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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: 8504356" data-attributes="member: 7030144"><p>Session 35 (September 11, 2021)</p><p></p><p>8 Ta-Ghast</p><p>The next morning, the group explores the fort. It’s in some disrepair—windows were left open, which ruined drapes and bedding. There is a well with crystal clear water in it.</p><p></p><p>They tromp back up the tower. The imp is still there, chained up but now freed from compulsion.</p><p></p><p>He offers to become a hireling, saying he’s good at cleaning and mopping.</p><p></p><p>Bartix is enthusiastic about this, but wants him to fight for them. The imp is a little hesitant about this—he’s only an imp—but willing.</p><p></p><p>Runor tries to convert the imp to follow Glordiadel, and talks about how great Glordiadel, Lord of Light is.</p><p></p><p>“So, you’re saying you’ll strike my chains and let me work for you, as long as I convert?”</p><p></p><p>“You wouldn’t even have to work for us if you convert.”</p><p></p><p>“But then I’d be unemployed!”</p><p></p><p>“Well, you could work for us if you want and we’d pay you.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m not really very attached to the Hells… they’re pretty awful places, really. What does Glordiadel have? Paranswarm has the Hells, but does Glordiadel have some place?”</p><p></p><p>“Glordiadel has the Heavens. He is like a good version of Paranswarm, also lawful but good.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, I guess if you’re offering me a job, and need me to convert, I guess I will. I can maintain the fort, clean things.” He kisses Runor’s holy symbol, and then yelps in pain when he does.</p><p></p><p>Runor sets a schedule for religious instruction for the imp (and for the quasit they’re also redeeming).</p><p></p><p>The imp mentions that the dead vampire was trying to become a greater vampire, like its master. Its master came here, but not for a long time—not since the dead vampire was firmly on its path. The imp also tells them where the greater vampire’s lair is, but warns them not to go there. (It’s the same location that they already knew about.)</p><p></p><p>The imp offers to reset all the traps, and tells them that it can teleport. It also maps out the path through the traps to get through to the door. The worst traps are anyone who tries any of the fake doors.</p><p></p><p>“If you go west, there’s a fairly good sized town. A whole day’s travel. It started out as a woodcutter’s hold, but slowly grew. He was ‘husbanding the resources.’”</p><p></p><p>“Did he likely have spawn if he’s been feeding there?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know if he had spawn, but he had a little cult—at least a half-dozen of them. They are on the edge of the town, this way. They would find victims for him and the like.”</p><p></p><p>The group discusses what to do and decides they need to stop the vampire’s cultists first. They also think that there may be other vampires in the service of the master vampire that they should also hunt down.</p><p></p><p>The imp shows them through the crystal ball, trying hard until a distant hazy image of a small stockaded town. It’s probably 1500 or 2000 people. It looks pretty self-sufficient, with some paths running in that are probably trade paths. There’s no sign of a manor or tower or anything that might indicate a noble. “You see those houses near here that are outside the wall? That’s where the cult is, along with a lot of other people.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you know what the bowl in the basement is?”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t know what it is, but I do know what he used it for. He could put a drop of blood in it—any type of blood—and then he could talk to his master. I don’t know if it could do anything else. He stole it—made a big trip, I thought he was dead—but then came back. And then people came after it—a tall women in silver armor, a young woman who rode on a mule behind her, and a half-dozen people with crossbows. But they were stupid—they attacked at night, and he defeated them and ate them.”</p><p></p><p>“Did he keep their armor? We might be able to tell who they were.”</p><p></p><p>“He buried them under those flagstones. Said they burned.”</p><p></p><p>The group pries up the flagstones, and finds a set of silvered armor, somewhat dented, a bunch of crossbows, and a holy symbol of Glordiadel. They think it might have been a paladin, and Aleep suggests that the bishop might know who the paladin was.</p><p></p><p>Aleep identifies the bowl. It is a bowl of memories, with hundreds of memories imbued in it. The vampire was clearly misusing it. The water contains specific memories, none longer than 5 minutes, some fairly old, some recent, with none of them in the past year. It is divinatory and can be used by either a bard or a wizard. It can draw memories out of people and store them as long as the water isn’t spilled. The most recent memory is a performance of a skald, in a rough-hewn pavilion made of wood, open on the sides. The people there are dressed in simple clothing. The song is ancient, well-performed, but showing no originality whatsoever.</p><p></p><p>They head off towards the town. The trip takes essentially a whole day, but is uneventful. There is a gate, which is open, with people passing through the gate. There is a single guard, in half-armor, keeping an eye at the gate. The other gates are closed.</p><p></p><p>“Halt there. Who approaches the Free Town? A priest, an elf, another elf… and you there, are you a bard? The mayor will want to see you. It’s been hard since our bard vanished.”</p><p></p><p>He gives the group directions to the mayor and to the inn, the Eager Beaver. As they go into the town, there are statues all over the place, of wood and stone, and paintings on white washed walls. They also see the pavilion that Aleep saw in the memory.</p><p></p><p>As they arrive at the inn, the innkeeper sees Ulgorio’s instrument. “Master bard?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes?”</p><p></p><p>“Welcome to Freetown. Are you here to perform?”</p><p></p><p>“I need to talk to the mayor, but probably.”</p><p></p><p>“Excellent, excellent. Our bard disappeared a year ago, and we haven’t had a bard visit since then. He left all of his things, his money, and everything else, but not his own harp, or him, or his magic pool.”</p><p></p><p>Aleep confirms that the magic pool matches the description of the bowl they found.</p><p></p><p>“Oh have you seen it? Have you seen him?”</p><p></p><p>“Bartix slew the vampire that stole it.”</p><p></p><p>The innkeep offers free dinners to the whole group in thanks, though he’s clearly deflated by the news and implication of the bard’s fate. “I must go and tell the priest of what happened to the bard.”</p><p></p><p>“The priest is of Glordiadel?”</p><p></p><p>“Of course! Are there others?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes.”</p><p></p><p>“Not here, there are not.” The innkeep bustles out.</p><p></p><p>They have dinner in the common room, and the innkeep comes back with a burly man. “I wish to introduce you to Mayor Kevin.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, you’re the bard. I’m Kevin. I’m the mayor—at least until the next Judgment Day.”</p><p></p><p>“Judgment Day?”</p><p></p><p>“Every two years, our heart is judged. We each make a project, as best as we can, and then some people from out of town come and judge which project is best. The winner is mayor for the next two years.”</p><p></p><p>The group is somewhat surprised but accepts this.</p><p></p><p>The priest, Father Xerxes, arrives shortly thereafter. They conclude that this must be why there have been some blood-draining incidents. The mayor says that he’ll have to tell the militia and see about ferreting any other vampires out.</p><p></p><p>Ulgorio agrees to sing at the place. The mayor tells them that the hall was built by a traveling elf who came through and created it by growing the trees into shape. That was also when the town changed from a wood-cutting village to focused on art.</p><p></p><p>Aleep suggests the elf may have placed a glamour on them; the mayor agrees, but doesn’t care—“We are much happier than any of our ancestors ever were.” This happened within living memory—the elf said that he would return, and also said that the people of Freetown should continue to follow their human god and not the goddess that inspired him.</p><p></p><p>The mayor shows Ulgorio the performance hall—the pillars are still vibrant and alive. When Ulgorio strikes a note, the hall transforms, with golden leaves growing from the pillars and the mayor suddenly wearing a brilliant white toga trimmed in gold. As the note fades, the hall returns to normal. (Aleep later confirms that the hall is enormously magical, with elven magic that is far beyond him.)</p><p></p><p>With that, they return and sleep for the night.</p><p>[End Session 35]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CPaladin, post: 8504356, member: 7030144"] Session 35 (September 11, 2021) 8 Ta-Ghast The next morning, the group explores the fort. It’s in some disrepair—windows were left open, which ruined drapes and bedding. There is a well with crystal clear water in it. They tromp back up the tower. The imp is still there, chained up but now freed from compulsion. He offers to become a hireling, saying he’s good at cleaning and mopping. Bartix is enthusiastic about this, but wants him to fight for them. The imp is a little hesitant about this—he’s only an imp—but willing. Runor tries to convert the imp to follow Glordiadel, and talks about how great Glordiadel, Lord of Light is. “So, you’re saying you’ll strike my chains and let me work for you, as long as I convert?” “You wouldn’t even have to work for us if you convert.” “But then I’d be unemployed!” “Well, you could work for us if you want and we’d pay you.” “I’m not really very attached to the Hells… they’re pretty awful places, really. What does Glordiadel have? Paranswarm has the Hells, but does Glordiadel have some place?” “Glordiadel has the Heavens. He is like a good version of Paranswarm, also lawful but good.” “Well, I guess if you’re offering me a job, and need me to convert, I guess I will. I can maintain the fort, clean things.” He kisses Runor’s holy symbol, and then yelps in pain when he does. Runor sets a schedule for religious instruction for the imp (and for the quasit they’re also redeeming). The imp mentions that the dead vampire was trying to become a greater vampire, like its master. Its master came here, but not for a long time—not since the dead vampire was firmly on its path. The imp also tells them where the greater vampire’s lair is, but warns them not to go there. (It’s the same location that they already knew about.) The imp offers to reset all the traps, and tells them that it can teleport. It also maps out the path through the traps to get through to the door. The worst traps are anyone who tries any of the fake doors. “If you go west, there’s a fairly good sized town. A whole day’s travel. It started out as a woodcutter’s hold, but slowly grew. He was ‘husbanding the resources.’” “Did he likely have spawn if he’s been feeding there?” “I don’t know if he had spawn, but he had a little cult—at least a half-dozen of them. They are on the edge of the town, this way. They would find victims for him and the like.” The group discusses what to do and decides they need to stop the vampire’s cultists first. They also think that there may be other vampires in the service of the master vampire that they should also hunt down. The imp shows them through the crystal ball, trying hard until a distant hazy image of a small stockaded town. It’s probably 1500 or 2000 people. It looks pretty self-sufficient, with some paths running in that are probably trade paths. There’s no sign of a manor or tower or anything that might indicate a noble. “You see those houses near here that are outside the wall? That’s where the cult is, along with a lot of other people.” “Do you know what the bowl in the basement is?” “I don’t know what it is, but I do know what he used it for. He could put a drop of blood in it—any type of blood—and then he could talk to his master. I don’t know if it could do anything else. He stole it—made a big trip, I thought he was dead—but then came back. And then people came after it—a tall women in silver armor, a young woman who rode on a mule behind her, and a half-dozen people with crossbows. But they were stupid—they attacked at night, and he defeated them and ate them.” “Did he keep their armor? We might be able to tell who they were.” “He buried them under those flagstones. Said they burned.” The group pries up the flagstones, and finds a set of silvered armor, somewhat dented, a bunch of crossbows, and a holy symbol of Glordiadel. They think it might have been a paladin, and Aleep suggests that the bishop might know who the paladin was. Aleep identifies the bowl. It is a bowl of memories, with hundreds of memories imbued in it. The vampire was clearly misusing it. The water contains specific memories, none longer than 5 minutes, some fairly old, some recent, with none of them in the past year. It is divinatory and can be used by either a bard or a wizard. It can draw memories out of people and store them as long as the water isn’t spilled. The most recent memory is a performance of a skald, in a rough-hewn pavilion made of wood, open on the sides. The people there are dressed in simple clothing. The song is ancient, well-performed, but showing no originality whatsoever. They head off towards the town. The trip takes essentially a whole day, but is uneventful. There is a gate, which is open, with people passing through the gate. There is a single guard, in half-armor, keeping an eye at the gate. The other gates are closed. “Halt there. Who approaches the Free Town? A priest, an elf, another elf… and you there, are you a bard? The mayor will want to see you. It’s been hard since our bard vanished.” He gives the group directions to the mayor and to the inn, the Eager Beaver. As they go into the town, there are statues all over the place, of wood and stone, and paintings on white washed walls. They also see the pavilion that Aleep saw in the memory. As they arrive at the inn, the innkeeper sees Ulgorio’s instrument. “Master bard?” “Yes?” “Welcome to Freetown. Are you here to perform?” “I need to talk to the mayor, but probably.” “Excellent, excellent. Our bard disappeared a year ago, and we haven’t had a bard visit since then. He left all of his things, his money, and everything else, but not his own harp, or him, or his magic pool.” Aleep confirms that the magic pool matches the description of the bowl they found. “Oh have you seen it? Have you seen him?” “Bartix slew the vampire that stole it.” The innkeep offers free dinners to the whole group in thanks, though he’s clearly deflated by the news and implication of the bard’s fate. “I must go and tell the priest of what happened to the bard.” “The priest is of Glordiadel?” “Of course! Are there others?” “Yes.” “Not here, there are not.” The innkeep bustles out. They have dinner in the common room, and the innkeep comes back with a burly man. “I wish to introduce you to Mayor Kevin.” “Ah, you’re the bard. I’m Kevin. I’m the mayor—at least until the next Judgment Day.” “Judgment Day?” “Every two years, our heart is judged. We each make a project, as best as we can, and then some people from out of town come and judge which project is best. The winner is mayor for the next two years.” The group is somewhat surprised but accepts this. The priest, Father Xerxes, arrives shortly thereafter. They conclude that this must be why there have been some blood-draining incidents. The mayor says that he’ll have to tell the militia and see about ferreting any other vampires out. Ulgorio agrees to sing at the place. The mayor tells them that the hall was built by a traveling elf who came through and created it by growing the trees into shape. That was also when the town changed from a wood-cutting village to focused on art. Aleep suggests the elf may have placed a glamour on them; the mayor agrees, but doesn’t care—“We are much happier than any of our ancestors ever were.” This happened within living memory—the elf said that he would return, and also said that the people of Freetown should continue to follow their human god and not the goddess that inspired him. The mayor shows Ulgorio the performance hall—the pillars are still vibrant and alive. When Ulgorio strikes a note, the hall transforms, with golden leaves growing from the pillars and the mayor suddenly wearing a brilliant white toga trimmed in gold. As the note fades, the hall returns to normal. (Aleep later confirms that the hall is enormously magical, with elven magic that is far beyond him.) With that, they return and sleep for the night. [End Session 35] [/QUOTE]
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