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Post by Thorn on Sept 25, 2022 20:27:37 GMT -5
Of course! It brings me so much joy that someone besides the party follows this game.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 1, 2022 1:12:43 GMT -5
Session 82: Fiends to FriendsKey Points:*The party learn of a fiend who specialises in breaking the contracts of other fiends.
*Selwyn learns some more of Tally's history in the Underdark, and what compelled her to seek the surface.
*The party encounter Pahra, and the drow are allowed to leave with the party in exchange for them finding Pahra a new source of fear. Recap Proper:After resting in Meadow’s cave, the party plan to set out and face whichever Pahra-adjacent demon has claimed the souls of Quelyta’s companions. Will is preparing to leave on his own quest, to locate the succubi the party recently freed and make sure they aren’t pressed into any disastrous dealings with archfiends. Tally tells him to ‘replenish his forces’ before he goes after the other succubi. Clearly emotional, Will grips Tally’s hand and thanks her.
Meadow tells the party about Velocity of the Law: a fiend who specialises in breaking other fiends’ contracts. She warns that this comes at a price: a contract with Velocity themself. However, it is an option the party could pursue should they desire to break the contract between the drow shadowsworn and the demon who captured them.
Tally opens up to Selwyn and discusses her background with him. As a younger drow, her parents sent her away to be a servant to the second eldest daughter of the Kenrahel family. The eldest daughter was once sent to assassinate her sister as a rite of passage. Tally intervened to save her lady, who was then assigned to kill Tally instead. This led to her helping Tally escape to the surface. Selwyn comments on how crazy the whole Underdark sounds, a sentiment with which Tally wholeheartedly agrees.
Too late, Tally notices that Quelyta has overheard this conversation. She is hurt by this dismissal of her people, and the suggestion that priestesses ‘make up’ speaking with the Shadow Queen.
“For what it’s worth; yes, I have heard our goddess,” Quelyta says, before stalking away.
After concluding her conversation with Selwyn, Tally seeks out Quelyta. The older drow is still wrestling with the thought she might never see her home or her family again. She also briefly speaks with Tally about the shadowsworn- a subject it is taboo to discuss outside of shadowsworn circles, and Tally understands how much trust she is placing in her here.
Will cautiously approaches the duo. Khamet asked him to speak with Tally about parenting and, even though he admitted he hasn’t been a great parent, he agreed to do so. Quelyta leaves Tally with Will.
“Khamet suggested I talk to you about parenting.”
Caught off guard, Tally doesn’t quite know how to respond. She suggests that this is neither the time nor place for that discussion. Will realises that she thinks he is coming on to her, and clarification is quickly offered. He says that the important thing when deciding whether or not to become a parent is establishing whether you are ready mentally and physically, and to make sure there aren’t other commitments in your life that could pull you away.
Will again thanks the party for rescuing him, before he disappears in search of the younger succubi. Amani is eyeing Meadow suspiciously- something isn’t right with this fiend! Amani very subtly strikes up a conversation, asking varying degrees of probing questions. The party learn that Meadow’s favourite colour is yellow, and that she likes to spend her spare time either in contemplation or with her children. Also, unlike the other succubi the party have met, Meadow can not shape-shift. This dryadic figure is her true form.
It turns out that Meadow has had fey friends in her time, and appreciated them. Amani asks if she knew Vystris. She admits she did not, but that she knew the devil Valdron, who knew Vystris. A friend of a friend, if that relationship can even be called friendship. The party also ask Meadow if she knows where a fear demon could be found. Meadow suggests two places: the Screaming Stream, and the Molten Meadow. Tally discovers that the aforementioned eldest Kenrahel heir, Zendasintra, is one of the captured Shadowsworn. She is a new shadowsworn being tested on her first surface assignment, with Quelyta as her supervisor. This unsettles Tally, but she resolves to save the group regardless. Quelyta says that she will vouch for Tally if the other drow tries to make a move against Tally, as they'll owe Tally a great debt for rescuing them from this place.
The Screaming Stream is closer than the Molten Meadow, and so the party set out in search of it. Selwyn is an experienced tracker, and easily filters out the many other distressing noises of hell to hone in on a particular sound: burbling water that sounds like humanoid screams. Strange visual distractions test the party, including a duplicate Basil that climbs out of a mirror (the two Basils predictably try to steal from each other, with only the real Basil succeeding.) The party press on regardless.
When they arrive at the Screaming Stream, the party see wailing faces pushing up out of the water, shrieking, before disappearing beneath. Tally manipulates some of the water into a bridge of ice, which stretches across the stream. Gruesome faces are still frozen in the ice, but at least it's easier to cross than the water!
On the other side there lie the ruins of a small town, stone walls crumbling in on themselves since time immemorial. Selwyn uses a locate monster spell to seek out the fiend, as it appears its identity is close enough to Pahra’s for them to track it using this spell. The party arrive at a small, ordinary home intact amongst the ruins.
Basil scopes out the scene. He peeks in each window, only to see visions of different scary goings-on within different houses: one room gutted by fire, another containing a person who was murdered, and so on. He concludes that none of these have happened within the house itself, and reveals to the party the unfortunate but not unexpected news: they need to enter the building itself to see exactly where the fiend is.
The hallway is long and lined with portraits that seem to follow the party with their eyes. With a pass without trace spell muffling their passage, the party make their way towards a room at the far end. When they carefully nudge the door open, they see a youthful elven figure lounging on a sofa: staring at the ceiling and humming to themself.
This is the fiend the party were looking for, and they are most definitely Pahra.
While Khamet and Cepith assume position in the hall, the rest of the party enter the room and take up ready positions. Basil hides under one arm of the sofa, dagger at the ready, while Amani takes shelter behind a curtain. Tally approaches Pahra and gets his attention. Their eyes wander towards her and focus: they express delight at this little magic trick that hid Tally from their view. They recognise Tally as the drow who fought against them and the Circle Enshadowed, and unlike Wisp they identity directly as Pahra himself. However, they seem to bear no ill will against Tally for earlier events.
Inspired by Wisp, Tally asks if the fiend would like to try an orange. Pahra’s stomach audibly growls, and they seem embarrassed. They insist that they are a powerful fiend who subsists on fear! However, they would not be opposed to trying mortal food as a novel experience, if Tally was willing to share. Perhaps. If she would be so kind.
Anthony approaches and suggests the party watch The Birds, a horror film that he perhaps finds scarier than most given the subject matter. Anthony, Pahra, Tally and Basil bunch up on the couch and spend the next couple of hours watching the film. Meanwhile, Amani is uncomfortably wondering how to get out from behind the curtain and find a bathroom, and Cepith and Khamet share a moment (or several of them, rather) out in the hall. Cepith is resting with his head against Khamet’s shoulder by the time the movie wraps up, and Pahra is delighted at the bursts of fear they have experienced from the couch crew.
(he is still hungry in the more conventional sense. Pahra proceeds to bug Basil for snacks, which they then happily munch on.)
The spell having worn off, Pahra can now see the rest of the party. It is revealed that the Shadow Queen had promised a certain number of drow souls to him, and so the shadowsworn were lured to the surface and sent to Pahra to fulfil this bargain. Discussions are had, and the party agree to help Pahra find a new, fearful home in exchange for the release of the drow prisoners. They suggest the Lake of Fire, as the party were there beset by frightening visions. Pahra seems open to the idea. Xil'grash offers to float the idea by Mikin.
Pahra sidles up to Tally and confesses to her their discomfort with the way they have changed since their encounter with the God-Forger: they now experience mortal hunger, and recently developed their very first crush. They think it's all very gross and weird. Tally offers to speak with Pahra about feelings and crushes at some stage, a prospect which they appear eager to take her up on.
The party finally meet the five captured shadowsworn, who are all dressed in dark leathers and marked with the same purple lines as Quelyta. Tally and Zendasintra exchange glasses: the woman looks much like Yzzy. The drow are exhausted, quiet and subdued for the main part; but prepare to accompany the party as they set out to track down the Deceiver and retrieve the God-Forger once and for all...
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Post by Thorn on Oct 2, 2022 16:46:53 GMT -5
Six days until EuroAtlantis, friends! See you all then!
The party prepare to pursue the Deceiver, the fiend currently in possession of the God-Forger...while the party themselves are accompanied by several exhausted drow warriors, an equally exhausted human, a teenage fiend, a bug-fiend, and two small plushies that are definitely also fiends.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 4, 2022 14:56:30 GMT -5
Euroatlantis in four days, folks. See you then!
Also, the recap is complete.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 7, 2022 0:54:39 GMT -5
Well under two days until EuroAtlantis! Looking forward to adventuring with you all again.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 8, 2022 18:10:40 GMT -5
Session 83: Names Learned!Vicotra (she/her): one of the Shadowsworn. She ventured to shake Khamet's hand when he offered this greeting, and watched Amani draw surface elves, in contrast to the other Shadowsworn who kept their distance.
Fredvalenci, Ear of Flowers (he/him): a young fiend Pahra seems to have a crush on. He helped the party get to the Auction House so they could make a play for the God-Forger.
Jilval the Swordmaster (he/him): a blue cambion who seems to have past beef with Xil'grash.
Limetra (she/her): a demon with six arms, wielding a sword in each. Is somehow connected to Tynestra.
Onyxheart (he/him): a young dragon who took on the form of a tiefling to contest the party for the God-Forger. Ended up fleeing after sustaining heavy injuries from Khamet.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 9, 2022 3:20:41 GMT -5
Session 83: Auctions and AnimosityKey Points:*The party meet the Shadowsworn drow.
*The party meet Fredvalenci, a young fiend who helps them access the Auction House.
*The party fight the Deceiver and others for possession of the God-Forger. Recap Proper:Tally telepathically contacts her small plush fiend friend, Pirate. She asks Pirate to telepathically tell the party to not mention Yzzy to this group (minus Selwyn, who has never met Yzzy anyway.) Pirate does so, and assures Tally the message has been received.
The party gather the Shadowsworn drow together; where Selwyn attempts to gently probe them about their religion while Amani does their best to reassure the drow they aren't out to hurt them. Most of the drow are unreceptive, and Quelyta- the only one among them who speaks Common- says that it will take time. They are taught that the surface is full of people just waiting to hurt them, who stole their rightful home away from them, and it can take a lot to work past a lifetime of hearing this sentiment.
One of the drow, Vicotra, does at least sit with Amani and watch them sketch a few surface elves to show that they are not drow-eating monsters, and also that they are not shiny like Amani themself. Amani explains that they are a sorcerer, and that their appearance is a gift from a powerful entity.
Selwyn is upset that the Shadowsworn took his line of questioning as rude, and confides in Tally. Tally reiterates how awful the surface sounds to drow (bright! Loud! Seeking to destroy you and everyone you care about!) When Selwyn confesses that he finds it difficult to imagine living in such a society, Tally provides more context for the ritualised survival tests such as her former lady was exposed to. In the Underdark resources such as water and air are scarce, and so there is an emphasis on proving that one is worthy of the resources one expends. Selwyn muses that his picturesque mountain home was similar, but that they never resorted to killing one another.
Tally also points out more positive aspects of life in the Underdark. For example, motherhood is highly valued. It is seen as a gift, and something to be celebrated and nurtured. She does however admit that this leads to a form of toxic positivity among the drow, with them being proud of the drow as a race of survivalists for thriving in unideal circumstances.
Meanwhile Khamet talks with Pahra about how the fiend came to meet the Shadow Queen, and how it was she granted them drow souls when the Shadow Queen has such a notoriously tight grip over her drow. Pahra's memories of interactions with her are hazy, but they recall first hearing the deity in a dark place never before touched by the sun, where the Everqueen's presence is not felt. She said she would help them achieve godhood via the God-Forger, and grant Pahra souls in exchange for some favours. When Khamet presses as to the nature of the favours, Pahra can not clearly recall, but believes the purpose was to wake the dreaming deity. Since the souls were transferred to Pahra's ownership, it seems they may have succeeded.
Khamet also talks to Pahra about acting. Some people want to feel fear, so they go to scary shows to make them feel it! Pahra is intrigued by this notion. It is also suggested that Pahra stop taking on different forms, so that the audience will love the actor rather than just their roles. Pahra seems uncomfortable, briefly taking refuge behind Tally. They insist that they don't want to be openly out about about in their true form. They will, however, choose a primary form to represent them on the surface. Khamet considers this a reasonable compromise.
The topic is broached on whether or not it is possible to make a fiend not a fiend. Pahra mentions that everyone knows the old stories of fiends being transformed through the powers of love, but he knows nothing concrete.
The party return to Meadow, and from there plan their next moves. They ask Pahra if it is possible for him to relinquish ownership of these six drow souls. He says even if there is some way to do this, he doesn't know how. He can free the souls if their owners die, and thus the souls are no longer tethered to corporeal forms, but he doesn't know how to do so while they still reside within living flesh.
Meadow informs the party that Velocity of the Law lives at the top of a mountain flowing with lava where there is, inexplicably, a lush glade. However, the Shadowsworn resist the idea of freeing their souls from Pahra at the price of a contract with another fiend. The party decide to put the idea aside for now, and perhaps return to it later if they can gain the warrior priestesses' trust.
Eventually the party decide to seek out an ally of the Deceiver: a young fiend named Fredvalenci, who should be able to put them in contact. Pahra has strange and unfamiliar warm feelings towards Fred, which he does not discuss further, but which look to reflect the crush earlier mentioned to Tally.
Fredvalenci has two very beautiful faces, gorgeous long hair, and a body that is a nightmare of tangled limbs and faces with elongated arms and legs. The party are disturbed, but Pahra remains smitten. The party learn that the Deceiver is currently holding an auction for a powerful artifact. Fred doesn't plan to attend, but upon learning the party wish to do so he hands each of them a small card, which will transport them to the Auction House when they prick their finger and bleed onto it. The party are suspicious, but Fred insists this is no fiendish trickery. The party eventually decide it's worth a shot.
Before they depart, Cepith and Khamet hold hands and look into each other's eyes and exchange some words in their native tongue. It is extremely subtle (by which I mean not at all.)
The party activate the cards, and are instantly transported to the bottom of a beautiful staircase in a grand chamber. At the far end, a huge red figure sits behind a desk, quietly watching all. At their side the Deceiver holds the God-Forger aloft while various entities make their bids. Among them are several fiends, a mind flayer, and what seems to be a softly glowing celestial lion. Upon seeing the party arrive, the Deceiver brandishes the God-Forger and adds a new condition: she will only consider the offers of those who can kill one or more of these intruders.
Xil'grash charges up to a blue cambion named Jilval- his apparent mortal nemesis! Tynestra, most famous for ambushing the party on the road that one time; makes her reappearance alongside a fiend with the lower body of a snake and the upper body of a six-armed woman. The celestial lion suggests that the party band with him to secure the God-Forger and get it safely into celestial hands. Unfortunately for him, the party do not particularly trust celestials either.
A pallid young tiefling man spits acid across Khamet and several Shadowsworn, flooring one of the drow in a single move. Angered, Khamet charges up and smites him. The young man soon flees.
"Onyxheart, you coward!" Tynestra cries out, as she continues firing arrows at Khamet. Before long Tally is right there in her face and she is forced to change focus.
Meanwhile, the snake-like woman has knocked out Cepith. Selwyn manages to get him back on his feet, and together with several other members of the party (as well as two fey, summoned by Amani and Selwyn) they bring down the serpentine demon. Tynestra initially moves to aid her companion in escaping but, seeing her fall to the party, turns back and prepares to flee.
The Deceiver is also fleeing. Amani has telekinetically stolen the God-Forger (which was later snatched up by Basil), and the Deceiver knows when she is beaten. Basil and Khamet dealt her hefty blows, and told her to tell the other fiends to back down, but when the other fiends declared they don't really care what she wants the party let the Deceiver make her escape.
The session finishes mid-combat. Can the party catch Tynestra? Is the God-Forger safe? Who is the mysterious figure watching from the desk at the far end of the room? Join me next time to find out!
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Post by Thorn on Oct 9, 2022 5:08:48 GMT -5
Wow, this campaign ended up having a lot of dragons right? Let's take a trip down dracomemory lane!
Ruhnzolarr: the first dragon the party knowingly met in person. This gold dragon ate a few people, but they're past that now! He made a blood pact with Anthony (which resulted in Anthony becoming a draconic sorcerer), and has been invited to Anthony's wedding.
Xendras (he/him): an ancient blue dragon who has led the Extratemporal Bureau for as long as anyone can remember. He poses as a blue dragonborn, but the party discovered he was truly a dragon while investigating the Temporal Fortress.
Vederax (he/him) and Nadarr (he/him): two half-dragons of very different appearances! Vederax, adopted son of Xendras, looks like a black dragonborn with a tail. Nadarr the ranger, meanwhile, more closely resembles a scaled elf with a tail and horns.
Ebony Raven Onyxheart (he/him): a young dragon the party fought in humanoid form in the Auction House. After a lot of draconic swearing as Khamet smote him, he wisely opted to flee.
Cyrroviati (usually referred to as she/her): a powerful silver dragon and spellcaster who brought magic to the people of a fledgling settlement in Varentar. After her death, she was interred beneath the now-city, which became known as Dragon's Rest.
Honorable mentions: -that one dead dragon who turned a bunch of people into feral draconic beasties when they ate it.
-AllPraiseTheGreatCrystalDragon.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 22, 2022 13:01:56 GMT -5
One week until EuroAtlantis folks! See ya then!
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Post by Thorn on Oct 26, 2022 14:32:21 GMT -5
Three days until EuroAtlantis, folks! Tune in as a bunch of otherworldly beings realize they've turned up to the worst auction of their lives...
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Post by Thorn on Oct 28, 2022 20:35:23 GMT -5
Less than a day until Euroatlantis! See you then.
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Post by Thorn on Oct 29, 2022 13:43:46 GMT -5
Hey folks! Session is currently in progress, but we're down a few players. Feel free to join in whenever you're available! BreakingchainsMoni
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Post by Thorn on Nov 7, 2022 14:12:27 GMT -5
Five days until EuroAtlantis! See you folks then!
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Post by Thorn on Nov 9, 2022 15:56:47 GMT -5
Just three days now until EuroAtlantis!!!! See you folks then!
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Post by Thorn on Nov 11, 2022 15:21:42 GMT -5
Euroatlantis tomorrow folks! See you very soon!
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