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Aphonion Tales: Adventures in the Spice Lands and the War in Hanal, a tween and teen D&D game (edited notes, posts Tuesdays, most recent 3/7/23)
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<blockquote data-quote="CPaladin" data-source="post: 8338978" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>Session 15 (December 6, 2020)</p><p></p><p>O-Zar 31</p><p>They decide to take a voller to Hanal, if they can find one that will book them passage.</p><p></p><p>They are immediately told that there are 4 Enclaves with voller towers: Glittertowers, Sparkledome, Northern Aurelian, or Zorplona Moriquendarim. They decide to go to Sparkledome, and they pay a small amount for a barge ride. The voller tower can’t be missed. There’s a tall tower rising above the enclave.</p><p></p><p>At the base of the tower, there’s a glass area with a number of desks set up, each with a different logo on the front and someone behind them. One is obviously of the Noldar, based on its runes, one with a flying whale, one with the word “Transport,” and one with a coat of arms. They head to the whale one. “Welcome to a Whale of a Trip.”</p><p></p><p>Noah says he’s looking for passage to Hanal. They have a cargo ship leaving the next evening, with additional room for passengers. It’s going to the capital, of course, and charges 40 sp per person.</p><p></p><p>They agree.</p><p></p><p>The voller line will allow them to spend the night on board if they like.</p><p></p><p>The voller is very striking. It’s huge, it has a side paddle that doesn’t look like it could do anything. It also has strange weapons mounted on the foredeck. They’re shown to their cabins, which are scaled for gnomes, although they do fit. The crew are all gnomes.</p><p></p><p>Noah tries to contact his ancestors.</p><p></p><p>Their advice: “Trust no one who swears to the Green until you find your family.”</p><p></p><p>They load the ship overnight, with strange wheeled things rolling up and dumping things on board.</p><p></p><p>The next day, they fly off. The ship is disconcerting, with things happening for no apparent reason and neither rhyme nor reason. The crew posts watches in crows’ nests.</p><p></p><p>They pass north and west of the Crystal Cities after about 4 days of flight. On the night of the first day north and west of the Crystal Cities. Even though it’s night, the lookouts cannot help but noticing that they’re being paralleled by an enormous brass dragon—age category 11 of 12. It’s looking at the ship with an interested expression.</p><p></p><p>“Looks like someone threw all their cogs and gears together to make something new. Hello, little creatures!”</p><p></p><p>They greet it.</p><p></p><p>“I prefer my tiny little friends to stay alive. Do you know what your flying into?”</p><p></p><p>“Hanal?”</p><p></p><p>“I guess it’s still Hanal. It’s a wonder of all of the gods you haven’t been attacked yet.”</p><p></p><p>“What’s your name?”</p><p></p><p>“Zymantis the Powerful. And who are you?”</p><p></p><p>Iados says, “I’m McPerfectus the Amazing.” A little silliness ensues.</p><p></p><p>Noah asks, “Have you been watching over this area for a while?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, I’ve been watching their civilization collapse.”</p><p></p><p>“Have you seen any rookery groups? The ones that have the big flying eagles?”</p><p></p><p>“Nothing is safe from the Queen-Empress forces now, and they have always been secondary in this area, but I have seen them.”</p><p></p><p>“Have you seen any flying this banner recently?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, both ships and skyships. You’re coming into a war lad—a civil war. There’s nothing civil about it, though. I’m trying to move my people out of the way, but do you know how hard it is to move little people with children?”</p><p></p><p>They tell some jokes, which the dragon loves.</p><p></p><p>“You must be careful, lads. I’m trying to move my people to the edges of the Crystal City. If you happen to pass through the southern mountains, you’re welcome to join my refugees.”</p><p></p><p>The remaining days pass. They arrive at the capital of Hanal on 9 Ghast.</p><p></p><p>As they sweep in over the capital city, there’s a dour air over the whole place. As they tie up, a group of heavily armed men approach. “Who do you stand with?”</p><p></p><p>“We’re merchants! And these are passengers?”</p><p></p><p>“Who do you declare for? Do you declare for or against the Queen?”</p><p></p><p>“Uhhhh… for?”</p><p></p><p>“Good! You can live.”</p><p></p><p>Elyn mutters how this is the sort of thing that happens in walled cities. It’s how walled cities work.</p><p></p><p>Noah asks, “Do you know of Vadess Zena Zitrian?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course. Are you hers?”</p><p></p><p>“Sort of? Could we get an audience with her?”</p><p></p><p>“She waits on the Queen most days, but you might be able to get a meeting with her seneschal at her manor. He can contact her if it is of sufficient urgency.”</p><p></p><p>There are troops everywhere in the streets of the city. Noah has a vague feeling that his uncle may have been a general in the legions—may still be a general in the legions, but he cannot remember his name. They get directions to Vadess Zena Zitrian’s manor.</p><p></p><p>Many vollers fly above the city, most flying unrelieved Green banners, though some show Green banners with a crest upon them.</p><p></p><p>This city is large—not in the way of Enclaves, but it’s a large city. And they make their way into the royal quarter, and see both the normal troops of the Legions, and others wearing noble crests. They also pass various blasted manor houses, some of which have a strange rune placed on them.</p><p></p><p>At the manor house, Noah says that he wishes to speak to the Vadess’s son, and that a friend of his might be wrongfully imprisoned here.</p><p></p><p>The Vadess’s son comes to the gate. “I am the na-Vad. I know you! You look like hell! What happened to you? And why are you asking after my mother as if you were some stranger?”</p><p></p><p>“I lost my memories. I don’t know you. I was memory wiped at some point.”</p><p></p><p>“That must have been when your house was taken. I completely understand. Come in, come in. Oh, this is difficult.”</p><p></p><p>He leads them up into a sitting room trimmed entirely in green. Something about it seems vaguely familiar, but Noah can’t put his finger on it. He thinks he’s been there before.</p><p></p><p>A servant brings them flutes of wine and passable pastries, although not up to the standard but for the war.</p><p></p><p>“So you have no memories?”</p><p></p><p>“Vague memories, and then being moved, and then waking up in a forest.”</p><p></p><p>“They must have lost you. When your family house was taken, and your mother kidnapped, you were kidnapped as well. It was widely believed that they had killed you, because they never tried to ransom you, only your mother. Your father paid the ransom. But they’re entrenched at your family manor now, they have not dared to return to the capital. You’re the son of a strom.</p><p></p><p>“There is no safe way for you to reach your family lands now. When the Queen-Empress has crushed the enemies and restored order, it would be easy. But now… you would have to be able to sneak through 350 miles of territory, much of it hostile.”</p><p></p><p>“Could I get a sending or something, let them know that I’m alive?”</p><p></p><p>“We could approach the Temple of Paranswarm and see what they can do.” He pauses. “You know that the whole country is on a war footing? There are rebels on the west, but Inquisition troops have also landed in the East. They seem to be getting some cover from both the Noldar and Eldar men-of-war, separately. We are forced to assume they may also be hostile, though why we cannot understand. And as you know, the Queen-Empress’s younger sister Anastasia has gained the alliance of the rebel Covs, Vads, and even some Stroms. She has fled the Empire, travelled far to the south of even the Barrier Mountains, where she has established a government in exile. It is not that you do not expect sisters to have some rivalry, but tearing an empire apart over it is still much.”</p><p></p><p>“While I was in the wild, I met a man who had weird eyes. Out of pity or something greater, he helped keep me alive. A seer found his location, and it seems he has been locked up here. If he has committed a crime, I will not stand by him. But if it is a misunderstanding, I would wish to clear that up.”</p><p></p><p>“I know the one of which you speak. He has sworn to the Red. While the Queen-Empress wishes all of those put to death, we have kept him and a companion here as they seem right enough. We cannot let him go, but I can take you to see him in the morning. The Red and the Green dwelt together for hundreds of years, though the Red rarely declared openly. Our hope is that when all of this is resolved, the Queen-Empress will see fit to pardon those who swore to the Red but killed no one, like that one.”</p><p>[End session 15]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8338978, member: 7030144"] Session 15 (December 6, 2020) O-Zar 31 They decide to take a voller to Hanal, if they can find one that will book them passage. They are immediately told that there are 4 Enclaves with voller towers: Glittertowers, Sparkledome, Northern Aurelian, or Zorplona Moriquendarim. They decide to go to Sparkledome, and they pay a small amount for a barge ride. The voller tower can’t be missed. There’s a tall tower rising above the enclave. At the base of the tower, there’s a glass area with a number of desks set up, each with a different logo on the front and someone behind them. One is obviously of the Noldar, based on its runes, one with a flying whale, one with the word “Transport,” and one with a coat of arms. They head to the whale one. “Welcome to a Whale of a Trip.” Noah says he’s looking for passage to Hanal. They have a cargo ship leaving the next evening, with additional room for passengers. It’s going to the capital, of course, and charges 40 sp per person. They agree. The voller line will allow them to spend the night on board if they like. The voller is very striking. It’s huge, it has a side paddle that doesn’t look like it could do anything. It also has strange weapons mounted on the foredeck. They’re shown to their cabins, which are scaled for gnomes, although they do fit. The crew are all gnomes. Noah tries to contact his ancestors. Their advice: “Trust no one who swears to the Green until you find your family.” They load the ship overnight, with strange wheeled things rolling up and dumping things on board. The next day, they fly off. The ship is disconcerting, with things happening for no apparent reason and neither rhyme nor reason. The crew posts watches in crows’ nests. They pass north and west of the Crystal Cities after about 4 days of flight. On the night of the first day north and west of the Crystal Cities. Even though it’s night, the lookouts cannot help but noticing that they’re being paralleled by an enormous brass dragon—age category 11 of 12. It’s looking at the ship with an interested expression. “Looks like someone threw all their cogs and gears together to make something new. Hello, little creatures!” They greet it. “I prefer my tiny little friends to stay alive. Do you know what your flying into?” “Hanal?” “I guess it’s still Hanal. It’s a wonder of all of the gods you haven’t been attacked yet.” “What’s your name?” “Zymantis the Powerful. And who are you?” Iados says, “I’m McPerfectus the Amazing.” A little silliness ensues. Noah asks, “Have you been watching over this area for a while?” “Yes, I’ve been watching their civilization collapse.” “Have you seen any rookery groups? The ones that have the big flying eagles?” “Nothing is safe from the Queen-Empress forces now, and they have always been secondary in this area, but I have seen them.” “Have you seen any flying this banner recently?” “Yes, both ships and skyships. You’re coming into a war lad—a civil war. There’s nothing civil about it, though. I’m trying to move my people out of the way, but do you know how hard it is to move little people with children?” They tell some jokes, which the dragon loves. “You must be careful, lads. I’m trying to move my people to the edges of the Crystal City. If you happen to pass through the southern mountains, you’re welcome to join my refugees.” The remaining days pass. They arrive at the capital of Hanal on 9 Ghast. As they sweep in over the capital city, there’s a dour air over the whole place. As they tie up, a group of heavily armed men approach. “Who do you stand with?” “We’re merchants! And these are passengers?” “Who do you declare for? Do you declare for or against the Queen?” “Uhhhh… for?” “Good! You can live.” Elyn mutters how this is the sort of thing that happens in walled cities. It’s how walled cities work. Noah asks, “Do you know of Vadess Zena Zitrian?” “Of course. Are you hers?” “Sort of? Could we get an audience with her?” “She waits on the Queen most days, but you might be able to get a meeting with her seneschal at her manor. He can contact her if it is of sufficient urgency.” There are troops everywhere in the streets of the city. Noah has a vague feeling that his uncle may have been a general in the legions—may still be a general in the legions, but he cannot remember his name. They get directions to Vadess Zena Zitrian’s manor. Many vollers fly above the city, most flying unrelieved Green banners, though some show Green banners with a crest upon them. This city is large—not in the way of Enclaves, but it’s a large city. And they make their way into the royal quarter, and see both the normal troops of the Legions, and others wearing noble crests. They also pass various blasted manor houses, some of which have a strange rune placed on them. At the manor house, Noah says that he wishes to speak to the Vadess’s son, and that a friend of his might be wrongfully imprisoned here. The Vadess’s son comes to the gate. “I am the na-Vad. I know you! You look like hell! What happened to you? And why are you asking after my mother as if you were some stranger?” “I lost my memories. I don’t know you. I was memory wiped at some point.” “That must have been when your house was taken. I completely understand. Come in, come in. Oh, this is difficult.” He leads them up into a sitting room trimmed entirely in green. Something about it seems vaguely familiar, but Noah can’t put his finger on it. He thinks he’s been there before. A servant brings them flutes of wine and passable pastries, although not up to the standard but for the war. “So you have no memories?” “Vague memories, and then being moved, and then waking up in a forest.” “They must have lost you. When your family house was taken, and your mother kidnapped, you were kidnapped as well. It was widely believed that they had killed you, because they never tried to ransom you, only your mother. Your father paid the ransom. But they’re entrenched at your family manor now, they have not dared to return to the capital. You’re the son of a strom. “There is no safe way for you to reach your family lands now. When the Queen-Empress has crushed the enemies and restored order, it would be easy. But now… you would have to be able to sneak through 350 miles of territory, much of it hostile.” “Could I get a sending or something, let them know that I’m alive?” “We could approach the Temple of Paranswarm and see what they can do.” He pauses. “You know that the whole country is on a war footing? There are rebels on the west, but Inquisition troops have also landed in the East. They seem to be getting some cover from both the Noldar and Eldar men-of-war, separately. We are forced to assume they may also be hostile, though why we cannot understand. And as you know, the Queen-Empress’s younger sister Anastasia has gained the alliance of the rebel Covs, Vads, and even some Stroms. She has fled the Empire, travelled far to the south of even the Barrier Mountains, where she has established a government in exile. It is not that you do not expect sisters to have some rivalry, but tearing an empire apart over it is still much.” “While I was in the wild, I met a man who had weird eyes. Out of pity or something greater, he helped keep me alive. A seer found his location, and it seems he has been locked up here. If he has committed a crime, I will not stand by him. But if it is a misunderstanding, I would wish to clear that up.” “I know the one of which you speak. He has sworn to the Red. While the Queen-Empress wishes all of those put to death, we have kept him and a companion here as they seem right enough. We cannot let him go, but I can take you to see him in the morning. The Red and the Green dwelt together for hundreds of years, though the Red rarely declared openly. Our hope is that when all of this is resolved, the Queen-Empress will see fit to pardon those who swore to the Red but killed no one, like that one.” [End session 15] [/QUOTE]
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