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Aphonion Tales: Ravenskrag and the Shadowline, a preteen D&D game (lightly edited notes, COMPLETED on 1/20/23)
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<blockquote data-quote="CPaladin" data-source="post: 8412263" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>Session 23 (February 20, 2021)</p><p></p><p>1 O-Zar (cont’d)</p><p>The captain demands that the gang plank be lowered immediately. The first mate refuses, because he is obeying the group.</p><p></p><p>Runor claims to be working for Sir Clarence. The captain sputters, saying that he’s always made his deliveries on schedule and asks whether we bear his mark.</p><p></p><p>“We do, but we’re too far away to show it to you.”</p><p></p><p>“Then lower the gang plank and I’ll show you.”</p><p></p><p>“Sure.” Runor says to the chullik, “Lower the gangplank, but be ready to raise it again at a moment’s notice.”</p><p></p><p>As the captain starts climbing the gangplank, Runor says “Raise it again! Don’t let him on.”</p><p></p><p>The chullik throws the gangplank overboard, and gangplank, captain, and all splash into the bay. Dame Belladonna has exited the guard house, and starts heading away onto the mainland after she sees the captain has fallen into the water.</p><p></p><p>The captain suddenly changes shape, shifting from the man he was to some sort of huge sea worm, which dives under the ship.</p><p></p><p>Runor says, “Full speed away from the dock.”</p><p></p><p>The first mate passes on the command, and the ship starts pulling away from the dock. The sea worm is paralleling the ship, but there’s enough wind that they think that with the sails set, the ship is faster. Runor orders the sails deployed, and then casts protection from evil at the water ahead of it. With the sails unfurled, the ship shoots ahead of the worm and out into open water.</p><p></p><p>Runor announces that he plans on claiming all the cult stuff, and then scuttling the ship. Aleep suggests that they give the ship to the first mate.</p><p></p><p>They take all of the cult stuff, including the strange weapon, and they search the hold. Runor, Mereep, and Ulgorio go into the hold. Bartix, Ashaltir, and Aleep stay on guard on deck, while the new captain unlocks the slaves at the lower oar-deck, partly to get himself some potential allies if there are problems with the rest of the crew.</p><p></p><p>In the bilges, in the back of the ship, there is a small chest, locked in place. There are emanations of magic and evil from the chest. Runor decides to carefully open the chest. He cannot help but notice a tag written on it some odd language. As he opens it, he sees a set of odd, mottled robes, from which the magical stench arises. There is a flash, and a crouched thing that looks sort of like a cross between a bird and a man appears.</p><p></p><p>“What is the word of passage?”</p><p></p><p>Ulgorio immediately says, “Swordfish!”</p><p></p><p>“No. You have two more tries. Oh, how delicious. A priest of light. A ranger of elf-blood. Fortunate I am today.”</p><p></p><p>Runor says, “Hmm. What is the answer to a mind-flayer’s riddle?”</p><p></p><p>“Mind-flayer? I am no mind-flayer. What are they teaching you in theology these days?”</p><p></p><p>Runor recognizes that it’s an immature vrock. “Oh, I meant an immature vrock.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you, now you recognize my plumage. Now, you must make your other guesses. I cannot leave until you make your other two guesses—or unless you try to access the precious things in the chest that we’re bearing to Sir Clarence.”</p><p></p><p>Runor spends a moment confirming that the vrock is evil, and then casts Inflict Wounds on the vrock. The vrock is hurt substantially (15 hp, about a quarter of its hit points), and then releases a burst of poison spores. Everyone saves successfully and no one is hurt.</p><p></p><p>Merreep asks if the vrock could be freed, trying to make peace.</p><p></p><p>“I can only be freed by obeying my master’s commands. I was commanded to guard this chest from anyone who did not know the password.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, maybe we can free you.”</p><p></p><p>“You are no mage. How can you free me?”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe we can figure it out. Runor, might you have a spell to get this bird free?”</p><p></p><p>“Oh… umm… I’ll check.”</p><p></p><p>“Alright, I’ll stop trying to eat you while you check.” The vrock settles on the lid of the chest. “I admit, it’s much more fun soaring through the air of the Abyss that being bound to a chest.”</p><p></p><p>Runor says, “Remove Curse might work…”</p><p></p><p>“I guess we could give it the old academy try… Go ahead and try. I can always eat you later.”</p><p></p><p>Runor casts Remove Curse on the vrock. He tries to remove the binding on the vrock. Runor loses every spell he had memorized, as an angel takes notice. The binding dissipates.</p><p></p><p>“I’m free! You’re miracle workers. I can go home. I don’t have to stay here. Do you know what this means? Thank you, elf. Thank you all. I suppose I should warn you that the skull at the bottom of the chest has a dangerous spirit in it. It could possess you, especially now, and it won’t be as kind as I was.” In a flash of brimstone, it disappears.</p><p></p><p>They close the chest up and take it with them, along with the rod and all of the cults equipment. They also give the chullik a writ saying that he owns the ship now, and with the former slaves freed, he now outnumbers the sailors who might be a problem.</p><p></p><p>The group lands on the coast about two hours north of the city and hurries back to the city. Shortly after they return, a guard slips up to Ulgorio, and informs him that they should go to the palace.</p><p></p><p>They hurry to the palace. They are passed through immediately to the Doge’s widow. “I’m told my agents stole a boat.”</p><p></p><p>“Cultists.”</p><p></p><p>“I suspected as much. I hope you didn’t scuttle it.”</p><p></p><p>“We made the first mate captain, seized the artifacts of the cult, and sailed off.”</p><p></p><p>“I hear the fanciful tale that he turned into a sea slug. He did not look like one when he spoke to me.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s true. He may have other forms, as well.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I sent one of my servants to follow him when he and Dame Belladonna left here, and they left together. The servant has not yet returned. Some form of lycanthrope or skinwalker. Wonderful. I am increasingly glad that I hired you.”</p><p></p><p>They explain about the artifacts they recovered, and that this was linked to Sir Clarence.</p><p></p><p>“You should take the cursed artifacts to the Church—they will be better suited to deal. We would be pleased if you would allow us to continue to retain your group. This is a trying matter to need to be in charge of the city.”</p><p></p><p>They agree, and she says that she will make them permanent agents of the court.</p><p></p><p>A young man enters. “They entered past the energy wall at the edge of Sir Clarence’s estate.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that settles any doubt about his involvement. I would like you to probe the energy wall under ground—it may be weaker than the energy barrier above ground. If you can find a weakness or some way to pass through, you should be able to explore the grounds with only the monsters and traps to stop you. We need to get you inside his estate, and while he continues to play my friend in public, he has ejected our agents. I loved my husband dearly, but the military discipline of the troops here is less than it was.</p><p></p><p>“I have exchanged missives with my sister, though she is on another continent. She thinks this is a long-established chaos cult, seeking to topple the Trade Federation to weaken the war effort. I have few agents. Do not engage Sir Clarence. Do not endanger your lives. But find out what you can.</p><p></p><p>“If you can successfully bring low this cult over the coming months, I will knight all of you that survive. I cannot increase the salary, but I can offer you that, and there is land between the cities that you could claim at that time. You should bring the artifacts to the bishop to be cleansed or destroyed. He’ll know which to do. I must meet with the heads of the other houses, to see what we can do to increase trade. I wonder if this captain is part of the cause of the lost trade.”</p><p></p><p>She hands them each a sack of silver as they leave.</p><p></p><p>They go to the archbishop and are immediately shown in. “Oh, you’re back. And you’re carrying a chest, which drips with evil. I take it your mission was successful?”</p><p></p><p>“Our mission was horrifyingly successful,” says Runor.</p><p></p><p>“These are the items from the ship?”</p><p></p><p>“There are two items of note. This, which drains life energy from those around it and then uses it to release energy. And then, in here there is a skull with a fierce ghost inside of it.”</p><p></p><p>“Possession by touch?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ve heard of these. That, on the other hand… Could you go and get the supplicant, please?”</p><p></p><p>An aide fetches in a novice in a pure white robe.</p><p></p><p>He raises two fingers to the young man in the robes, who is completely covered by his robe, and is much more slightly built than a human.</p><p></p><p>“Is this of your people’s?”</p><p></p><p>“No, it was not ours. This was at one time a Noldar death lance, but it has been altered. I do not know how. The gems have been stripped, and it has been changed to no longer be of psionic use, but to drain life energy instead.”</p><p></p><p>“Hmm. Perhaps taken from a fallen voller? We stop it from draining life energy, and then send it to the schola for further study.”</p><p></p><p>“We worry that Sir Clarence intended to use it, to power it.”</p><p></p><p>“If someone used these runes carefully, it could probably be used to drain life energy quickly from human sacrifices, and then be charged rapidly and used. If we needed any evidence of how twisted these people are… We will break it so that it loses its ability.”</p><p></p><p>The novice spins around. “Your eminence! No! I do not think you could break it, but if you did, it would release all the energy that it had absorbed at once. It is high glass—you would be hard put to break it at best.”</p><p></p><p>Runor says, “If we cannot break it, perhaps we can discharge it so that it would be less of a threat.”</p><p></p><p>Mereep and Ulgorio recognize that it is somewhat like a battery, and used correctly, could be used to power spells. But that would be energy drained from other people, so it might have strange consequences. The bishop offers to keep it in lead, but will let the group take it with them if they would prefer. The group decides to take it with them.</p><p></p><p>The skull and other items in the chest, he will deal with. The robes, alone among the items, can be purified without being destroyed. He offers to do that. They are robes of magical puissance—they strengthen spell casting while worn, at the cost of making you look like an idiot.</p><p></p><p>The Archbishop blesses the group (+1 on hits and saves for 24 hours).</p><p></p><p>The group plans to go in through the underground route after waiting to the next morning.</p><p>[End session 23]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8412263, member: 7030144"] Session 23 (February 20, 2021) 1 O-Zar (cont’d) The captain demands that the gang plank be lowered immediately. The first mate refuses, because he is obeying the group. Runor claims to be working for Sir Clarence. The captain sputters, saying that he’s always made his deliveries on schedule and asks whether we bear his mark. “We do, but we’re too far away to show it to you.” “Then lower the gang plank and I’ll show you.” “Sure.” Runor says to the chullik, “Lower the gangplank, but be ready to raise it again at a moment’s notice.” As the captain starts climbing the gangplank, Runor says “Raise it again! Don’t let him on.” The chullik throws the gangplank overboard, and gangplank, captain, and all splash into the bay. Dame Belladonna has exited the guard house, and starts heading away onto the mainland after she sees the captain has fallen into the water. The captain suddenly changes shape, shifting from the man he was to some sort of huge sea worm, which dives under the ship. Runor says, “Full speed away from the dock.” The first mate passes on the command, and the ship starts pulling away from the dock. The sea worm is paralleling the ship, but there’s enough wind that they think that with the sails set, the ship is faster. Runor orders the sails deployed, and then casts protection from evil at the water ahead of it. With the sails unfurled, the ship shoots ahead of the worm and out into open water. Runor announces that he plans on claiming all the cult stuff, and then scuttling the ship. Aleep suggests that they give the ship to the first mate. They take all of the cult stuff, including the strange weapon, and they search the hold. Runor, Mereep, and Ulgorio go into the hold. Bartix, Ashaltir, and Aleep stay on guard on deck, while the new captain unlocks the slaves at the lower oar-deck, partly to get himself some potential allies if there are problems with the rest of the crew. In the bilges, in the back of the ship, there is a small chest, locked in place. There are emanations of magic and evil from the chest. Runor decides to carefully open the chest. He cannot help but notice a tag written on it some odd language. As he opens it, he sees a set of odd, mottled robes, from which the magical stench arises. There is a flash, and a crouched thing that looks sort of like a cross between a bird and a man appears. “What is the word of passage?” Ulgorio immediately says, “Swordfish!” “No. You have two more tries. Oh, how delicious. A priest of light. A ranger of elf-blood. Fortunate I am today.” Runor says, “Hmm. What is the answer to a mind-flayer’s riddle?” “Mind-flayer? I am no mind-flayer. What are they teaching you in theology these days?” Runor recognizes that it’s an immature vrock. “Oh, I meant an immature vrock.” “Thank you, now you recognize my plumage. Now, you must make your other guesses. I cannot leave until you make your other two guesses—or unless you try to access the precious things in the chest that we’re bearing to Sir Clarence.” Runor spends a moment confirming that the vrock is evil, and then casts Inflict Wounds on the vrock. The vrock is hurt substantially (15 hp, about a quarter of its hit points), and then releases a burst of poison spores. Everyone saves successfully and no one is hurt. Merreep asks if the vrock could be freed, trying to make peace. “I can only be freed by obeying my master’s commands. I was commanded to guard this chest from anyone who did not know the password.” “Well, maybe we can free you.” “You are no mage. How can you free me?” “Maybe we can figure it out. Runor, might you have a spell to get this bird free?” “Oh… umm… I’ll check.” “Alright, I’ll stop trying to eat you while you check.” The vrock settles on the lid of the chest. “I admit, it’s much more fun soaring through the air of the Abyss that being bound to a chest.” Runor says, “Remove Curse might work…” “I guess we could give it the old academy try… Go ahead and try. I can always eat you later.” Runor casts Remove Curse on the vrock. He tries to remove the binding on the vrock. Runor loses every spell he had memorized, as an angel takes notice. The binding dissipates. “I’m free! You’re miracle workers. I can go home. I don’t have to stay here. Do you know what this means? Thank you, elf. Thank you all. I suppose I should warn you that the skull at the bottom of the chest has a dangerous spirit in it. It could possess you, especially now, and it won’t be as kind as I was.” In a flash of brimstone, it disappears. They close the chest up and take it with them, along with the rod and all of the cults equipment. They also give the chullik a writ saying that he owns the ship now, and with the former slaves freed, he now outnumbers the sailors who might be a problem. The group lands on the coast about two hours north of the city and hurries back to the city. Shortly after they return, a guard slips up to Ulgorio, and informs him that they should go to the palace. They hurry to the palace. They are passed through immediately to the Doge’s widow. “I’m told my agents stole a boat.” “Cultists.” “I suspected as much. I hope you didn’t scuttle it.” “We made the first mate captain, seized the artifacts of the cult, and sailed off.” “I hear the fanciful tale that he turned into a sea slug. He did not look like one when he spoke to me.” “That’s true. He may have other forms, as well.” “Well, I sent one of my servants to follow him when he and Dame Belladonna left here, and they left together. The servant has not yet returned. Some form of lycanthrope or skinwalker. Wonderful. I am increasingly glad that I hired you.” They explain about the artifacts they recovered, and that this was linked to Sir Clarence. “You should take the cursed artifacts to the Church—they will be better suited to deal. We would be pleased if you would allow us to continue to retain your group. This is a trying matter to need to be in charge of the city.” They agree, and she says that she will make them permanent agents of the court. A young man enters. “They entered past the energy wall at the edge of Sir Clarence’s estate.” “Well, that settles any doubt about his involvement. I would like you to probe the energy wall under ground—it may be weaker than the energy barrier above ground. If you can find a weakness or some way to pass through, you should be able to explore the grounds with only the monsters and traps to stop you. We need to get you inside his estate, and while he continues to play my friend in public, he has ejected our agents. I loved my husband dearly, but the military discipline of the troops here is less than it was. “I have exchanged missives with my sister, though she is on another continent. She thinks this is a long-established chaos cult, seeking to topple the Trade Federation to weaken the war effort. I have few agents. Do not engage Sir Clarence. Do not endanger your lives. But find out what you can. “If you can successfully bring low this cult over the coming months, I will knight all of you that survive. I cannot increase the salary, but I can offer you that, and there is land between the cities that you could claim at that time. You should bring the artifacts to the bishop to be cleansed or destroyed. He’ll know which to do. I must meet with the heads of the other houses, to see what we can do to increase trade. I wonder if this captain is part of the cause of the lost trade.” She hands them each a sack of silver as they leave. They go to the archbishop and are immediately shown in. “Oh, you’re back. And you’re carrying a chest, which drips with evil. I take it your mission was successful?” “Our mission was horrifyingly successful,” says Runor. “These are the items from the ship?” “There are two items of note. This, which drains life energy from those around it and then uses it to release energy. And then, in here there is a skull with a fierce ghost inside of it.” “Possession by touch?” “Yes.” “We’ve heard of these. That, on the other hand… Could you go and get the supplicant, please?” An aide fetches in a novice in a pure white robe. He raises two fingers to the young man in the robes, who is completely covered by his robe, and is much more slightly built than a human. “Is this of your people’s?” “No, it was not ours. This was at one time a Noldar death lance, but it has been altered. I do not know how. The gems have been stripped, and it has been changed to no longer be of psionic use, but to drain life energy instead.” “Hmm. Perhaps taken from a fallen voller? We stop it from draining life energy, and then send it to the schola for further study.” “We worry that Sir Clarence intended to use it, to power it.” “If someone used these runes carefully, it could probably be used to drain life energy quickly from human sacrifices, and then be charged rapidly and used. If we needed any evidence of how twisted these people are… We will break it so that it loses its ability.” The novice spins around. “Your eminence! No! I do not think you could break it, but if you did, it would release all the energy that it had absorbed at once. It is high glass—you would be hard put to break it at best.” Runor says, “If we cannot break it, perhaps we can discharge it so that it would be less of a threat.” Mereep and Ulgorio recognize that it is somewhat like a battery, and used correctly, could be used to power spells. But that would be energy drained from other people, so it might have strange consequences. The bishop offers to keep it in lead, but will let the group take it with them if they would prefer. The group decides to take it with them. The skull and other items in the chest, he will deal with. The robes, alone among the items, can be purified without being destroyed. He offers to do that. They are robes of magical puissance—they strengthen spell casting while worn, at the cost of making you look like an idiot. The Archbishop blesses the group (+1 on hits and saves for 24 hours). The group plans to go in through the underground route after waiting to the next morning. [End session 23] [/QUOTE]
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