She believes that a member of the party- possibly this warlock she has just learned about- has done something to Amani to create this aura. No matter how often Amani says they are okay, Aviina disagrees. The bigger issue, however, is that Lyrelle is convinced the aura has been applied by a dangerous outside force, and is afraid of letting Amani go free for this reason. When Amani mentions they need to meet some people they haven’t seen in years at 7pm, Aviina assumes dinner reservations and suggests they explain the situation to Lyrelle, as perhaps with more details he will be comfortable letting them leave. Amani agrees, and the pair succeed in their endeavor.
Meanwhile, Basil is hurrying along the shore with all his personal belongings. At first, the pretty halfling who looks a lot like Juniper doesn’t give him pause, but when she introduces herself as Malka he stops dead in his tracks. Malka explains what she does: she feeds off the lust for power in others. She says that this is no way to live, and that if Basil helps her become a god- so that she need never go hungry again- she will leave Meallan, as promised. If Basil does not, there's no knowing what she might do.
Malka turns and walks away, leaving Basil to consider her words.
Khamet and Batelf retrieve their equipment from the Party House. Aytal snuffles around and picks up Basil’s trail- it seems he fled along the shore!!! There is a (somewhat comedically) emotional reunion, and then the four of them rejoin the rest of the party at the palace. Khamet leaves Hatar at the stable, in the capable hands of one Ellyjoybell Nackle, diminutive gnome stablehand!
Some time after Basil and the others return, Usavias asks Tally if Lysanthos can have his assorted stolen possessions back.
“NO!” Basil shouts across the hall.
But he soon relents and agrees to give back Lysanthos’ things (he does not relinquish Usavias’ butterfly paperweight as they did not ask for it. Haha, loophole!)
This resolved, Usavias asks Tally to convince Khamet not to share his letter with the world. There is some discussion as to whether his Khametty-ness is a human thing, or just a Khamet-thing; but with some carefully chosen words Tally does manage to convince Khamet that it would be better to keep what he knows to himself- at least for now. Khamet seems a little dejected however, as he wanted the public to know the truth and trusted they would make the right decisions with it!
Amani arrives at Naila’s, and a lovely dinner is had before Asariel asks to speak to Amani alone. Asariel casts detect magic while Amani hurriedly excuses themself. When they return, Asariel notes the aura of enchantment magic around them and that there is a scrying sensor tailing Amani. The latter quickly disappears, but the question of its origin is troubling. Amani tries to explain away the enchantment magic. Asariel is not entirely convinced by their argument, but moves on with the conversation regardless.
Asariel explains that shadow sorcery has run in their family for generations, and that they’d hoped it skipped Amani and Isra (when prompted, Asariel claims it skipped them also.) They caution Amani against cultivating sorcerous magic- telling Amani that Asariel’s father, whom Amani had previously been told was deceased; injured Asariel with his magic and was exiled for it.
After receiving this revelation and otherwise catching up with their family, Amani leaves to fulfill their promise and return to Lyrelle’s palace- on foot. It’s getting dark, but so what? Nighttime is The Best!!! Along the way, Amani is attacked by an unfamiliar wood elf carrying a long, spiked whip. The stranger lashes out with the weapon, injuring and restraining Amani, but is driven off by three Generic Thugs, leaving the whip behind. Amani uses Misty Step to free themself from their spiky binds, turns invisible, and flees towards the nearest guard post.
Elsewhere, the rest of the party are also in a pretty tense situation! As soon as night falls, Usavias’ pendant suddenly heats up and burns into them, as witnessed by Tally, Basil and Anthony (who are with them and a collection of other NPCs in a sitting room.) At the same time in the entrance hall, Meallan and Khamet see three figures appear on the balcony above in swirls of dark mist: one at the far end near the front entrance, one at the nearest end of that same long stretch of balcony, and a third along the shorter widthways stretch close to the party (that passes above the door to the courtyard, at the back of the entrance hall.) All three are carrying large, spiked whips. Khamet urges everyone currently in the main hall to move to the sitting room, as it will be easier to deal with the newcomers when they can only come at the party one at a time. As we conclude the session, only Meallan and Solstriana are still in the hall- Meallan having just struck one of the newcomers with an eldritch blast.
The session ends with the party (minus Amani) entering initiative, and will resume with the first round of combat.