Tolamaker
Adventurer
Session 32: After the Storm
In Simeon's office, the group tells him all that happened, Simeon sighs, and nods along as they speak, only occasionally asking a clarifying question. When they're done, he thanks them for their service to Seaquen, and offers them help. "We may be in disarray, but we are a mage's college, are we not? We'll see what we can craft that might be of aid."
The party then went to find Torrent, to tell her of Lee's fate. She has already spoken with Shayam, and seems angry, but as the group talks with her, she reveals that Le had been odd, always busy, and their first day in Seaquen was the only time she was able to talk with him at any length. She angry, angry at him, and corrupting her good memories of time spent learning under him. After a day and a half caring for wounded during and after the hurricane, she's too exhausted to cry as Mishka and Aripos hug her.
Over the next two weeks, the party helps rebuild Seaquen, as the weather begins to return to its natural state, and the temperature drops. It is winter, after all. They also hear news from Gate Pass. Word is that the Ragesians have taken several of the gates, though the number is disputed. The Shahalesti and Gate Pass Resistance are apparently on more even terms now, and even if they aren't officially allied, they aren't getting in each other's way at the moment. The Shahalest in Seaquen however, slowly begin to disappear. Criers go about applauding Mayor Votberd for negotiating their leave with the Princess Shalosha. Land-locked sailors suddenly find themselves free to move, and the Auyang family spurs them on, seeking to regain lost profits.
Mishka continues learning to embroider with the Ragesian women, trying to make a satchel for Torrent. Aripos begins learning to brew alcohol for real, and learn more Infernal from Orwin. Eluriah finishes her lessons with Tiljann, and can now speak Sylvan without the aid of the necklace found in Innenotdar. Then, she spends the rest of her time meditating to produce primal essence for a magical staff she wishes to create. Orwin finishes his apprenticeship under Tenga, learning all that she has to know about tattooing magical inks, and his thesis is to tattoo a spider climb spell tattoo on Aripos. Aripos asks for a small spider, to go along with his dancing Fern tattoo.
During their break, the party goes out for a night on the town. They get drunk arm wrestle Mishka when none of the other patrons will. Orwin convinces Eluriah to make a salad from the petals of the dream poppy they have, and they all eat it. Mishka is the only one able to withstand the effects, and everyone else has a strange effect where they are seeing double. They aren't cross-eyed; the petals are making them see about three seconds into the future. Overlayed with what they are actually seeing, they have a grand old confusing time. As they unleash themselves on Seaquen, Eluriah starts shouting about elves and dowries.
In the morning, they are woken by a student who requests them to come and speak with Simeon. They all awake nursing headaches, but Eluriah wakes to find that she has married an orcish refugee named Lurog. They don't remember the ceremony at all, which Mishka gleefully fills them in on.
Post-Session thoughts
So, this was mostly an inbetweener session to get on to the next module, and it was fun. Not outlined above was the time spent tallying up loot, and discovering how powerful the ring of the pyromancer is (Ring of Fire Elemental Command). Also, rolling to see what was in Madame Xendros' brokerage this month now that ships are free to sail again. The whole session was pretty laid back.
After the first try, I am heavily in favor of this new downtime strategy. It didn't really speed things along, but it was far more natural in how the roleplay came about, and it lead to every DMs dream: sitting back and letting the players do all the talking.
Changes to the module
I made the wait two weeks, instead of one. Controversial, but I felt like it was worth it. I don't know why, but I stand by it.
For the Future
I mentioned in my last post trying to cut things down, and I haven't quite done that, but here's a rough guideline for myself in my goal to finish Module 4 in a reasonable amount of time (and slightly avoiding spoilers).
1. In Between Session, and receive mission from Simeon (already behind, but I'll try to catch up.)
2. Travel
3. Court
4.Travel
5. The Pass
6. The Lesser Court
7. Prepare
8. Conflict
9. Probably more Conflict
10. Travel and Fair
11. Finish Module
I already know I'm being optimistic. If I was going to cut anything, I would cut either the Pass or the Lesser Court, letting a group of NPCs do the other job.
In Simeon's office, the group tells him all that happened, Simeon sighs, and nods along as they speak, only occasionally asking a clarifying question. When they're done, he thanks them for their service to Seaquen, and offers them help. "We may be in disarray, but we are a mage's college, are we not? We'll see what we can craft that might be of aid."
The party then went to find Torrent, to tell her of Lee's fate. She has already spoken with Shayam, and seems angry, but as the group talks with her, she reveals that Le had been odd, always busy, and their first day in Seaquen was the only time she was able to talk with him at any length. She angry, angry at him, and corrupting her good memories of time spent learning under him. After a day and a half caring for wounded during and after the hurricane, she's too exhausted to cry as Mishka and Aripos hug her.
Over the next two weeks, the party helps rebuild Seaquen, as the weather begins to return to its natural state, and the temperature drops. It is winter, after all. They also hear news from Gate Pass. Word is that the Ragesians have taken several of the gates, though the number is disputed. The Shahalesti and Gate Pass Resistance are apparently on more even terms now, and even if they aren't officially allied, they aren't getting in each other's way at the moment. The Shahalest in Seaquen however, slowly begin to disappear. Criers go about applauding Mayor Votberd for negotiating their leave with the Princess Shalosha. Land-locked sailors suddenly find themselves free to move, and the Auyang family spurs them on, seeking to regain lost profits.
Mishka continues learning to embroider with the Ragesian women, trying to make a satchel for Torrent. Aripos begins learning to brew alcohol for real, and learn more Infernal from Orwin. Eluriah finishes her lessons with Tiljann, and can now speak Sylvan without the aid of the necklace found in Innenotdar. Then, she spends the rest of her time meditating to produce primal essence for a magical staff she wishes to create. Orwin finishes his apprenticeship under Tenga, learning all that she has to know about tattooing magical inks, and his thesis is to tattoo a spider climb spell tattoo on Aripos. Aripos asks for a small spider, to go along with his dancing Fern tattoo.
During their break, the party goes out for a night on the town. They get drunk arm wrestle Mishka when none of the other patrons will. Orwin convinces Eluriah to make a salad from the petals of the dream poppy they have, and they all eat it. Mishka is the only one able to withstand the effects, and everyone else has a strange effect where they are seeing double. They aren't cross-eyed; the petals are making them see about three seconds into the future. Overlayed with what they are actually seeing, they have a grand old confusing time. As they unleash themselves on Seaquen, Eluriah starts shouting about elves and dowries.
In the morning, they are woken by a student who requests them to come and speak with Simeon. They all awake nursing headaches, but Eluriah wakes to find that she has married an orcish refugee named Lurog. They don't remember the ceremony at all, which Mishka gleefully fills them in on.
Post-Session thoughts
So, this was mostly an inbetweener session to get on to the next module, and it was fun. Not outlined above was the time spent tallying up loot, and discovering how powerful the ring of the pyromancer is (Ring of Fire Elemental Command). Also, rolling to see what was in Madame Xendros' brokerage this month now that ships are free to sail again. The whole session was pretty laid back.
After the first try, I am heavily in favor of this new downtime strategy. It didn't really speed things along, but it was far more natural in how the roleplay came about, and it lead to every DMs dream: sitting back and letting the players do all the talking.
Changes to the module
I made the wait two weeks, instead of one. Controversial, but I felt like it was worth it. I don't know why, but I stand by it.
For the Future
I mentioned in my last post trying to cut things down, and I haven't quite done that, but here's a rough guideline for myself in my goal to finish Module 4 in a reasonable amount of time (and slightly avoiding spoilers).
1. In Between Session, and receive mission from Simeon (already behind, but I'll try to catch up.)
2. Travel
3. Court
4.Travel
5. The Pass
6. The Lesser Court
7. Prepare
8. Conflict
9. Probably more Conflict
10. Travel and Fair
11. Finish Module
I already know I'm being optimistic. If I was going to cut anything, I would cut either the Pass or the Lesser Court, letting a group of NPCs do the other job.
