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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: 8384210" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>Session 18 (November 29, 2020)</p><p></p><p>21 Zar (cont’d)</p><p>There are two chain ladders leading up, one at the end of the corridor and one in the middle. They climb up a chain ladder to a chamber with several piles of bedding, a pipe in, and some water pot. Under the bedding, there is a yellowing piece of parchment with a crest on it and a purse with 15 silver. They search the room some more. It’s pretty clearly a dead-end room.</p><p></p><p>They go back down and take the other ladder up, to a passageway that snakes around behind the walls of the third floor of the building. Runor keeps creating light with a cantrip, and Mereep notices tracks in the dust on the floor—recent tracks. They follow the tracks, and they pass two obvious secret doors that have nothing visible through them, clearly blocked, and then to a secret door through which the tracks go. Through the peephole, they can see logs on the far side of the room, leaning against the far wall. They finally figure out how to open the door and they wedge themselves around it into a large room, where something like a large bird is screeching at them. The logs are in fact large ballista bolts. There is a large door that leads through the lefthand wall. There is a large eagle chained to a stand, and screeching like mad.</p><p></p><p>Ulgorio casts speak with animals and talks to the eagle. “Why are you screaming?”</p><p></p><p>“Guarding! Guarding! Guarding! Guarding that door, and supposed to screech as loud as I could and peck whoever came through the door.”</p><p></p><p>“Who told you to guard the door?”</p><p></p><p>“Names are human things. The person who told me was human.”</p><p></p><p>“Was he a vampire?”</p><p></p><p>“Vampire is a human thing, too. He’s not a bat.”</p><p></p><p>“Was he tall and pale?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, he was tall, and wore a very bland uniform.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you know why he told you to guard here?”</p><p></p><p>“No. He would feed me, then go through that door, then be gone for a long time, then come back and feed me again. It’s been a long time since he came through the door… I’m worried that he won’t come back. I’m getting hungry.”</p><p></p><p>They give him food to stop screeching. They also agree to free him.</p><p></p><p>“Did he have any strange symbols on his uniform?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, something that was supposed to be a picture of a hawk. I don’t know why anyone would have a hawk when they could have an eagle, much more majestic.”</p><p></p><p>They show him the symbol of the house on the yellowing parchment, which has a stylized bird holding a sword, a sheaf of arrows, and a severed head held by its hair in its mouth; the eagle confirms that’s the same symbol.</p><p></p><p>Aleep works on the piece of parchment, trying to see if he can find any secret message or the like on it. Bartix picks the lock and frees the eagle.</p><p></p><p>“He said someone might come out through that hole like you did. But someone was supposed to come in when I screeched… but they didn’t.”</p><p></p><p>Mereep opens the door. It leads onto a crenellated parapet. There are some old ballista emplacements, but they don’t look like they’ve been used in a long time. The parapet goes all the way around the building. The entire center area is roofs of various parts of the palace, except for little buildings that stick up. The building next to us sounds like someone is sawing wood, but there’s no one going in and out of the building. They can also see legs sticking out horizontally.</p><p></p><p>The magic barrier is still up, making it impossible to fall. When they get to the place where the doge fell, the barrier is partially effective—you can feel it, then you can not feel it, then you can feel it again. The runes in this area—clearly within the barrier—have been deliberately obscured.</p><p></p><p>They look into the building and see three men sleeping, with empty bottles around them. They’re in the doge’s colors, and armed, but they’re drunk and not on guard.</p><p></p><p>They later find a second spot where the runes have been obscured. It’s not a spot that is commonly used. These appear to have failed from old age—weathered over time until they failed (although it could have been someone pouring acid on them). And here, there’s evidence that someone has climbed up and down on the outside. It runs down to a part of the hedge maze/formal garden outside the palace’s walls.</p><p></p><p>They head back out. The guards in the prince’s room ask us to meet with Delbambi, who left instructions for the guards to send for him when they re-emerged.</p><p></p><p>In the sitting room, Delbambi asks what they found. They show him the crest, which Delbambi identifies as House Fooblu. They also told him about the sleeping guards, and the person in the colors of House Fooblu who was coming in and out of the secret passageway. Delbambi says that he’ll see to it that the guards are disciplined and possibly replaced. Also, he says that he’ll have a mage repair and restore the wards on the parapet.</p><p></p><p>Delbambi asks if they’re willing to talk to Lady Lillian. They agree, and he leads them to a small chapel where Lady Lillian prays to Glordiadel for her son.</p><p></p><p>She seems very devout. They tell him that her son was turned into a vampire spawn, and then laid to rest. They also show her the crest of House Fooblu, and tell of the intruder. “There are not many males in that House. The grandfather, of course, was… The grandfather… Delbambi, summon the bishop. I cannot accuse them on the basis of a tall man wearing their crest. But I can invest you with the power of royal investigators throughout the city and the lands of the Trade Federation. If you can bring those responsible to justice, I can assure you that you will be well rewarded, and your fame known throughout the continent.”</p><p></p><p>They all accept this charge and are led to the presence chamber where she usually holds court. The bishop arrives shortly. Lady Lillian has Delbambi bring out her sword, which glows slightly but has a serviceable but worn handle. She calls for the group to kneel, and taps them each on the shoulder. She invests them as royal investigators and provides them with writs of authorization. The Bishop blesses them as well.</p><p></p><p>“Does House Fooblu extend beyond this city?”</p><p></p><p>“All of the houses have at least factotums in multiple cities. Some of the great houses, including Fooblu, have emplacements in multiple cities and are counted among the noble houses of each.”</p><p></p><p>Delbambi tells us to not hesitate to call on him, day or night, with information. They ask him how to find House Fooblu’s manor house in the city. He gives us instructions on how to get to their house—a shorter route skirts through Sir Clarence’s territory, but instead they go around. They come upon a well-appointed manor house. Guards in flamboyant uniforms patrol the area in front of the manor.</p><p></p><p>The group approaches directly and asks to see the Lady Safana as two guards cross their halberds to stop them. The guard demands why he should admit them, and Bartix says that they are investigating the death of the Doge and his son. He shows the writ of investigation from Lady Lillian.</p><p></p><p>“It’s genuine. We cannot bar your way. I will send someone to notify the Lady that you wait upon her for audience.”</p><p></p><p>They’re shown to a waiting room, and a considerable amount of time passes—enough that would insult a noble, but none of the PCs feel insulted. Finally, they’re led into the lady’s presence. The guards are more attentive than any of the guards at the Doge’s palace.</p><p></p><p>“The investigators from the Doge, my lady.”</p><p></p><p>“Enter and approach.”</p><p></p><p>(Aleep has prestidigitated a hand mirror, and is checking for people who don’t appear in the mirror. Lady Safana appears clearly.)</p><p></p><p>Lady Safana says that she knows all of the common knowledge of the death of the doge and his son, and that Lady Lillian seems to mourn deeply. Also, she knows that the Doge’s staff besides Delbambi is incompetent. “I can’t say I would know who would want to kill him. Certainly I wouldn’t. If my grandfather were still alive… but they did him in thoroughly.”</p><p></p><p>She happily strolls out into the square when asked, with a laugh. “I am not my grandfather. You see, young man, I do not fear the sun, though I do not worship its god. My house has followed the Lord of Orderly Darkness since the interregnum—the sun failed us, but the Darkness did not. It was the Darkness that covered our flight, the Darkness that protected us, and from the Darkness that we climbed up again.”</p><p></p><p>“Your servants wear bright and gaudy colors. Do any wear drab colors with your symbols?”</p><p></p><p>“Not anymore. That was my grandfather’s affectation. We renounced that voluntarily when we turned away from my grandfather’s way.”</p><p></p><p>They tell her about the witness’s report. “My grandfather brought this house low. That’s when we had to flee and hide, when we turned to Paranswarm. But the Bishop of Glordiadel reduced him to dust.”</p><p></p><p>“Is his body in the family crypt?”</p><p></p><p>“In the great mausoleum, in Easthaven. That is our traditional seat, though I prefer this city. It has more trade, and I like to keep an eye on my factor. But this place was bled far less than Easthaven by my grandfather and his spawn. I grant you my permission to check the mausoleums.” She offers them passage by a caravel in two days time, though they could ride there in the same time.</p><p></p><p>“Did you and some of the other merchant houses make demands of the Doge before his death?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes. He was tariffing goods unevenly, charging more for the families less closely aligned with his family. It created unfairness and made it hard for us to succeed.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you have any particular dealings with Sir Clarence?”</p><p></p><p>“Not like my husband did. He has been very kind to me since my husband’s death. The carriage horses bolted—I have never seen the like—and they were both trampled. My husband died, but Sir Clarence lived. We assumed they got spooked by something.”</p><p></p><p>Sir Clarence was not a coreligionist. She implies without saying expressly that Sir Clarence is not lawful, and she doesn’t know his religion. She knows he’s a mage, though of a different school from her, but doesn’t know his religion (or that he’s a necromancer).</p><p></p><p>“Do you have an heir apparent?”</p><p></p><p>“Not anymore. He went mad, suddenly. He is in Easthaven as well, under the best of care.” She asks that in Easthaven we check on her son in his sanitarium. She gives them 50 silver.</p><p></p><p>“Have the heirs of other great houses fallen as well?”</p><p></p><p>“Not in Easthaven, but there is a rumor the heir of Copervein has fallen ill suddenly as well. They have a younger one as well, but barely in arms. Copervein is primarily of this city.”</p><p>[End session 18]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8384210, member: 7030144"] Session 18 (November 29, 2020) 21 Zar (cont’d) There are two chain ladders leading up, one at the end of the corridor and one in the middle. They climb up a chain ladder to a chamber with several piles of bedding, a pipe in, and some water pot. Under the bedding, there is a yellowing piece of parchment with a crest on it and a purse with 15 silver. They search the room some more. It’s pretty clearly a dead-end room. They go back down and take the other ladder up, to a passageway that snakes around behind the walls of the third floor of the building. Runor keeps creating light with a cantrip, and Mereep notices tracks in the dust on the floor—recent tracks. They follow the tracks, and they pass two obvious secret doors that have nothing visible through them, clearly blocked, and then to a secret door through which the tracks go. Through the peephole, they can see logs on the far side of the room, leaning against the far wall. They finally figure out how to open the door and they wedge themselves around it into a large room, where something like a large bird is screeching at them. The logs are in fact large ballista bolts. There is a large door that leads through the lefthand wall. There is a large eagle chained to a stand, and screeching like mad. Ulgorio casts speak with animals and talks to the eagle. “Why are you screaming?” “Guarding! Guarding! Guarding! Guarding that door, and supposed to screech as loud as I could and peck whoever came through the door.” “Who told you to guard the door?” “Names are human things. The person who told me was human.” “Was he a vampire?” “Vampire is a human thing, too. He’s not a bat.” “Was he tall and pale?” “Yes, he was tall, and wore a very bland uniform.” “Do you know why he told you to guard here?” “No. He would feed me, then go through that door, then be gone for a long time, then come back and feed me again. It’s been a long time since he came through the door… I’m worried that he won’t come back. I’m getting hungry.” They give him food to stop screeching. They also agree to free him. “Did he have any strange symbols on his uniform?” “Yes, something that was supposed to be a picture of a hawk. I don’t know why anyone would have a hawk when they could have an eagle, much more majestic.” They show him the symbol of the house on the yellowing parchment, which has a stylized bird holding a sword, a sheaf of arrows, and a severed head held by its hair in its mouth; the eagle confirms that’s the same symbol. Aleep works on the piece of parchment, trying to see if he can find any secret message or the like on it. Bartix picks the lock and frees the eagle. “He said someone might come out through that hole like you did. But someone was supposed to come in when I screeched… but they didn’t.” Mereep opens the door. It leads onto a crenellated parapet. There are some old ballista emplacements, but they don’t look like they’ve been used in a long time. The parapet goes all the way around the building. The entire center area is roofs of various parts of the palace, except for little buildings that stick up. The building next to us sounds like someone is sawing wood, but there’s no one going in and out of the building. They can also see legs sticking out horizontally. The magic barrier is still up, making it impossible to fall. When they get to the place where the doge fell, the barrier is partially effective—you can feel it, then you can not feel it, then you can feel it again. The runes in this area—clearly within the barrier—have been deliberately obscured. They look into the building and see three men sleeping, with empty bottles around them. They’re in the doge’s colors, and armed, but they’re drunk and not on guard. They later find a second spot where the runes have been obscured. It’s not a spot that is commonly used. These appear to have failed from old age—weathered over time until they failed (although it could have been someone pouring acid on them). And here, there’s evidence that someone has climbed up and down on the outside. It runs down to a part of the hedge maze/formal garden outside the palace’s walls. They head back out. The guards in the prince’s room ask us to meet with Delbambi, who left instructions for the guards to send for him when they re-emerged. In the sitting room, Delbambi asks what they found. They show him the crest, which Delbambi identifies as House Fooblu. They also told him about the sleeping guards, and the person in the colors of House Fooblu who was coming in and out of the secret passageway. Delbambi says that he’ll see to it that the guards are disciplined and possibly replaced. Also, he says that he’ll have a mage repair and restore the wards on the parapet. Delbambi asks if they’re willing to talk to Lady Lillian. They agree, and he leads them to a small chapel where Lady Lillian prays to Glordiadel for her son. She seems very devout. They tell him that her son was turned into a vampire spawn, and then laid to rest. They also show her the crest of House Fooblu, and tell of the intruder. “There are not many males in that House. The grandfather, of course, was… The grandfather… Delbambi, summon the bishop. I cannot accuse them on the basis of a tall man wearing their crest. But I can invest you with the power of royal investigators throughout the city and the lands of the Trade Federation. If you can bring those responsible to justice, I can assure you that you will be well rewarded, and your fame known throughout the continent.” They all accept this charge and are led to the presence chamber where she usually holds court. The bishop arrives shortly. Lady Lillian has Delbambi bring out her sword, which glows slightly but has a serviceable but worn handle. She calls for the group to kneel, and taps them each on the shoulder. She invests them as royal investigators and provides them with writs of authorization. The Bishop blesses them as well. “Does House Fooblu extend beyond this city?” “All of the houses have at least factotums in multiple cities. Some of the great houses, including Fooblu, have emplacements in multiple cities and are counted among the noble houses of each.” Delbambi tells us to not hesitate to call on him, day or night, with information. They ask him how to find House Fooblu’s manor house in the city. He gives us instructions on how to get to their house—a shorter route skirts through Sir Clarence’s territory, but instead they go around. They come upon a well-appointed manor house. Guards in flamboyant uniforms patrol the area in front of the manor. The group approaches directly and asks to see the Lady Safana as two guards cross their halberds to stop them. The guard demands why he should admit them, and Bartix says that they are investigating the death of the Doge and his son. He shows the writ of investigation from Lady Lillian. “It’s genuine. We cannot bar your way. I will send someone to notify the Lady that you wait upon her for audience.” They’re shown to a waiting room, and a considerable amount of time passes—enough that would insult a noble, but none of the PCs feel insulted. Finally, they’re led into the lady’s presence. The guards are more attentive than any of the guards at the Doge’s palace. “The investigators from the Doge, my lady.” “Enter and approach.” (Aleep has prestidigitated a hand mirror, and is checking for people who don’t appear in the mirror. Lady Safana appears clearly.) Lady Safana says that she knows all of the common knowledge of the death of the doge and his son, and that Lady Lillian seems to mourn deeply. Also, she knows that the Doge’s staff besides Delbambi is incompetent. “I can’t say I would know who would want to kill him. Certainly I wouldn’t. If my grandfather were still alive… but they did him in thoroughly.” She happily strolls out into the square when asked, with a laugh. “I am not my grandfather. You see, young man, I do not fear the sun, though I do not worship its god. My house has followed the Lord of Orderly Darkness since the interregnum—the sun failed us, but the Darkness did not. It was the Darkness that covered our flight, the Darkness that protected us, and from the Darkness that we climbed up again.” “Your servants wear bright and gaudy colors. Do any wear drab colors with your symbols?” “Not anymore. That was my grandfather’s affectation. We renounced that voluntarily when we turned away from my grandfather’s way.” They tell her about the witness’s report. “My grandfather brought this house low. That’s when we had to flee and hide, when we turned to Paranswarm. But the Bishop of Glordiadel reduced him to dust.” “Is his body in the family crypt?” “In the great mausoleum, in Easthaven. That is our traditional seat, though I prefer this city. It has more trade, and I like to keep an eye on my factor. But this place was bled far less than Easthaven by my grandfather and his spawn. I grant you my permission to check the mausoleums.” She offers them passage by a caravel in two days time, though they could ride there in the same time. “Did you and some of the other merchant houses make demands of the Doge before his death?” “Yes. He was tariffing goods unevenly, charging more for the families less closely aligned with his family. It created unfairness and made it hard for us to succeed.” “Do you have any particular dealings with Sir Clarence?” “Not like my husband did. He has been very kind to me since my husband’s death. The carriage horses bolted—I have never seen the like—and they were both trampled. My husband died, but Sir Clarence lived. We assumed they got spooked by something.” Sir Clarence was not a coreligionist. She implies without saying expressly that Sir Clarence is not lawful, and she doesn’t know his religion. She knows he’s a mage, though of a different school from her, but doesn’t know his religion (or that he’s a necromancer). “Do you have an heir apparent?” “Not anymore. He went mad, suddenly. He is in Easthaven as well, under the best of care.” She asks that in Easthaven we check on her son in his sanitarium. She gives them 50 silver. “Have the heirs of other great houses fallen as well?” “Not in Easthaven, but there is a rumor the heir of Copervein has fallen ill suddenly as well. They have a younger one as well, but barely in arms. Copervein is primarily of this city.” [End session 18] [/QUOTE]
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