WotBS Lykkenthrope's War of the Burning Sky

[lykkenthrope]

Sorry for the late post. We have had our Session 5 and 6.

Session 5:

CRUELPIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD

Upon reaching the Church of the Aquiline Cross (the location of the safehouse Torrent had suggest every go to at the end of last session) it was quick for them all to realize that Gate Pass was very divided in how to they wanted the City to respond to Ragesia; some want to rise up, others want to give up, and there's far too much racial judgment in the air for most of the groups liking.

Sorien heard a familiar song being played by a bard at the front of the church. It was a song often heard on the front lines of the Resistance, played in a minor key changing the hopefully tune to a mournful dirge. Torrent asked the bard to play a less inflammatory song, and Sorien tried giving the bard some gold for the gift of her song—as off putting as it was, it brought back memories of Gate Pass surviving this type of invasion once before 40 years prior. His words were not received well.

As the bard finished playing, a mob had gathered around a scared half-orc women near the center of the Church. The loudest voice in the group wanted her tossed out for “being why their homes were destroyed”. Ze snuck into the shadows upon realizing why the mob didn’t like the woman and our Dragonborn Reshi took the opposite approach and stepped in to confront the mob. This made others join the mob and turn their attention to the group (a very half-orc heavy group). Thankfully Grom came forward, slapped the loudest speaking man unconscious, grabbed the woman and lead her out of the church, deescalating the situation.

A member of the church came out to find the remaining group and took them to meet Buron Watcher in an underground room. Buron could not read the book and offered to have a few pages transcribed so the Order could try and send pieces of the book ahead to the Lyceum to start work on what type of cypher would be needed.

Buron also pointed the group to meet with Erdan Menash, a council member who was well known for aiding adventurers as a possible means for getting out of Gate Pass.

Reshi, Torrent and Grom settled in a long rest

Ze went to Sorien after she knew the rest of the group was asleep and had a private conversation with him. Ze told Sorien that she felt out-of-place and unrecognized for any of her efforts. Sorien did not wish to pry into what was clearly a sensitive topic, instead he shared a personal experience with struggling for acceptance within Gate Pass as a Wood Elf, and how ultimately he only found a semblance of peace by living a life that he, at least, considered good. Sorien reassured Ze that until proved wrong by any possible betrayal, he found her behavior to be good and virtuous. Ze then settled in for her rest.

Sorien did take note that Vic opted for a short rest, and came back very late covered in ink. (Vic stayed with the book as it was being transcribed and copied a new spell into her spellbook. She also picked up a book to start learning Infernal.)

Grom was visited by the voice in his head during his dream. The dream was him falling into a star filled void, with flashes of color all around. He felt at peace. He was told by the voice "Great Warrior there is still innocence in this world that is flickering somewhere between life and death. A choice must be made between forever dreaming or the accepting the bitterness that is life. A fight will be had. A fight that only Freedom could bring.”

Spoiler: DM Note, Potential Story Spoiler

iykyk this tiny little dream blurb took me forevere to weave in future story references that would seem inoccuous, but could later be re-read for actual meaning than just waht appears to be a vague Kingdom Hearts-esque fever dream.

Spoiler: DM Note, Behind the Screen

I still do Propriety's voice in Groms's head behind the table in a private chat. Grom's PC is doing an excellent job role playing the quintessential dumb, trusting Barbarian. He does tell the group about his interactions with "the voice in his head" in his own way, in terms/words that Grom would know. The rest of the party hasnt questioned anything though. Sorien is the main one who has made comments that Grom must be blessed by a higher power. My favorite was Vic trying to question Grom if the voice was just his personal inner monologue. Lots of laughs ensued.

The next morning, the group recalled that Reshi was sponsored into the party by Pippen and Pippen had been close friends with Erdan Menash. Reshi was able to remember that he had met Erdan a few times socially over the last two months. Not enough to be friends, but they should both recognize each other. With that, Sorien powerfully suggested that instead of the whole group going to speak with the councilman they just send Reshi and one other. Despite being a Barbarian, Grom has shown a strength for diplomacy and peace, so he was tasked with going with Reshi. (plus if they ran into danger, Grom is who you would want with you).

Reshi and Grom made it to Erdans manor and were graciously invited in.

Erdan did remember Reshi and while they did not bring Erdan into the fold with what exactly was going on, they were able to imply they needed to get out to get reinforcements for Gate Pass and that was enough to convince Erdan to help. Just as he had decided to start writing the letter to Captain Menash, Erdan got a note from the City Council, that the Mayor had unilaterally decided to give into Ragesia’s demands and would be letting the inquisitors in at dawn the following day.

Erdan had a meeting to go, but told Reshi and Grom to return with their party to gather weapons from his private storage before they went to the Barracks, but to know his arsenal might be needed for the up coming defense of Ragesia so to be sparing.

(Will post Session 6 tomorrow! Make sure to check back in, it was by far the best session yet!)

 

[RangerWickett]

Ever time I run this adventure, I free associate into new weird items for Erdan to give the party.

Last time was a Bear mask that gives you a bite attack when you wear it. One PC put it on his horse, lol.

 

[lykkenthrope]

Ever time I run this adventure, I free associate into new weird items for Erdan to give the party.

Last time was a Bear mask that gives you a bite attack when you wear it. One PC put it on his horse, lol.

Mine currently don't know that their items are magical (and in one case specifically asked me if it could be "empty" for them to find someone to enchant it with what they want which I obliged since they loved the weapon so much. The highlights are:

• a Maul that the smashy bit looks like a sloth and reduces the targets movement speed by half on a successful hit till the end of its next turn.
• a pink cross bow that looks like a Pterodactyl (which my PC saw the reference and immediately named Kimberly) and since her other animal was a crane, on the first successful hit per short/long rest the creature hit must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be deafened for 1d4 rounds (which is an attack the crane can do in 5e)
• A kraken dagger, which looks like two tentacles wrapped around one blade, but when thrown the two other tentacles will eject and hit the target for 1d4 damage each. Must with intent on a short or long rest put the knife back together (riffed this idea off another homebrew knife I saw)
• And the best one: the Powerpuff Axe: Three great axe heads combined on different planes (so one could essentially, thrust forward with a shovel axe top, slash horizontally across, and then pull up and vertically slice--ive already caveated that to do that would be two actions or atleast an action and a frenzied bonus action. its mostly for flavor currently) and each blade is a different color (one pink, one green, and one blue). Its currently a +1 and if you listen carefully you can hear it humming with antipatory enegery, waiting to be imbue with magic.

 

[lykkenthrope]

SESSION 6:

CRUELPIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD

Spoiler: DM Note

As referenced in an earlier post, I was worried my group had not paid attention to/inquired about important story lore from session 1. So I went into this session with a revamping of the hook. Had Torrent take the "L" for being vague and spent the first 10 minutes of the session on intro lore and how this case/book is bigger than just saving Gate Pass. It was the exact right thing to do, I had so much engagement afterwards.

With the group back together at the Safe House and apprised of the plan with Captain Herreman, Torrent had the group sit down for a final meeting while in a private space. Torrent revealed more information about the plan, that it could be more than just delivering the case to the Lyceum. She explained that their had been another group preparing to gather the case from Rivereye, but in the week before the schedule meet all had either been murdered, died mysteriously, or taken to jail on espionage charges. After explaining the likely presence of spies within the Resistance, and the likelihood that foes from various factions would be hunting them down, Torrent then explained the development of the “Scourge” and that it was likely a front for Leska to kill all Mages on the Continent. Afterwards Torrent asked everyone if they were still willing to go along with the plan.

Thankfully everyone did.

The group then left for the Barracks. At the next intracity gate they saw a group of Ragesian soldiers with a student from Gabal’s school as their prisoner being escorted through Gate Pass by City Guards. The tone of the crowd was one of either silence or support. This caused Reshi and Vic to cover themselves a bit more with their cloaks.

As they neared the Barracks they noticed some haggard Guards following them. The group couldn’t tell if they were following them, or just walking towards the Barracks same as them. The party being overly paranoid now decided to take a slightly longer back way to the Barracks. Ze slipped into the shadows to watch the rear. As the rest of the party turned into the alley way, Sorien saw a flash of red hair and saw Rantle jumping down to greet him.

The two shared a friendly greeting, after which Rantle asked for a favor in delivering a message to his sister. After explaining that hopefully she had gone to the Lyceum once rumors started of Ragesia coming to Gate Pass, and that’s where the group was going, they agreed. Sorien took possession of the Scroll after making Rantle promise to keep an eye on the Taranesti slums while he is away.

Ze was able to sneak up on Rantle and after a good laugh between the two friends, Ze privately asked Rantle if he had heard from Rhuarc, to which he explained that he had not heard from Rhuarc or one of his messengers since getting the note he gave to Ze about needing to go to the Poison Apple Pub.

With that Rantle took his leave and the group made their way safely to the Barracks.

After a small exchange with Captain Herreman

Spoiler: DM Note

I found a very thirst trappy half-orc captain image for Captain Herremen and all my in game female PCs had a great time trying to get him to flirt with them.

, the group had a small rest and gathered supplies needed for the journey. The party was able to successfully get past the guards at the gate and made it out of Gate Pass’s outer gate.

As the group continued down the road, they entered the Gauntlet and was ambushed by Black Horse Mercenaries.

Ze and Grom’s horses both spooked at the thundercrack, but in opposite directions. Ze heading back towards Gate Pass and Grom onward. Torrent, Vic, Reshi, and Sorien bravely faced off against the scouts and Vic using Gabal’s Magic Missile was alerted to Renard and his thug hiding just around the bend waiting to charge.

After dispatching the one scout before he could blow his warning horn, the other scout--very injured-- disengaged and ran. They were able to reach Ze’s horse and went riding back towards Gate Pass. Sorien went to collect Ze on his horse while the other three started their assault on the Black Horse Leader.

~Meanwhile~

Grom made it to the first major turn (nearly 250 yards away) before getting control of his horse back. The voice in his head had been quiet since his dream the night before finally spoke to him about "smelling Justice in the air". As he was pondering what that could mean, he was surprised by another thug waiting in the bushes. Using his horse, Grom was able to trample the thug, knock him prone and continue on down the road…yup, away from his party. “There are five of them, they have it handled, I'm making sure the way is safe for them.” said a very assured and polite Grom. (the knocked prone thug figured his friends up ahead could deal with Grom and he started making his way to help Renard)

Further down the road Grom encountered two additional thugs. One of the thugs remembered Grom from the Poison Apple Pub and became immediately frightened and ran away. After a brief fisticuffs with the remaining thug, Grom was able to knock him prone and get away on his horse. And with some skillful luck, was able to snatch the running thug (named Romulus) off the ground as he continues riding down the road.

And that is where the session ended.

Session 7 will be next week. Going to be a shorter session just finishing up the fight and any road exploring they may do.

 

[lykkenthrope]

Session 7:

Cruelpigs party do not read upon pain of toad.

Brief recap: Party is in the Gauntlet on the way out of Gate Pass and being attacked by the Black Horse thugs. Grom’s horse startled and bolted pretty far down the pass (and then he kept going off on his own) and the rest of the party (Sorien, Vic, Reshi, Ze, and Torrent) are making a stand at the top of pass.

Dropping straight into action with this fight.

The main group was having a go of things with attacks connecting, but not having a huge damage follow through. Eventually, with some great team work (Sorien grappling a thug and Ze using her shadow and sneak attack) were able to fell the rest of the thugs so it was just 4 v Renard. At this point Reshi felt 1) confident the group could handle the Black Horse Leader and 2) had the most consistent range attacks with his spells that he should head off looking for Grom (worried about more ambushes)

Switching to Grom—on the other side of the map—was still holding on to a black horse thug (He had met this Thug, now named Romulus, Session 1 at the Poison Apple Pub) and riding down the pass. In a sudden spark of self-awareness, Grom asked the thug why his people were attacking his friends. Romulus was able to convince Grom that the other bandits weren’t his friends and Grom’s friends were his friends. The thug then produced a horn and Grom let him use it.

Spoiler: Fun Spoiler-y Fact

Grom's PC had asked for this Black Horse Thug to make reapperences throughout the Campaign and--if possible--eventually have the thug have his own "I've traveled and trained and able to take you on now Grom" storyline that was happening in the background. So I’m hoping to work in Romulus sometime in the future when the reach another city and eventually have a big “lets fight” moment when/if the group makes it back to Gate Pass”

After this interaction Grom turned his horse around and began to go back up the Gauntlet towards the main group (still well over 300 ft and two big blind curves away).

Grom eventually saw Reshi as Reshi rounded a hill and decided to let Romulus go, saying something of the sorta that "Reshi was an attack first ask questions later type friend." Romulus didnt think twice and booked it down the road.

Reshi's horse unfortunetly got spooked by something and went into a straight gallop and went racing past Grom. Grom, being Grom, decided Reshi wasnt coming for him and trusted that Reshi knew what he was going and wanted to find the rest of the group so he didnt follow.

Reshi, on a slightly uncontrollable horse, rode right into the ambush of the thugs and scouts that had been alerted by the horn call. Reshi almost met his end. Miraculously, he was able to get his horse under control--it was a well trained Warhorse after all--he was able to bolt for saftey back up the pass. . Saying a small prayer to the fallen dragons to protect his back from arrows. His prayers were answered as 3 crossbow bolts whizzed by his head narrowly missing him.

Back to main party: While this was happening, everyone else was able to take down Renard. Vic, using a Vine Whip spell taught to her by the Artificer that saved her life after Ragesia and the Inquisitors attacked her village, she was able to pull Renard off his horse and keep him bound while everyone else attacked.

Unlike other thugs and scouts, Renard was too proud of ask for mercy.

They took Renards arm band and found a note on his person listing the bounty for a group that was described eerily like their group and offering a 10,000 Gold reward for the mages to be delivered alive and all the belongings, including all books, to be returned to Ragesian Inquisitors.

Vic, Ze, Torrent, and Sorien got back on the horses (Ze taking Renard’s horse as hers was taken by the Scout that got away) and they continued down the road. What felt striaght out of a Bluey episode, the session could not continue until I named the horses. So the Warhourses were named Cabbage, Carrot (two horses from my groups Strahd campaign) followed by Potato, Raddish, Ginseng, and the horse the took from the thugs is named Katerina.

Back to Reshi who was currently being pursued by thugs: Grom had heard the fighting behind him and turned around at the top of the pass. Right as he went riding back down to help Reshi, the rest of the group crested the hill and the gang was finally back together.

Suddenly, Kathor came riding into view. The moment Kathor locked eyes with Grom, their minds connected. Grom leaned into the connect and saw what appeared to be a few years younger Kathor in a barn with a dark being approaching him from behind. He then saw the being touch Kathor, searing pain went down the mental connection. Grom could not infer much from the vision, all he could gather was that he (grom) was not personally scared. He was just filled with a sense of…Propriety…whatever that word meant.

Once this vision cleared, Grom felt an instant connection to Kathor. He felt like he was the brother he never had, So when Kathor called for the other thugs to stand down Grom trusted his actions. The group has been used to Grom being a trustworthy litmus test of patience and diplomacy and hestiantly also stood down.

Kathor introduced himself and some in the group instantly recognized his name as the son of a Ragesian general. Though, he quickly explained that he had left the army and was not on good terms with his father. He explained that he had joined the black horse thugs, but had not been happy with their eagerness to take bounties from the inquisitors and round up magic users, for obvious reasons and he nodded towards Grom. (Though Grom had not shared any of his vision with the Grom)

Kathor explained that he was happy that they had killed Renard, they had done what he could not, as Renard was a butcher and had no morals when it came to making money. Kathor trusted the remaining thugs, as they were his men and Renards had been at the front of the ambush. He took his own Black Horse Band off and said they would form a new group. Times were changing.

Kathor stated he would do what he could to slow down any other parties coming after them…maybe make a rock slide block the road that could have happened during an intense battle.

Before they left Kathor asked them to find a cave up ahead…that Renard had chases a sorcerer in there and there had been a bitter stand off. Kathor wasn’t sure if he was still alive, but he would be grateful if we could check along our way. Sorien realized that Kathor was asking this as he felt a kinship to the sorcerer. In another life or even in a few days if the wrong people found out, that could have been him.

With that, the group continued on down the Gauntlet and the session ended right as they came upon the cave.

Spoiler: DM Note

I wanted to personally thank almost everyone who has ever posted their WotBS Gate Pass write ups, you really helped me figure out how to use the campaign guide and add in my own flair, though I'm sure you all can see some of your influences in this write up. It went really well and has set a great stage and intrigue for whats to come.

 

[lykkenthrope]

eek. Well, the group is currently in the middle of the Forest of Fire, just finished Session 14. I just finished getting caught up on all my write ups (life happened HARD) so I'll try and post them all over the course of the next week!

CRUELPIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD

Session 8:

Preface: I realized this session that the 3.5, 4, and 5e all had minor (and some major) changes to the timeline. I had been using all three guides for lore and using 5e for the encounters. As such I had to retcon my history and make my own tailored master timeline for my group's campaign. Main changes are: 150 years ago. Coaltongue born, 105. He forms his alliances and takes over Ragos, 90 years ago Indomitablilty trapped in lake, 85. Leska's journey, 40 years ago. Gate Pass becomes independent throwing out Ragesian forces, then everything else as written. The only person this effected was Sorian: I had to make him younger, so he would have been a child when the Forest was set ablaze.

Session started with them coming upon the cave they assumed Kathor told them about. While the party weighed pros and cons of going inside (it seemed like a pretty obvious trap), Grom, who felt a positive connection with Kathor, decided he was going to do to what “new brother” asked of him. Seeing him enter safely, everyone else followed, except for Reshi. His PC couldn’t join for the session so we had his character wait by the entrance as a look out.

Once inside the cave opened up and split off into three unremarkable tunnels. Sorian was able to recall that these caves were typically used for religious offerings, most often during the New Years Festival of Dreams that had just occurred. They should expect to run into any wildlife living in them, but they should tread respectfully.

After a game of ennie-meanie-minie-moe, they chose the first tunnel to explore. They quickly came upon a sleeping sorcerer locked behind iron bars. They attempted to wake him up, but no use. After dutifully checking for traps, Ze was able to open the lock with her thieves tools. It was only upon closer inspection that they realized he was dead. Vic was able to summarize that he had frozen to death and noticed he was wrapped in a faded, but once beautiful shroud. They also discovered he was grasping a note that said “please don’t let my death be in vain”. Ze, Grom and Vic all took the time to say a prayer over the body and went to lay him a small grave they had Sorien dig during the prayers. When the group went to lay the man in the grave they saw the images of the 4 primordial creatures on the should spring to life and dance across the shroud in a creature myth before settling back down into place. All who witnessed this realized it had become a dream shroud. Vic was able to take possession of the shroud.

The group surprisingly then did take the time to explore the other two tunnels. One lead to a chest filled with gold, rubies, and bounty slips that could be turned into money at any Ragesian fort. The last tunnel contained what appeared to be simple daggers (no one examined them) and glowing mushrooms. Grom did make a very poor decision and tried to eat one of the shiny mushrooms and ended up giving himself a small tummy ache.

As it was growing late (they had been traveling all morning and the battle with the Black Horse Thugs took a while), they hunkered down in the cave for the evening for a short rest wanting to leave a little before first light. Sorian took watch as he only needed to do a trance and allowed everyone else to have their full short rest. Or that was the plan…

Something about the residual, hopefully magic in these caves brought dreams to each of the players.

Sorian: Dreamed of his life in the Innentodar forest when he was a small child. He got to see his family, most notably his older brother. He relived when the Ragesian army attacked and started burning the forest and the chaos that ensued. He relieved his brother dying while protecting him and this triggering Sorian's first ever Rage. As a path of the ancestors barbarian, he was able to see through the dream that his first ever rage ancestor was his brother.

He then fell into a fever dream of prophecy. He saw Coaltongue working with Shalalhdel, and then his dream warped into a heavy Jungle where he met a protector Sloth spirit. (The hammer he got from Menash was a Sloth hammer). He was cautious around the Sloth and when he took a defensive stance, his dream abruptly ended. He felt closer to his weapon, but not fully attuned. His memory of the dream became fuzzy,

Vic: Her dream also started with a memory of her with her family. She saw her cleric mother, her paladin father (both members of the Aquiline Cross), and her older sister at the counter trying to teach her the light cantrip. It then morphed into the night at Ragesa invaded to stop “a possible rebellion” and was rounding up the more powerful magic users. Vic saw her father fall to raised undead being controlled by a senior Inquisitor

Spoiler: DM Note.

I made an artistic adjustment that younger inquisitors have the bone masks, and that higher level inquisitors get silver/gold masks, still shaped like a skull of some sort. This was purely because of art I could find online.

Vic then saw her older sister being dragged off by a Ragesian solider being followed by two younger inquisitors, one in a bone harpy mask and one in a bone bear mask. She confronted the bear mask inquisitor and in her dream the inquisitor morphed into a real bear. This dream then quickly swirled away and Vic was in the middle of the ocean in a boat. All was quiet. She was then met by a Kraken (the knife she found at Menash’s was a shaped like a kraken tentacle) and after an brief interaction she attuned with her blade and her blade now could impose poison to a target that failed Con. Save. And it would take an action to wipe out the poison.

Ze: Ze fell into her dream and was the only to realize she was in a dream. However, she was back in her childhood home and decided to go along with the dream. She missed these memories. However, the scene went from safe and warm and quickly went to treacherous. There were Ragesian soldiers at her door, her military father trying to keep them from coming inside. They were saying Ze needed to be presented to be “tested”. Her mother helped smuggle her out and told her to run and not stop. She then entered a never ending hallway and was visited by visions of bears, harpies, wendigos, etc. before being engulfed in fire and ending up in Seaquen where she was rescued by a shadowed man.

Spoiler: DM Note

I was purposely vague with Ze’s dream as she is the bear inquisitor from Vic’s past. When Vic tried to use fireball to save her sister and accidentally blew off her arm, Ze used that moment to fake her death with the Inquisitors and run for a new life. She then met Rhuarc’s people in the city and was brought to him for training. Ze is currently unaware of Rhuarcs motivations or actions within the last year

Ze’s weapon from Mensash was a Mahi Mahi (aka. Dolphin the fish) dagger. Ze dream was engulfed by shadows and she ended up underwater and couldn’t breathe. Her shadow helped lead her to the surface where she was approached by crystal dolphins (actual mammal dolphins). Ze declined their help, three times. And Ze was grabbed out of the water by a Shadow Rhuarc and told that she could run, but he would find her. He had need of her and she had a debt to pay. She then woke up, pretty rattled.

Grom: I realized I either didn't do the write up for this one or it was deleted, so I'll include it with my Session 9 post!

Reshi: Reshi’s PC was actually out sick, so we will retcon his dream in at the start of session 9.

Upon waking, most of the players were very introspective and didn’t want to talk to each other about their visions…still processing the emotional damage. As they began their last trek down the Gauntlet they were able to take in the views, enjoy the warming weather, and Vic noticed that the air was tinged with not only cinders, but with fire magic.

Thankfully without much ado, they cleared the last of the mountains and could finally see the last expanse that lay before them before reaching the Forest of Fire. From the vantage point they had, they saw two paths to the bridge they needed to cross into the Forest. One was to take the main road they were on, but it passed close by a small farm (though the couldn’t see anyone on the farm) or they could go around the farm and travel over the slightly hilly and rocky terrain. The group decided to stay on the main road.

As they approached the farm they were approached by a young woman who introduced herself as Crystin. She shared a vision of the future with them and claimed she and her father were mages and needed the groups help. Most in the group were suspicious of Crystin, but she managed to convince them that she foresaw the Ragesians coming for her and her father tomorrow at midday and without the group either helping them stop them or letting them go with them, she and her father would perish.

While the group remained undecided, they were very tired and the sun was about 1 hour from setting, so they took Crystin up on her offer of food and lodging for a rest and “would talk more about the logistics of her family joining them”.

Crystin had displayed a few odd behaviors and Vic, our resident Wizard, wanted to try and see what type of magic Crystin had, During her arcana sweep, she realized Crystin was under a very sophisticated Command spell. She kept this information to herself though, she wanted to see what was going on before making any assumptions.

Once inside the farmhouse, the group met Haddin. Only Torrent (currently being played a newbie to our group and dnd in general) could recall the rumors about Haddin putting his brother under a command spell from years ago in Gate Pass. Torrent didn't want to be rude and bring this up in his own house though.

Sorian, in true form, did not like the way Haddin (aka Diogynes 2.0) was speaking to his daughter and about knocked him out. Vic and Torrent intervened as they were in Haddin’s home and wanting to eat Haddin’s food. Sorian in a tiff---and to defy Haddin--, told Crystin no matter what he would either help her or find a way for her to come with them and physically drag her father along if that is what she wished. He then walked out the back door for some air and Crystin asked him to help gather a chicken or two for dinner.

This is where the session ended.

Spoiler: DM Note, Game Spoilers

After the dream sequences, Session 9 will start with Sorian rolling a perception check to notice if he sees the Goblin Rogue sneaking into the back yard stable. If not they all get 3-4 rounds more inside to talk before the final battle starts.

 

[lykkenthrope]

Session 9:

CRUEL PIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD

Started this session with our two missing dreams that were retconned to having happened during the long rest.

Groms Dream: Grom starts off his dream as a very young half-orc. He sees his mother, who before this dream he had completely forgotten what she looked like, sounded like, given that she had died when he was so small. His mother affectionally calls Grom her “Great Warrior” they same phrase the voice in his head calls him.

There was a heart filling montage of his mother and father teaching how to wield and axe and throw knives. In his dream he is getting ready to be inspected by a “Gruff Wolfman”.

Grom performs an adorable demonstration with tiny axe for Inquisitor Guthwulf and he is tested for magical ability and acuity. The presentation went well, looking at the scene from the 3rd person in the dream, Grom noticed Ragesian soldiers coming up behind his parents as they watched. Guthwulf told little Grom that he passed, but that the “the loss of talent is such a pity” and then Guthwulf took out a long dagger and stabbed little Grom in the chest.

Grom saw his child form crumple and his mother rush forward. She immediately knelt down and her hands glowed, stabilizing and healing her child. Guthwulf began to laugh and was very pleased in finally flushing Ushnar out of hiding, “did she really think she could steal from them and get away with it”: Groms mother, makes a parlay with Guthwulf to go peacefully if Grom and his dad could leave. As Grom’s father is walking away with an unconscious Grom in her arms and a fair distance away, Ushnar begins to channel her energy, cracks of light appear on her face, she takes an aggressive stance, summons a portal for her family to run through and begins to fight the surrounding Ragesian soldiers.

Right as Grom’s father reaches the portal, he makes eye contact with his wife. Ushnar, seeing them at safety, stops fighting and dreaming Grom sees her get cut down by a soldier. A smile crosses her lips, better be free in death, than whatever Guthwulf wanted with her.

As she died, the light started escaping from the cracks on her face. IT warped into white, grey, black, and red smoke and took the form of giant shadow beast and came flying towards Grom’s father. The portal quickly getting smaller, Grom’s dad stepped through and was on a side alley in Dassen, little Grom stirred in his arms and awoke, dreaming Grom snapped into his young self’s body and the last thing he saw before awaking was the shadow beast coming through the portal and enveloping him.

Reshis Dream:

Spoiler: DM Note, Game Spoilers

Reshi’s PC is someone I am still trying engage story/lore wise. He liked the mechanics of dnd, but wanted to play a dragonborn draconic background sorcerer for mechanical/battle reasons and not due to a “character”. There wasn’t much written about Dragonborn in the world, except they exist, so I took a lot of creative license to connect them somewhat to Synna, Trilla, and the Taranesti, hopefully he'll enjoy the plot hooks and background I gave him

Reshi falls into a deep slumber and he’s back in his village high in mountain range within Ragesia. (think Kung Fu Panda vibes). It is a small community, almost entirely of Dragonborn, thriving and harmonious. A familiar, older, gold scaled hand rest on Reshi’s shoulder, his grandfather the village elder. Reshi follows his grandfather to a sacred location where there are motifs of the creation of the world, the 4 legendary beasts, the rise and fall of the dragons, and then a newer addition the fall of Synna and the loss of her daughter trilla (the last of the true dragons) to Coaltounge.

Reshi’s grandfather recounts that battle to him, as the future village leader and keeper of the stories, he needs to learn them by heart. Reshi remembers getting angry, his father had left on an ill-begotten child fantasy adventure trying to find the truth of what happened to Synna and Trilla. Something about still feeling the power of their linage in this realm, that they couldn’t be gone. No matter what Ragesia said. Reshi’s father is presumed dead by this point (well over 20 years missing).

The dream swirls and Reshi is in the middle of the village Ragesia soldiers had flown in on Wyvern to deliver the news of the impending Scourge. That all magically inclined Dragonborn would need to surrender to Ragesia for inspection at the base of the mountain in 6 months time. Reshi’s grandfather tried to stand up to the soldiers and Reshi knew in his memory this is when he died, but in the dream the staff he got from Menash appeared in his hand (looks like a Maypole, with metal wraps weaving down the pole from the ornate top) and before he had stood back as to not insight more violence for his people, he rushed forward to save his grandfather. The wraps on the staff sprang to life and turned the staff into a magical shield.

The world exploded into vibrant color and there was his grandfather, whole with wings of dragon in an ethereal type plane. His grandfather commended him for finding the strength to stand up and fight and make a difference, his people need him. Grandfather added as he started to fade away that the Synna did not die in vain, his father was right, her daughter is out there, find her, find her.

When Reshi awoke he was attuned to his staff and equal to his proficiency modifier, he could activate the staff on a successful nonmagical hit from an enemy –but before damage is rolled—and take half damage.

Now the real start of Session 9:

Unbeknownst to our heroes, the farmhouse was slowly being surrounded by Ragesian forces. A still angry Sorian was outside trying to find a chicken for Crystin to cook for dinner. Eventually he found one and called Ze inside. Ze had been patrolling the inner wall of the farm house fence.

Ze felt uneasy, but unsure why. It was too quiet. So she was much slower in returning to the farmhouse. While everyone inside was getting settled either reading a book or helping in the kitchen, Ze finally got to the steps of backdoor to the farmhouse and was ambushed by a Ragesian Goblin and two skeletons.

Torrent and Haddin rushed out the back to see what the commotion was as Vic ran with Crystin upstairs. Vic remembered seeing windows on the second floor and wanted to try and see what was happening from a better vantage point.

Looking out the front window, Sorian saw a Ragesia solider and an Inquisitor on the hill on the other side of the road. Already angry from his dealings with Haddin, he raged and went running out the front door where he was then too ambushed by a Goblin.

Grom joined him and Frenzied Rage for the first time in his life.

When Grom entered his Frenzy he felt power surge through him and not just from the rage. The voice in his head filled him with two dueling powers: a golden-white lawful power to ensure that justice and order prevailed and a black-red more chaotic power to ensure that the righteous could be defended.

Spoiler: DM Note, Game Spoilers

Grom is inhabited by the Trillith Propriety. I had it planned that whenever he Frenzied Rage for the first time, this would activate/unlock his trillith boon. I gave him the smaller saving throw advantage of “Rectitude” against creatures trying to grapple you. And a larger boon called: Arms of the Righteousness: Having a Strength of atleast 16, you can wield a heavy or 2-handed weapons in 1 hand and use two weapon fighting with such weapons.

Sorian, Grom, and Reshi made quick work of the Ragesian solider, the goblin rogues, and the skeletons.

Though, in the back they were having a bit more trouble.

Haddin tried to dominate Ze so he could control her to fight more recklessly, but she put on her inquisitor mask and channeled her magic for the first time in 5 years and instinctively counterspelled the attempt to control her. Never again she thought. She was never going to let people have control of her fate.

Spoiler: DM Note: Mechanics

Ze is on level with the rest of the heroes (lvl3) Shadowdancer Rogue but they really wanted the former inquisitor background. So we met in a cool middle that Ze could have access the inquisitor spell list (up to level 3) and one channel divinity per long rest with the caveat that she had to put on her old inquisitor mask to cast the magic AND to ensure balance: using the spells would give her 1pt of exhaustion and the CD would give her 2pts!

The reality of what Ze did hit her literally like a ton of breaks, she was zapped of her strength, even walking was difficult. She then realized, to her horror, she did this in clear view of Haddin and Torrent. She quickly ripped the mask off her face, but she knew based off their looks of horror that it was too late. They knew. However, with the Goblin and skeletons pressing down on them, none could take the time to truly process what just occurred.

Ze, exhausted and scared, hobbled inside, leaving her shadow outside to help with the fight. Haddin stonewalled the door to prevent the enemies from coming in that way, since Crystin was still inside.

Vic and Crystin upstairs, were monitoring what was occurring in the front from the window. Unfortunately a well placed Silence kept Vic from being able to help at a distance.

Back outfront, the barbarians and sorcerer finally took Smiley down and, though hurting, are now refocusing to face down Inquisitor Boreus. We ended here, so there will be a small session 10 next week.

 

[RangerWickett]

Ah, always a delight to see players hating Haddin.

 

[lykkenthrope]

Session 10:
CRUELPIGS PARTY DO NOT READ UPON PAIN OF TOAD

Spoiler: DM Note: Mechanics

This was the session I realized I had been going too easy on my PCs. I was holding attacks, not using spells to their full advantage, didn’t add extra Goblins, skeletons or extra HP despite having 6 PCs… and realized that because I didn’t want to potentially kill or hurt my PCs this climatic battle was swiftly becoming anticlimactic. This was a good wake up call as a new GM and I made some mechanical changes to Boreus that added to the tension of the fight to ensure that next time they faced off an inquisitor they wouldn’t think it would be a cake walk.

The session started with Boreus trying to bargain—of sorts—with Sorian and Grom. He explained they just wanted the mages, that Ragesia could use strength like theirs in the coming war. He had peiced together during the battle that they were the group that had taken the intelligence and that if that was the case--and they would return the case-- then all would be forgiven, they would be heroes, returning with Boreus.

Both Barbarians could feel their rage slipping away, and knowing they couldn’t trust any Inquisitor they didn’t truly dignify Boreus with a real response beyond their maul and axe, respectively.

Sorian called upon his ancestors who grappled Boreus and forced him to have to focus his attacks on Sorian. This allowed Grom to attack his unprotected back. Sorian took the brunt of a vicious fire attack that issued forth from Boreus’s hands scalding him in green flames. Reshi kept a consistent peppering of magic missle from a distance.

Quickly recapping the others: Vic was upstairs with Crystin trying to figure out the complexity of the Command spell she was under and doing her best to try and break it through non-magical means, to not much use.

Ze was in the bottom floor of the house, still barely able to move and took a defensive position in a chair in the living room, not knowing how the battle was faring out front, she knew she needed to be prepared to give Vic and Crystin more time to escape if it came to that.

Haddin, Ze's Shadow and Torrent were in the back of the house trying to ensure that there were no more incoming assailants. When they felt that the assult had been stopped from this end, Torrent went one way around the house, Ze's Shadow slipped through a crack in one of the windows to take up a defense with Ze inside. And Haddin started going around the other side of the house, desprete to get back inside and check on his daughter.

Torrent ran as swift as her legs and God would allow and finally who had run from the back of the reached the group up front and called upon her God as she swung her axe hard into Boreus chest.

This final crack from Torrent had the three heroes notice that where she had hit Boreus, a faint, glowing green crack had appeared. Upon focusing, Torrent saw very faint glowing runes spiderwebbing across his skin, forming a type of magical chain mail on his skin. Magical chain mail that was now broken.

From where the runes had cracked, light began faintly pulsing from the runes and then spreading out across his body. Boreus began to laugh. He joyfully stated “its been an honor” to the sky and then green flames erupted from the runes on his skin billowing out. Boreus was instantly killed, immolated.

Sorian was pushed out of the way by his ancestors, so he didn’t take the full brunt of the damage. However, Torrent and Grom were not so lucky.

Sorian quickly checked on Torrent, who was badly hurt, but could still stand. That’s when they realized Grom wasn’t responding to them. Torrent, forgetting her own pain, went to quick work. Thankfully he was still breathing and awoke quickly have a small prayer and healing light washed over him.

Everyone gathered back inside after ensuring the rest of the property was safe. The group got a bit more information out of Haddin and had a deep family therapy session. Torrent explained that doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, as he tried to do with his brother, is what needs to be done sometimes, but its still the wrong thing and there will consequences.
Vic, having spent the longest with Crystin at this point and feeling a protective sister-type bond with her, explained that his grip on her was going to get her killed. That she was unable to defend herself against the Ragesians who came today and more would be coming. War was coming. That perhaps at the heart of the anger and mistrust Haddin felt for this world, he was really just protecting himsefl from grief, grief from the loss of his life in Gate Pass, the loss of his wife, but what he is doing to Crystin is not how he keeps her safe or even in his life.

Haddin was moved and released his hold on Crystin. Crystin was angry, but Sorian stepped in with the insight that t despite growing up at the base of the mountain, Haddin and Crystin were Gate Passians, and Gate Passians, of all the places on the continent, value free will and commanding ones own destiny more than anywhere else....this was a chance for both Haddin and Crystin to take charge of their lives.

Haddin told Crystin he wanted her to go with the group, and see through what she had forseen, but that his life was back up the mountain, in Gate Pass, and it was time to go back see what forgiveness and redemption there was to be had.

With this most everyone went their seperate ways to sleep, knowing they would be leaving at first light. (Ze and Grom had already fallen asleep). Torrent looked over the sleeping half-orc. She was so very young. Innoncent looking while she slept. She decided that Ze had been nothing but supportive this far, and she woudl rather give the girl a chance to explain herself before causing alarm within the group and cause mistrust that could kill them with the trials ahead. They had done the impossible made it out of Gate Pass, the forest of fire was so close, despite the real possiblility Ze was a spy....this intelligence needed to get the Lyceum. Torrent resolved she would keep an eye on her, keep her close. With that resolve, Torrent joined everyone else already sleeping.

and with that....we finished module 1: The Scouring of Gate Pass

 

[lykkenthrope]

Session 11:
Cruelpigs party do not read upon pain of toad!

Session 1 of Module 2: The Indomitable Forest of Fire!

The Heroes have all leveled up.

• Grom, Sorian, Reshi, and Ze all took the base ability points at level 4.
• Vic (Level 3 Abjuration Wizard) took 1 level into Grave Domain Cleric after seeing the destruction and lack of respect for the natural order of life when fighting the Inquisitors.
• And Torrent became a full PC for this module! Her player is aware shell have to make a new, original, character once we get to the Lyceum) But given I viewed Torrent as more experienced than my other players, I let her level up to 5. We did a quick modification and made her 4th Level War Domain Cleric and 1 Level into Ranger. (I remember when I was new to Dnd, it made it more enjoyable to be able to hit things and that confidence made it easier to roleplay).

The next morning Grom got up early to do some running and patrol property while everyone else prepared to leave. Ze came together with Torrent and asked Sorian to join as she briefly told them about her past as an Inquisitor, and how she had left 2-3 years ago. Both being older, and knowing Ze is a very young 19, gave her sage wisdom to not be too hard on herself and to perhaps open up to the group sooner than later so everyone else finding out would be on her terms and not in a heated battle. Ze said she would think about it.

The fully rested heroes, well except Ze who still had one point of exhaustion from using her mask the previous day, finally set out to enter the forest. Torrent explained the stand the heat potion and the importance of moving quickly and efficiently through the forest as they all only had enough potion for 48 hours for all of them, for one person to have 56 hour. With big gulps of their first potion, they entered the Innenotdar Forest.

Vic and Ze facing their own trauma with fire as the entered the forest were a bit quiet. Sorian being gripped with both painful and happy memories of the forest before it had been put to the torch, had a moment of prayer and self-reflection as he took his first step back into the woods. Torrent had a map from before the fire and used that to begin navigating the Elf Road.

Initially things proceeded relatively calmly. They found a caravan of recently deceased victims of the woods', perhaps an animal attack? but most seemed to succumb to the intense heat about ½ mile into their journey. They noticed one figure, who was still slightly on fire, was still alive by some miracle, through with extensive burns. Vic jumped into action, healed the man, but as he regained composure of himself and realized his family was dead, begged for death. Vic, realizing this man was well beyond her and Torrent's help and that practically they did not have enough stand the heat potion or supplies to get him to safety, put him out of his misery with a swift cut of her dagger. The group did note that even though they tried to put out the flames on the man's clothes, they remained smoldering.

Later, as they crossed one of the several bridges throughout the forest, a Hellhound appeared. The hellhound looked at them inquisitively, almost playful. All the heroes except for Grom took a defensive stance. However, Grom went and reached out a hand to show he could be a friend and the hellhound dropped a bone in front of him. Thinking it was to play fetch, Grom through the bone and the hellhound dutifully brought it back to him. Upon picking it up a second time, Grom realized there was writing on the bone.

The message was a demand for the intel they had acquired, and a promise to parley so long as the group carried the bone with them. After a brief discussion as to who might have left this message, the group agreed that keeping the bone on them would at least prevent them from being ambushed by whoever had sent this message. Sorian strapped the bone to his forearm as a makeshift bracer, to keep his hand free while keeping the bone clearly visible.

Continuing on, the heroes had to stave off an attack from several fire-bats who were chasing a strange mephit. The fleeing mephit tried to use Reshi as a make-shift shield, and surprisingly, Reshi helped defend the not-so-little guy. After getting a few burns and scratches from the bats, they were all cut down. Sorian noticed the flame on the bats did not go fully out and as he was inspecting the remain a bit closer, he noticed the bat flame back to life. This second revival, went a bit quicker with Reshi pulling upon his sorcerers metamagic to double some of his spells. They noticed the bats were still smoldering, they urged the little mephit to flee while the bats were unconscious and the heroes left the area quickly themselevs.

Soon they came across a fairly dilapidated bridge. After realizing too much weight at once would cause the bridge to groan and crack, they sent their lightest party member Ze find a safe passage across. While trying to cross it safely, Ze tripped and alerted 2 giant flaming wolf spiders to their presence. With some coordinated tactics and a clever cold spell cantrip from Reshi, the group managed to clear the bridge and safely cross.

After crossing the bridge, the group came upon a strange looking green man, not quite an orc, too tall for a goblin…and he had scales… standing nonchatly in their path, his weapon strapped to his back, not drawn. His purpose is anyone's guess, but since he stands in their only mostly safe path, the heroes in front (Sorian, Torrent, and Grom) take an immediate defensive stance, gathering they might have to face off against this grizzled stranger.

And that was the cliff hanger end of the session

I had my husband draw a more formitable, sinsiter looking Kazyk (full disclosure: its a mix of his own drawing he has the sketches, earlier versions I vetoed or asked for edits on (lol) , but he does use some AI for texturization and to polish) But I think he looks pretty good.