Session 11 – The Prequel Concludes (Part 1)

Meeting the Headmaster

The winter for the Heroes of Sorgusa was long and uneventful, but the past few weeks of Spring had more than made up for it. Since the forgotten temple of {redacted] was found, this was the first time they had truly been able to rest and relax.

Having finally fought for the first time since he was shipwrecked, Elzy spent a lot of time practicing with his rapier. Soon he felt he might be able to perform some of the maneuvers he once saw sailing the high seas. When relaxing, he took a lot of opportunities to talk with the boars. His magical connection with animals was definitely beginning to bloom. Through his conversations with the boars, he discovered that they definitely were trained to attack in groups to the sounds of different whistles, and to return with the signal was given. Other than their natural tendencies, the were never trained to hunt. But these boars are known as expert trackers and mushroom hunters. Their names were Carver and Currie.

Sylas trained all week with his new glaive. By the end, he could swing the large weapon around without embarrassing himself, he hoped. He discovered with Kelvara’s help that the blade was forged from the iron that comes from the Tears of Nythuly or a meteor. Bjarke has known for a year that Slyas has magical talent, that just had not been fully awaken. So he began to teach him the Glue spell, hoping an interest in learning would coax out his magic even more.

Grainne went to Adarte at the temple and spent as much time as she could learning about the Fishing Goddess that she thinks was named Mylari in the Weldorrian language. She learned that she was included in stories about Farlun at least as late as 350 years ago, but the stories changed as legends of the gods are apt to do. And the stories of Mylaribegan to be forgotten, eventually only remembered in a small fishing village called Sorgusa, and even then, she was eventually forgotten. But these stories reminded Grainne of a goddess on Shrinshaw that was worshiped on the coast that her mother and father told her stories of as they travelled from their homeland in search of a new life.

Eldaria spent time with their family. Remy came back from his jaunt on the seas with some fish, enough at least to eat for the week, but it was clear that in a couple of weeks, all of the fishermen would be out on the seas or along the coast to begin catching fish for the famed Sorgusan Salted Fish. Eldaria and their mother, Maria, then spent the week finishing up any net repair that was needed, along with some spring cleaning. With Remy out on the seas, and Eldaria heading out more and more with their friends, there wasn’t going to be another time. A few of the poorer fishermen families put in request for some new nets as well. A couple of evenings Eldaria met up with Elzy, Sylas, and Grainne at the Ivory Oyster. 

Near the end of the week, Lord Mourava returned to Sorgusa from Temparat. Stywert was summoned immediately, and there were some hushed conversations that Sylas was not involved with. But it was clear that what ever he had uncovered was serious business. In a couple of weeks more Tempore Guards would arrive.

At the end of the week, a finely dressed half-elf showed up at the Ivory Oyster. He greeting Bjarke with a strong embrace and they began talking like they had known each other for decades. The Heroes noticed that he a similar amulet as the Bard Enara had, a stylized A and O intertwined with a wave, clearly indicating that he was from the Arcane Order. Bjarke and him talked for awhile, and the Heroes could over hear that Bjarke had been talking to him about them for awhile. After a bit he walked over to the Heroes and introduced himself as Headmaster Mythony. His eyes indicated decades of experience and knowledge but because he was a half-elf, didn’t look any older than late 40s to a casual observer. After greeting and having them introduce themselves to him, though it was clear he already knew who they were. He talked that his potion master, Professor Uouh’took, was in need of some ingredients from up north, but that neither the Professor nor himself had the time to wander looking. The excuse felt flimsy and it was, it became clear that he really wanted to test them, see if they could survive the mission, and perhaps be good students at his school. He even hinted that perhaps they could make potions with Professor Uouh’took, their newest professor.

The thee items that are needed are fins of the Lorg snapper, dried Naiad kelp, and Mermaid agates. All three could be found up north in or around Mermaid Lake. Eldaria knew from the combination of their experience, along with consulting their new book, that Naiad kelp only grows in fresh water lakes, and the only place she knows where it grows up north is along the shores of Lynhare, on the north tip of Mermaid Lake. Furthermore, this type of kelp is definitely an ingredient in water breathing potions and it was exciting that they could perhaps one day make that potion with the school’s goblin potion master.

Grainne wanted to know more about the Mermaid agates, but knew nothing more than that they were just colored with a gradient of light blues and sea green. Wishing desperately for a library, Sylas reminded her that Lord Mourava was the only one with a library and that she absolutely could come see it. In all this excitement, Grainne had to change in better clothes if she was going to go inside the keep for the first time. Looking through the library, she found a pamphlet about agate geodes, including one that clearly was what Headmaster Mythony referred to as Naiad agates. In this area, the only known location to find them is on an island in the middle of Mermaid Lake.

After another night’s rest, and the Lord’s permission for Sylas, the Heroes set out due East and by the evening pushing through entered the forest north of Araxi. Nearing exhaustion from traveling all day, they found a nice clearing where a camp could easily be set up. But not all was right, along the far end of the clearing was a dead halfling laying on the ground in wooded lamellar armor. Grainne with her awaken interest in the health of creatures due to the death she had caused, noticed thorn marks on this female halfling. Those thorn marks showed signs of poison and then they heard rustling among the trees and saw bushes rising and moving toward them. Grainne noticed they all had thorns ……..

Nythuly

Nythuly is believed to be the daughter of Allatu who rebelled against her father and was banished to the moon. In this aspect she is a beacon of light and beauty while traveling at night. Sailors pray to her as they navigate the stars that shine across the night sky. Others believe she is destiny and from her all was foreseen. In this aspect, she is the patron of all fortune tellers, real or fake. One’s destiny is often tied to the grace of Nythuly. Still others believe her to be the offspring of Alemanuk who hides her true form behind a mask of beauty. In this form she is worshiped by thieves and those who wish to not be found, hiding behind masks themselves, never showing their true form. She is mysterious and prefers to stay that way.

Church of a Thousand Masks (Nythuly)

The Church of the a Thousand Masks exists in every major city, whether the residents or even the nobility that rule them know of their existence or not. Anywhere there are enough thieves, outcasts, and anyone who wishes to hide, priests of Nythuly are there to guide them. The shrines to the Goddess of a Thousand Masks are often underground, hidden, or may be even a particular location that the full moon shines on favorably that month. The priests may have lives that exist in the open, but they can meld into society and become anything they need to be as they guide their followers.

Spells – Power Investiture 1

1) Alter Visage

2) Alter Voice

3) Blur

4) Create Dark Fire

5) Darkness

6) Hide

7) Illusion Disguise

8) Illusion Shell

9) Know Illusion

10) Simple Illusion*

Spells – Power Investiture 2

1) Alter Body

2) Complex Illusion*

3) Dispel Illusion

4) Independence

5) Invisibility

6) Night Vision

7) Shadow Dagger 

Spells – Power Investiture 3

1) Blackout

2) Body of Shadow

3) Dark Vision

4) Perfect Illusion*

5) Transform Body

Session 10 – The Prequel Continues (Part 5)

Back Home Again

Helder woke up and untied himself in the early morning hours. He could have snuck out with no issues, but he was greedy. In his greed, he opened up the plank where he had stored a bag with stolen treasures. But in the process of opening up the plank, Grace woke up with axe in hand and Eldaria sat up looking around. They quickly saw that Helder looked at a bag and the door and started backing up. Eldaria tried casting a spell, but in their sleep deprived state just could not quite pull off more than just some weeds and flowers sprouting from underneath the door. Grace had a major decision to make, burn down the house or just threaten to burn down the house. Given Sylas was snoring and hearing nothing, Grace decided to intimidate Helder and he having seen what she could do so far, decided that death wasn’t worth escaping. It had become clearly a bad day for him.

Grace and Eldaria then got into a short spat about who would have to stay up to watch the bandits and Helder in particular, but Eldaria ended up convincing stubborn Grace that she needed more sleep. Which was true, Grace was close to just passing out from all the magic she had cast this night. So for a couple of hours Eldaria just stared at Helder to make sure he did nothing stupid. Meanwhile, she examined what was in the bag. Though it wasn’t until the sun came up that they were able to really see what was inside. This bag held the goods of probably two different burglaries or encounters. There was a gown or dress that was dyed to resemble the starry night, there were a couple of coin purses with gems and coins, and there was a beautifully crafted ring of billion with a monkey insignia. This ring could have only been crafted in the southern part of Elandorr. Also hidden in this alcove was a medium shield of no great craftsmanship, but there was also an ornately crafted glaive. Grace knew that this glaive along with the gown likely came from a priestess or follower of Nythuly. Though the Goddess of the Moon, she is also revered by sailors as a goddess of celestial divination and many thieves have her a patron of masks and mystery. Grace though only knows of her celestial nature and has prayed for her guidance many times in her youth.

Rules Break Out:

The gown ($40) and the glaive made from meteorite ($2,000) were from a priest of the Order of the Night Shadows. A sect of Nythuly worship that wander the lands. The gems are a 2.5 carat Elven Jade ($325) and a 2 carat Amethyst ($390). $270 in florins, and the ring is of a copper and silver alloy ($57).

Elzy, back in the woods with the injured boar, woke up to the sun shining upon him. With the boar, they slowly travelled back to the house of banditry. By this time, Sylas eventually woke up himself, having missed all the fun. He was very disappointed in Helder for his shenanigans, but it was clear that Helder was going to accept his fate. The glaive, though, lit up his eyes. Though he had never practiced much with pole-arms, he had seen them used to great success many times. He was sure someone at the keep could teach him, though likely not Malvim.

They crafted two litters to drag the prisoners back to Sorgusa, while Sylas also just carried one over his shoulder. The adventuring has done Sylas good, and it built up his strength. It took them all to return, finally arriving in the early evening. As they arrived in Sorgusa, they were met by three guards, one of whom was Malvim, who tried talking back to Sylas, but then thought better of it. He still had not gotten over being usurped as the leader of the Tempore Guards a year ago, after this young kid had only been in the Lord Mourava’s service for less than 6 months. Malvim, a man in his early 40s, has served the lord for over a decade in this hole in the wall town, and though he knew some lines couldn’t be crossed, never liked Sylas and couldn’t wait to seem him leave. But Melvin and the two other guards took the bandits into custody, while Sylas met with Stywert.

Elzy took the opportunity to return to his copse of trees that he calls home, now with two boars. Now that he has spent time with them, he talked to him using his magics. He told them that as long as they want, he will feed them and take care of them. Grace went to the Ivory Oyster because being out in the wilderness was draining. She needed to be the life of the party, so she started one. After buying a round for everyone, stories were told a little later into the night than might have been normal for the village folk. Bjarke had a conversation with her about magic and her experiences using it. He suggested that she learn Create Water to help if the compulsion became too strong. Though he didn’t push it too hard, knowing that if his plans turned out, she would learn it at the Arcane Order.

Eldaria snuck back into their house without anyone hearing them. They saw their brother Remi at the table eating some left over soup and bread before he retired to his room. In their small house, both her mother and brother have the two rooms, while Eldaria slept in the loft. Eldaria said hello to their brother, and really wanted to know how mad their Mom was going to be in the morning. This was not the first, or the last time, Eldaria has snuck out for a few days not telling anyone, but it had never gotten any easier for their mother. After some conversation Remy retired, but he had to get up early. He and a few of the other fisherman were going to try out the waters to see what they could catch and how much of winter had truly passed. Before Eldaria went to sleep, they left out the starry night robe on a chair for their mother.

Sylas and Stywert had a small discussion about the events, and once Stywert read the letter he became very concerned. Though late, Sylas knew the Lord would be informed shortly. But before Stywert left, he went over to a desk, unlocked a drawer, and pulled out four bags of coins. He told Sylas to give them to each of his friends and to take the extra cash as spending money for himself. Upstairs, in his room, Sylas felt otherwise, and divided the coins into three sacks for his friends.

In the morning while Grace woke up with a thundering headache surrounded by screaming kids, Sylas was summoned by Lord Mourava to discuss the matters in more detail. It was clear that he had already had the three prisoners interrogated. It would appear the keep needed a bigger dungeon, as it was now full until the mutineers would be released pending service to the village.

“I feel my young lord that what you have uncovered is a nefarious plot to sow discord and dissent. I am assuming the plan was to start small, ruin the prosperity of Sorgusa, and move on to bigger plots. It is very concerning that any lord or lady of Tempore would consider such an act, and having war with Parduck and Tempore does no good, until we are ready. If Katen falls, then it might become a reality, but it should not be something we desire. Of the bandits, I think the one called Raimun will be able to earn his keep as a carpenter, but this Helder fellow. I have never seen anyone try to make deals as much as he has. Though he will eventually get released, he may end up on a ship to somewhere else. You did good and it was fortuitous that you were able to find out what you did. I shall be going to Temparat and you will need to handle the affairs of the village while I am gone. Do not alarm anyone, but have the guards spend more time in the village than normal. ”