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Post by Thorn on Apr 25, 2022 16:43:53 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis in five days folks! What adventures await with our mysterious new party member at our side? Join me then to find out!
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Post by Thorn on Apr 27, 2022 15:44:28 GMT -5
Three days until Euroatlantis. See you folks then!
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Post by Thorn on Apr 29, 2022 16:22:28 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis tomorrow!
Can our party tackle the Corruption? Will the Hellfire Paladin finally make her move? What is the Deceiver up to with that God-Forger? Will Khamet find a chance to ask our new guest character invasive questions?
Join me then to find out!
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Post by Gelquie on Apr 29, 2022 22:10:02 GMT -5
In a previous session, Amani strongly suggested to Khamet to aaaaabsolutely nooooot look at a very specific diary entry from when they were at the Extratemporal Bureau. It's really rude and private, don't look at it! Especially not that specific page! Keep that in mind while you hold onto that diary and while they look away for a few hours. ...Anyway, now that the plot point related to that is resolved, I can post the diary entry here. Amani's Diary Entry from their Second Stay at the Extratemporal Bureau(Relevant to Sessions 71-73) ((Amani didn't date this entry, because what is time? They instead label it as Bureau 2.))
We’re back at the bureau, after our adventures in future Valdrona. We were able to find the fey fugitives and retrieve the staff, though the rest of my party (Tally in particular) gave Tayvin a really hard time. And they yelled at us for it even though I had nothing to do with it. It was so… I don’t know. I’m not going to pretend that I have a good time time traveling either (Night’s Peace!!), but it really wasn’t their fault, and this was what we had to do. Valdrona wasn’t a bad place to visit anyway. I got to do some research, look around the place with Khamet, try new foods. (Cotton candy is meh.) It wasn’t bad. And yet I still don’t feel right.
I mostly just feel so bad for how Night’s Peace felt. I feel like I basically abandoned her, and that I hurt her. She assured me that it’d be temporary with the time travel, but I don’t care. I really hate to hear her so down, so disheartened. Even though that version of her is gone now… I want to create a better future with her once I get back.
It feels a little odd, though. I think the time travel did something to my connection. Or maybe I feel particularly bad right now? I just don’t feel as close to Night’s Peace right now. Before we left, I felt I could do just about anything for her. And yet when I came to Valdrona, when I felt her there… I reacted wrong, I think? A bond would’ve been just what I needed. So why didn’t I take it?
Maybe what the rest of the party is saying to me is getting to me. Maybe I’m taking it seriously. It was… really nice of them to offer. I don’t think anything can do as well as Night’s Peace has been doing for me. But I know she and the others agreed to find other ways. I don’t know how much hypericum will work, but I guess I have nothing to lose?
Not long ago, I don’t think I would’ve even considered it. I would’ve thought: What else is there than Night’s Peace’s bond? I still think that. And yet… Why is it off? Am I just off? I could well be just off. But I’ll admit, when I was in Valdrona, and when I was trying Telekinesis at the bureau (It worked!!), there were times where I felt… fine? Maybe just distracted. Not so distracted by…
I don’t get it. Maybe I’ll get it when I get back. When I have a chance to bond with her again. I don’t know why I’m hesitating.
...Night’s Peace can’t read this entry, can she? And if I don’t turn to it…
I shouldn’t doubt her. I don’t want to doubt her. But what would make me go from fervent adoration to having any niggling doubts about her? I don’t want to believe what my Ren suggested. My Night’s Peace trusts me enough to not need to charm me. Though… I guess she hasn’t told me what she’s wanted. I’m sure it has something to do with her sister. ...What am I saying, she hasn’t told me because I’m not ready yet, because we’re busy with Malka. She doesn’t want to distract me. It’s kind of her. ...But it’s weird. I’ve done none but good for her, right? ...Why am I doubting her? I know I shouldn’t. Should I? She’s done everything for me. I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, right?
Enough blasphemy. I don’t want to think about it. I want to talk about my day, and focus on other things until I can talk to her and feel her presence again. Whatever it may mean. Maybe I can even figure something out from it? If there’s anything to figure out. Maybe all my devotion will go back to normal when I get back, and then I know I’ll be wrong and that my Ren will be wrong. They mean well, but they never liked her. Of course they’re biased. I don’t even entirely blame them. They’re getting better anyway, I mean, they accepted how Night’s Peace taught my sorcery. But it’s a hard thing to get over. If only I knew what really happened on his end. I wish I could just ask about it, at least his name, just to start somewhere. But I want to look into it. I need to do some good for my family.
Unfortunately, we didn’t find the person who helped Malka ascend to godhood in the hopefully destroyed future. If we don’t find out who they are… Well, I guess we could just stop Malka as soon as we can so that it doesn’t have to come to that. As long as we’re properly prepared, we should be alright. We have the help of a lot of beings, and now we have a sword. Still, she’s done so much damage. And in the future, I think she destroyed a part of Cai because none of us summoned her… I don’t want that to happen. If my mom’s there… It’s up to us. I just hope we’re up to it. Because if we’re not… I don’t want to think about it.
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Post by Thorn on Apr 29, 2022 23:05:38 GMT -5
"we didn't find the person who..." *Side-eyeing Asariel and Meallan *
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Post by Thorn on Apr 30, 2022 17:22:16 GMT -5
Session 74: Names Learned!Thora (she/her): a Valdronan tiefling and air genasi! She ventured to Cai Shaan in hopes of finding artifacts to help her take on the Corruption, a dangerous local entity. Thora is played by Rabbit!
Ben (he/him): a genie, specifically a djinn. Communicates with his friend Thora most frequently through patterns of bubbles which pop and speak into the air around her, but can also manifest in a humanoid form.
The Curator (she/her): an older djinn and Ben's cousin (although as she herself said, all djinn are related in some way or another!) Most commonly manifests as a feminine entity composed of wind, tidy hair sparking with little beads of lightning, with a pair of perfectly normal spectacles resting on her nose.
Captain Harry Harroway (he/him): a very attractive, very tall Valdronan tiefling man whom Tally instantly took a liking to.
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Post by Thorn on May 2, 2022 18:33:22 GMT -5
Session 74: ThoraKey Notes: *The party meet Thora.
*The party meet Benevolence and the Curator, a pair of djinn.
*The party make their plans for fighting the Corruption.
*Amani receives a letter from back home in Varentar.
Recap Proper:It is the 19th of Iron, 15003. At the request of Aviina, acting Master of Arcana, the party have gathered at the wharf to witness the delayed arrival of the Nightfallen- a Valdronan merchant ship carrying famous Valdronan jams to the city. Unknown to them, aboard this ship travels an incoming Disaster...
A blue tiefling gathers her things to disembark. As she does, she thinks back to a conversation with her friend Ben. He suggested she travel to Cai Shaan to confront a monster that a marid friend of his had once failed to defeat, and which had hurt many triton. A cousin of his (known as the Curator) lives in Cai Shaan, and he believes she can provide assistance in the form of magic items, as she has quite the hoard. Thora willingly agreed to investigate and, relieved, Ben started to plan their trip.
Ben also mentioned that Cai Shaan has some kind of ruler, who should hopefully be able to locate the Curator since Ben doesn’t know precisely where she resides. With this in mind, Thora descends the walkway and steps out onto the wharf, taking in this strange new city with much enthusiasm.
Khamet makes for this intriguing tiefling, intent on asking his usual million and one questions. Lysanthos (vice-director of the trade offices) catches his arm as he passes, and reminds him to be polite and not cause a scene. Given the Master of Trade is currently arguing with the ship’s captain a little way down the pier, it seems like the time for avoiding a scene has passed. Lysanthos ultimately relents, and Khamet barrels up to Thora, wanting to know why she is blue when most Valdronans are red or fleshy human toned.
Thora explains that she is not only a tiefling, but also part genasi. She thinks that was the word anyway? Curiously, bubbles appear in the air next to her. They pop and confirm that yes, she is indeed a genasi. While the party have not encountered talking bubbles before, they have seen enough strange things that they are not at all fazed.
With their mastery of the elements, Tally creates their own pattern of talking bubbles. The other bubbles seem delighted by this! Thora explains that those bubbles were created by her friend Ben, dubbing them ‘Ben’s bubbles.’ Khamet asks the bubbles several questions, and learns that Ben is a genie- specifically a djinn. He seems more amiable and less stuck-up than the djinn Khamet knows.
When Usavias and the ship’s captain part ways, their argument having apparently concluded, Tally approaches this seven-foot tall, very buff tiefling. He introduces himself as Harry. The captain is quite taken with Tally’s demeanour, as are they by his overall presentation, and they arrange to meet later that day.
Thora asks Khamet and Amani who rules the city. She explains what she knows about the Corruption, and the Curator. The party tell her that Lord Lyrelle rules Cai Shaan, and point him out- a small angular wood-elf engaged in conversation with Lysanthos a little way down the wharf. It is also suggested that Aviina, as a powerful wizard of the city, might know about the Curator. Thora resolves to speak with Lyrelle first, and hurries off down the wharf to greet him.
Lyrelle indeed knows about this Curator. He asks the party to speak with him in private, leading them through the crowd and towards the buildings along the waterfront. Meanwhile, Amani has approached Aviina to ask if she knows about the Curator. She doesn’t know a lot, but Amani had an ulterior motive anyway: they mention that assassins were sent after them, and ask if Aviina has any advice for protecting themself from those. Specifically, they want to know how to avoid being tracked by their sorcerous bloodline, as the Fey Assassin was able to do. Aviina says she has heard of such things, but it is not her speciality. She promises to ask around and find out more, while feigning a purely academic interest so as not to involve Amani’s name.
Amani rejoins the party, who together enter the Trade Offices and step into an empty office with Lyrelle. Lyrelle explains that the Curator is a djinn who protects magical items confiscated by the Trade Offices, and manages it as her own personal ‘museum’. She will relinquish items to the party, so long as they trade for something she considers to be of equal cultural or historical importance. He emphasises that the party must treat her with the utmost respect, before leading the party upstairs. They pass through a door and down a flight of stairs they have never seen before.
The party enter a cluttered room with shelves and tables covered in items magical and otherwise. Lyrelle prostrates himself on the floor just beyond the entrance, with Amani following suit and others bowing or showing reverence in different ways. Amani makes a grand show of being overwhelmed with emotion at the prospect of meeting the ‘great Curator’.
The air in the room starts to move, drawing in and resolving itself into a humanoid being made of air, with a long trailing tail connecting her to an antique teapot. She appears to have hair ornaments made of lightning, and wears a pair of perfectly normal spectacles perched at the end of her nose. She is flattered by the words of her ‘benevolent subjects’, particularly Amani, and listens to them speak of the Corruption. She is also delighted to see her cousin Ben’s ‘favourite subject’, Thora.
The Curator brings forward three items that may be of use in combatting the Corruption: candies that can grant five people gills and fishlike tails, a candle that allows those who inhale its smoke to breathe underwater, and a poem that when recited will fortify the constitution of the reader.
The party struggle to think of something to trade for these items. Lyrelle takes the opportunity to excuse himself and return to his duties. Unexpectedly, an unfamiliar figure then materialises in the room: a young man with deep blue skin, yellow eyes, and curly turquoise hair falling to his shoulders. Tally moves to confront the intruder, who holds up his hands and steps back. Thora reassures the party that this is just her friend, Ben.
Ben begs the Curator to ‘give the party a break’, and hisses at them to emphasise what amazing and world-changing heroes they are. Eventually the party are able to trade some maps of Khamet’s homeland, a drawing of Night’s Peace, and tablets from Selwyn’s homeland, for the magical candies and poem. Selwyn makes a plan to return some other time, after writing down some of the traditional stories of his people, which he may attempt to trade for other items. Their business concluded, the party and Ben leave the room.
Tally stops halfway up the stairs, leaning on the wall and remarking that the Curator reminds them much of their mother. It is common in the Underdark for children to placate their parents with gifts and flattery, and a discussion ensues in which Khamet theorises that perhaps the Underdark being underground is why its customs are flipped from surface societies. However, he also mentions in the same breath that his own parents didn’t care what he did as long as he was home by 3am. Amani invites Khamet and Tally to join them at Naila’s house that evening, hoping to show them what a ‘normal’ relationship between a parent and child is like.
The party reach the door leading back into the main building, and Ben hugs Thora before disappearing into thin air once more. Khamet and Hatar set out for the Chipper Chipmunk, and Selwyn follows, intrigued to hear more about Khamet’s Mankarah stories. Khamet tells him about his characters (Khamet’s personal favourite is Oregano) and reads him one of his very early stories, in which Mike plans to fight to win the hand of the beautiful dragonborn Zotyl. It does not take a genius to recognise that Mike is a thinly veiled representation of Anthony, Zotyl is Tyzol, and that the rest of Mike’s party represent the Disaster Party.
Selwyn offers some helpful pointers. He suggests that Khamet use the word ‘eyes’ more frequently, instead of ‘orbs’. Khamet hastily scans through and makes alterations to his work, as he had described eyes as ‘orbs’ many, many times.
Far too many times.
When they arrive at the Chipper Chipmunk Will is still nowhere to be seen, as has been the case since Khamet returned from Evertemple. Damira is still running the cafe, which has resulted in the coffee improving tenfold but the cookies becoming far less sublime. Selwyn introduces himself to Damira, before he is distracted by a small flailing toddler running at Khamet with grabby hands. Khamet happily plays with Charlie while Love looks on, until Charlie expresses interest in the ‘pony’. With Love’s permission, Khamet puts Charlie on Selwyn’s back and the centaur carries him on a very slow ride around the cafe.
Meanwhile, Amani investigates the Institute and the temples for possible leads on fighting the Corruption. They learn that it is most likely something called an aboleth- a powerful ancient entity, revered as a god by some. Aboleths have the ability to inflict people with the disease Ruhnzolarr was struck with. Just as alarmingly, it sounds as if they can enthral people to do their bidding.
Amani returns to the party to pass on what they learned. The party discuss how to fight the Corruption, while snacking on Valdronan jam and tasty local bread. Eventually the party decide they should acquire a boat, sail out to the dead triton protectorate where the Corruption dwells, and use Selwyn’s commune with nature spell to determine where the creature is located.
After weighing in on the plan, Tally leaves for their rendezvous with Harry Harroway. They find him at a block of rooms near the waterfront, which are set aside for the crew of foreign vessels. Tally brings some nice wine, and the two spend the evening in pleasant conversation. Tally also learns that Harroway has been intimately involved with Usavias, although does not unearth the precise reason for the disagreement witnessed at the waterfront.
Meanwhile Amani has set off for their mother’s house, with plans for Selwyn and Khamet to meet them later. Amani lets Naila know that the party will soon head out to dead with the Corruption. Naila tries to talk Amani into staying with her- perhaps they could take on some more calligraphy commissions? Their handwriting is so lovely, after all! The best Amani can do is reiterate that they and the party will do what they can to keep each other safe. The pair embrace.
Naila suddenly remembers that a parcel from Asariel arrived for Amani. Amani opens it to reveal a letter and a selection of items: a starry blanket, some soaps and shampoo, and the replica songsword they had as a child. As they are reading the letter, they hear Khamet’s super-secret knock at the door. Naila answers. Enter, Khamet and Selwyn!
Amani shows Khamet a section of the letter where Asariel mentions that they and Pippi are working on a way to safely contain the marid Bubbles, but that Pippi will return when she has concluded this business. Selwyn has some trouble with the stairs as the trio head up to Amani’s room, but everyone eventually makes it there in one piece.
While they are there, Amani gives Khamet a diamond. Looking at it, Khamet can see that it is exactly the sort of diamond required for a revivify spell. He assures Amani that they are his friend and don’t need to repay him for saving their life, but he pockets the gem regardless. The trio spend many hours here in conversation, as friends are wont to do.
Back near the harbour, Thora is getting ready to perform for coin at a busy tavern. Many drunken sailors applaud her routine of castanets and dance as she accompanies her new friend, the violinist dragonborn Katu. Afterwards Katu buys her a drink and listen intently as Thora shares tales of her travels.
When Thora turns in for the night, she has made such an impression that she receives a room of her own with a nice big bed. Ben appears seated on the edge of that bed. He asks to sleep here with Thora for the night, as he would quite like to try sleeping in a bed like his friend does. Thora agrees, and they curl up together and fall asleep.
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Post by Rabbit ♠ on May 6, 2022 16:47:35 GMT -5
Since she's officially part of the fun, I think it's only fair to share Thora here.
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Post by Thorn on May 8, 2022 16:03:44 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis in six days, folks! See you then for a new adventure with Thora!
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Post by Thorn on May 11, 2022 18:16:48 GMT -5
Hey everyone! Under three days now until EuroAtlantis.
Will their new friend Thora, and their new magic items, be enough to help them take down the Corruption? We can only hope! Join me then to find out.
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Post by Thorn on May 13, 2022 16:22:26 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis tomorrow folks! See you then! :-D
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Post by Thorn on May 14, 2022 13:24:09 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis beginning now! Still missing a couple folks so if you see this: feel free to join us whenever!
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Post by Thorn on May 22, 2022 0:08:28 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis in under a week now! See you folks then!
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Post by Thorn on May 22, 2022 3:36:31 GMT -5
Session 75: Into the Grey TidesKey Notes:*The party trade three jars of Valdronan jam for Jynorzden's folding boat. *The party hire Vadonia to sail it, for 20gp. *The party fight five of the Corruption's followers, including the familiar blue triton Zoan.
Recap Proper:On the morning of the 20th of Iron, the party regroup and prepare to hunt down the Corruption.
But first, they must hunt down a boat.
While no legitimate sellers immediately present themselves, the strange old man who previously tried to sell Anthony his magic folding boat pops up out of nowhere and makes another attempt.
The man- Jynorzden, if the flaky wooden business card he gave Anthony is anything to go by- once more shows off his beautifully carved wooden box that can turn into different types of boats. He mentions that he collects gemstones, and would love some gems for this boat. Ultimately, however, Thora convinces him to trade the boat for three jars of Valdronan jam.
(It is excellent jam, after all.)
When the exchange is completed, Jynorzden runs full-speed at the water, throwing himself in and disappearing from sight.
The party remember that none of them know how to sail a ship. After discussing their options, they decide to ask Harbormaster Vadonia for aid. By offering him a solid payment of 20gp, they secure his services, and he rushes to tell a none-too-impressed Lysanthos that he will be gone with the party for some time.
For half a day or so, the party travel through cold calm ocean. Before long they realise that they are above the Grey Tides. Selwyn uses commune with nature to determine the location of the Corruption, and the party steer the ship into position above it. Selwyn can tell from his communion that the Corruption is an entity from a strange, primal plane. Knowing that the water below is full of necrotic eels that will bite at their skin and sicken them, the party plan ways to avoid them during their descent. Tally conjures a dome of ice around they, Amani and Basil; while Amani additionally casts their mage armour. With the aid of their magical candies, the party (minus Tally and Selwyn) take on merfolk forms for the descent. They leave Vadonia behind to take care of the ship.
The descent through swarms of eels is painful at times, but no serious threat to the group. It isn’t too long before the party see five figures swimming towards them: a group of triton, clearly hostile. The party recognise two of them: the turquoise triton woman who led them to Thalastria, and the darker blue triton man who travelled with her and later accompanied the party to meet with Ruhnzolarr. They know that the blue triton is named Zoan. The triton seem somehow to be shielded from the necrotic eels swarming around them.
As the triton ready their spears to attack, Anthony casts Fear. Three of the triton flee in terror, including Zoan and the turquoise woman. Anthony manages to kill a fourth triton before Zoan and the woman recover enough to swim back and confront the party.
With Elvish sign, Amani asks Zoan why he is protecting the Coruption. Zoan replies that the Corruption was unfairly imprisoned by the triton for trying to change the world in ways they disagreed with, and that the entity is precious to him and he won’t let them harm it. Tally notes that Zoan seems very scared throughout the combat.
Between them the party knock out Zoan, the turquoise triton woman, and a third unfamiliar triton. The dead triton is quickly devoured by necrotic eels, while the fifth never returns after Anthony frightened her away. The party restrain the three unconscious triton and gather around them, using the triton's protective aura to shield themselves from the effects of the Corruption.
The immediate danger now dealt with, the party take a moment to collect themselves before descending to face the Corruption below.
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Post by Thorn on May 24, 2022 18:28:52 GMT -5
EuroAtlantis in four days, folks! As the disasters descend into the ocean's depths, what will they discover? Potential friends? Or just this same slimy foe? Join me then to find out!
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