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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: 8405791" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>Session 22 (February 6, 2021)</p><p></p><p>29 Zar</p><p>They plan on heading back to the capital. They have a choice of going back by ship, by horse, or asking House Copervein for an escort. The voller tower is unused currently, and looks rarely used. The group decides to go back on horse, but with a cadre of House Copervein soldiers escorting the group and a single small wagon.</p><p></p><p>They arrive in the evening of the 31st of Zar. There is a raucous celebration going on, celebrating the Fall Solstice. The lieutenant with them seems very disapproving—he was highly religious—and apologizes to Father Runor for the circumstances that they must see.</p><p></p><p>Lady Copervein meets them in the courtyard of House Copervein as they arrive. The lieutenant reports to her. “The delivery.”</p><p></p><p>“I see. You have done well, and my friends return with you.” She approaches. “I’m glad for your safe return. Things have gotten interesting since you left. Lady Fooblu is in deep mourning and has her house shrouded. She intends to have a procession in his honor and memory. This has excited others. There has been more activity on Sir Clarence’s estate in the last three days than I have seen ever. I thought you should know. You’re welcome to seek shelter here. We are well aware of what you have done for us and you have our thanks.”</p><p></p><p>The group decides to report to their sponsors (Lady Fooblu, the Archbishop, and the Doge’s widow) and then to stake out Sir Clarence’s estate. They head to Lady Fooblu first.</p><p></p><p>The Fooblu estate is bunted in deep purple and black, and where everyone else is celebrating, this house is somber. “The Lady asked that you be brought to her on your return.” He shakes his head. “I hope the boy’s passing was peaceful. He was a good lad.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you for all that you do,” she says, taking Ulgorio by the hand. She slips a small piece of paper to him in secret. She also gives each a small bag of silver (50 sp) to each of them. She talks nonstop, not giving us the opportunity to say anything until she’s sure we’ve gotten the idea. She then shoos the others out of the room. “Thank you, all, very much. Your news… you cannot imagine. I’m following your direction as best as I can. None suspect. I will make it up to my guards later for missing the celebration tonight. I am hopeful that we can… we are very fortunate that you came here when you did. Most of your stature are fighting at the line. I believe there is an incarnate demon loose in the city, and has been for two days now. If you wish, I can provide safety for you here. Or you could seek out the archbishop. But I am certain one is here, in human form. I maintain a medium, and they have let me know this.”</p><p></p><p>They travel to talk to the Archbishop, to warn him of the demon. En route, Ulgorio reads the note. “Friends, I have every reason to believe that Dame Belladonna of Irlu - who is in command of the harbor is in some way connected to Sir Clarence, my men saw her enter his estates twice while you were gone, without challenge.”</p><p></p><p>They make their way through the streets full of revelers, and reach the cathedral. They have huge trestle tables out feeding the poor of the city on the festival. A canon ushers them in and takes them to the Archbishop, Claude Flarvori.</p><p></p><p>“Lady Fooblu told us that Dame Belladonna of Irlu is connected to Sir Clarence.”</p><p></p><p>“She is in command of the harbor defenses!”</p><p></p><p>“Can you describe her?”</p><p></p><p>He does, and it matches fairly closely to one of the cultists they saw in the image with Sir Clarence.</p><p></p><p>Bartix tells the Archbishop, “A spirit that was under control of Sir Clarence showed us an image. It included Dame Belladonna and Sir Clarence in a demonic cult.”</p><p></p><p>“Very disturbing. But I can’t see how they could use the harbor—their ability in the water is very weak. But maybe if they were trying to smuggle something in or out.”</p><p></p><p>Bartix points out that Sir Clarence has grippley, which are sort of frog-hobbit hybrids, working for him.</p><p></p><p>The Archbishop pays them 200 sp, and thanks them for their service. He tells them that he has requested reinforcements from the Holy See, but that it will take time for Knights of Valor or similar forces to arrive. He asks them to continue working for him and to investigate Dame Belladonna. They agree.</p><p></p><p>They also tell the Archbishop about the demon in human form. The Archbishop says that he will notify the constabulary immediately. It will likely blend into the festival, among the people wearing fantastical costumes. The Archbishop asks the group to keep an eye out for the demon as well. He also says that he will quest for it with two church knights.</p><p></p><p>“If it is a servant of Orlodu, it is not a vrock. One of his greater servants could likely not disguise itself. So it must be a lesser servant, and cannot fly. If you find it before we do, and it seems a threat, do not engage. Raise the alarm and keep the people safe. Do not get yourselves killed.”</p><p></p><p>The group decides to wait until the morning to go to meet with Dame Belladonna.</p><p></p><p>1 O-Zar</p><p>The group travels to Dame Belladonna’s establishment, traveling past various snoring and disheveled people. The guards are bleary eyed and seem much less disciplined than the military around the Shadowline.</p><p></p><p>At the dock, the guards seem more alert. “Halt!”</p><p></p><p>Bartix shows the writ from the doge’s widow, and asks to see Dame Belladonna. The guard shows us to the harbormaster’s building.</p><p></p><p>There is no doubt when we see her that she was one of the cultists. She is in half-plate, sitting at a table, stringently questioning a man in merchant’s clothing.</p><p></p><p>The group waits for her to finish grilling him, and then greets her.</p><p></p><p>Bartix shows the seal. “We’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind.”</p><p></p><p>“I can hardly refuse. But let’s make it quick.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you know anything of Sir Clarence?”</p><p></p><p>“He says he is a knight, though not of this realm, he maintains a sizable estate, which is a boon for the city, and he is no merchant though he engages in some minor trade. Why?”</p><p></p><p>“We suspect you have something to do with him.”</p><p></p><p>“While flattering, I have neither his wealth nor his power. And what do you mean by that exactly? Who are you, gentlemen?”</p><p></p><p>“Adventurers.”</p><p></p><p>She asks their names.</p><p></p><p>“Everybody in the city who hopes to get ahead has something to do with Sir Clarence, but I take it you mean something more sinister.”</p><p></p><p>“Evil plotting stuff.”</p><p></p><p>“You think I am plotting some evil thing. A take-over of the docks, perhaps.”</p><p></p><p>“Actually, yes.”</p><p></p><p>She laughs. “You are a bold one to accuse me of plotting vile take-overs with a man who is probably the wealthiest in the city, in my own duty station. You have the Doge’s seal. You could, theoretically, arrest me. But you would have to be able to prove a crime.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course, which we can’t do. Yet.”</p><p></p><p>She dismisses us.</p><p></p><p>“Aleep thinks, if Sir Clarence asked you to overlook some things, and you told us, that might just make you a witness if you told us, instead of a target if we found out separately.”</p><p></p><p>She remains dismissive.</p><p></p><p>They leave but ask some of the dock guards, “Are there any ships she insists on checking herself?”</p><p></p><p>“A few, ones that she doesn’t trust, and probably shouldn’t, that she does herself.”</p><p></p><p>“Any that arrived about two days ago?”</p><p></p><p>“Ayup. A bireme, heavily armed. Pirates, we think, but can’t prove it. The captain is onshore.”</p><p></p><p>The captain matches the description of one of the cultists. He is ashore currently.</p><p></p><p>Aleep casts detect magic and finds a powerful magic source on the deck of the ship, near the prow, along with a lingering magic in the hold.</p><p></p><p>The first mate, a chullik, says that the captain is crazy. “He has that strange stuff in his cabin. But I don’t think he worships it. But you think he’s in a cult, Father?”</p><p></p><p>The first mate has a tiny beaten gold sun disk on a chain around his neck.</p><p></p><p>They stop the gangplank, and ask the mate to take us to the captain’s cabin.</p><p></p><p>The upper deck of oars are shipped, and clearly used by the sailors. There are slaves chained to the lower deck. Slavery is illegal in the cities, but tolerated on ships if they don’t sell slaves.</p><p></p><p>In the captain’s quarters, there is a tiny statue of a marilith, which Runor immediately recognizes. It’s not Orlodu, but it might be a servant of Orlodu. It’s a demon statue. The altar on which the statue sits has minor lingering magic; there are various powders beneath that detect as evil, as well as an incense burner.</p><p></p><p>The first mate then leads us to the bow of the ship. “We obtained this from a strange merchant.” It’s a long rod mounted on a tripod. “If you stay near it too long, you start to feel weak.”</p><p></p><p>Aleep thinks it drains life energy through necromancy and then powers evocation magic. It’s not weak.</p><p></p><p>“What was strange about the merchant?”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve never seen something like that before, and I’m from a different plane before I came through the gate. It looked part worm and part man. The captain said that we would get to see it work after we left port this time. We had an important delivery to make. The captain took the special casket to wherever it is that he sells that, but said we would use the rod on our next trip.”</p><p></p><p>A very cringey man wearing the dockguards’ uniform is scampering in front of another man, dressed extremely well, and bringing him in this direction. The other man is striding along in speed, and is the captain of this ship. He is making as much speed as he can while maintaining his poise.</p><p></p><p>[End session 22]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8405791, member: 7030144"] Session 22 (February 6, 2021) 29 Zar They plan on heading back to the capital. They have a choice of going back by ship, by horse, or asking House Copervein for an escort. The voller tower is unused currently, and looks rarely used. The group decides to go back on horse, but with a cadre of House Copervein soldiers escorting the group and a single small wagon. They arrive in the evening of the 31st of Zar. There is a raucous celebration going on, celebrating the Fall Solstice. The lieutenant with them seems very disapproving—he was highly religious—and apologizes to Father Runor for the circumstances that they must see. Lady Copervein meets them in the courtyard of House Copervein as they arrive. The lieutenant reports to her. “The delivery.” “I see. You have done well, and my friends return with you.” She approaches. “I’m glad for your safe return. Things have gotten interesting since you left. Lady Fooblu is in deep mourning and has her house shrouded. She intends to have a procession in his honor and memory. This has excited others. There has been more activity on Sir Clarence’s estate in the last three days than I have seen ever. I thought you should know. You’re welcome to seek shelter here. We are well aware of what you have done for us and you have our thanks.” The group decides to report to their sponsors (Lady Fooblu, the Archbishop, and the Doge’s widow) and then to stake out Sir Clarence’s estate. They head to Lady Fooblu first. The Fooblu estate is bunted in deep purple and black, and where everyone else is celebrating, this house is somber. “The Lady asked that you be brought to her on your return.” He shakes his head. “I hope the boy’s passing was peaceful. He was a good lad.” “Thank you for all that you do,” she says, taking Ulgorio by the hand. She slips a small piece of paper to him in secret. She also gives each a small bag of silver (50 sp) to each of them. She talks nonstop, not giving us the opportunity to say anything until she’s sure we’ve gotten the idea. She then shoos the others out of the room. “Thank you, all, very much. Your news… you cannot imagine. I’m following your direction as best as I can. None suspect. I will make it up to my guards later for missing the celebration tonight. I am hopeful that we can… we are very fortunate that you came here when you did. Most of your stature are fighting at the line. I believe there is an incarnate demon loose in the city, and has been for two days now. If you wish, I can provide safety for you here. Or you could seek out the archbishop. But I am certain one is here, in human form. I maintain a medium, and they have let me know this.” They travel to talk to the Archbishop, to warn him of the demon. En route, Ulgorio reads the note. “Friends, I have every reason to believe that Dame Belladonna of Irlu - who is in command of the harbor is in some way connected to Sir Clarence, my men saw her enter his estates twice while you were gone, without challenge.” They make their way through the streets full of revelers, and reach the cathedral. They have huge trestle tables out feeding the poor of the city on the festival. A canon ushers them in and takes them to the Archbishop, Claude Flarvori. “Lady Fooblu told us that Dame Belladonna of Irlu is connected to Sir Clarence.” “She is in command of the harbor defenses!” “Can you describe her?” He does, and it matches fairly closely to one of the cultists they saw in the image with Sir Clarence. Bartix tells the Archbishop, “A spirit that was under control of Sir Clarence showed us an image. It included Dame Belladonna and Sir Clarence in a demonic cult.” “Very disturbing. But I can’t see how they could use the harbor—their ability in the water is very weak. But maybe if they were trying to smuggle something in or out.” Bartix points out that Sir Clarence has grippley, which are sort of frog-hobbit hybrids, working for him. The Archbishop pays them 200 sp, and thanks them for their service. He tells them that he has requested reinforcements from the Holy See, but that it will take time for Knights of Valor or similar forces to arrive. He asks them to continue working for him and to investigate Dame Belladonna. They agree. They also tell the Archbishop about the demon in human form. The Archbishop says that he will notify the constabulary immediately. It will likely blend into the festival, among the people wearing fantastical costumes. The Archbishop asks the group to keep an eye out for the demon as well. He also says that he will quest for it with two church knights. “If it is a servant of Orlodu, it is not a vrock. One of his greater servants could likely not disguise itself. So it must be a lesser servant, and cannot fly. If you find it before we do, and it seems a threat, do not engage. Raise the alarm and keep the people safe. Do not get yourselves killed.” The group decides to wait until the morning to go to meet with Dame Belladonna. 1 O-Zar The group travels to Dame Belladonna’s establishment, traveling past various snoring and disheveled people. The guards are bleary eyed and seem much less disciplined than the military around the Shadowline. At the dock, the guards seem more alert. “Halt!” Bartix shows the writ from the doge’s widow, and asks to see Dame Belladonna. The guard shows us to the harbormaster’s building. There is no doubt when we see her that she was one of the cultists. She is in half-plate, sitting at a table, stringently questioning a man in merchant’s clothing. The group waits for her to finish grilling him, and then greets her. Bartix shows the seal. “We’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind.” “I can hardly refuse. But let’s make it quick.” “Do you know anything of Sir Clarence?” “He says he is a knight, though not of this realm, he maintains a sizable estate, which is a boon for the city, and he is no merchant though he engages in some minor trade. Why?” “We suspect you have something to do with him.” “While flattering, I have neither his wealth nor his power. And what do you mean by that exactly? Who are you, gentlemen?” “Adventurers.” She asks their names. “Everybody in the city who hopes to get ahead has something to do with Sir Clarence, but I take it you mean something more sinister.” “Evil plotting stuff.” “You think I am plotting some evil thing. A take-over of the docks, perhaps.” “Actually, yes.” She laughs. “You are a bold one to accuse me of plotting vile take-overs with a man who is probably the wealthiest in the city, in my own duty station. You have the Doge’s seal. You could, theoretically, arrest me. But you would have to be able to prove a crime.” “Of course, which we can’t do. Yet.” She dismisses us. “Aleep thinks, if Sir Clarence asked you to overlook some things, and you told us, that might just make you a witness if you told us, instead of a target if we found out separately.” She remains dismissive. They leave but ask some of the dock guards, “Are there any ships she insists on checking herself?” “A few, ones that she doesn’t trust, and probably shouldn’t, that she does herself.” “Any that arrived about two days ago?” “Ayup. A bireme, heavily armed. Pirates, we think, but can’t prove it. The captain is onshore.” The captain matches the description of one of the cultists. He is ashore currently. Aleep casts detect magic and finds a powerful magic source on the deck of the ship, near the prow, along with a lingering magic in the hold. The first mate, a chullik, says that the captain is crazy. “He has that strange stuff in his cabin. But I don’t think he worships it. But you think he’s in a cult, Father?” The first mate has a tiny beaten gold sun disk on a chain around his neck. They stop the gangplank, and ask the mate to take us to the captain’s cabin. The upper deck of oars are shipped, and clearly used by the sailors. There are slaves chained to the lower deck. Slavery is illegal in the cities, but tolerated on ships if they don’t sell slaves. In the captain’s quarters, there is a tiny statue of a marilith, which Runor immediately recognizes. It’s not Orlodu, but it might be a servant of Orlodu. It’s a demon statue. The altar on which the statue sits has minor lingering magic; there are various powders beneath that detect as evil, as well as an incense burner. The first mate then leads us to the bow of the ship. “We obtained this from a strange merchant.” It’s a long rod mounted on a tripod. “If you stay near it too long, you start to feel weak.” Aleep thinks it drains life energy through necromancy and then powers evocation magic. It’s not weak. “What was strange about the merchant?” “I’ve never seen something like that before, and I’m from a different plane before I came through the gate. It looked part worm and part man. The captain said that we would get to see it work after we left port this time. We had an important delivery to make. The captain took the special casket to wherever it is that he sells that, but said we would use the rod on our next trip.” A very cringey man wearing the dockguards’ uniform is scampering in front of another man, dressed extremely well, and bringing him in this direction. The other man is striding along in speed, and is the captain of this ship. He is making as much speed as he can while maintaining his poise. [End session 22] [/QUOTE]
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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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