Session 28

Date: 4/5/2015

Attending: Jake, Dave, Chris, Joey, Justin

Absent: Aaron – Easter with Family

Start Time: 7:15 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 1,000

Game time elapsed:   about 2 days

Enemies Defeated: 21 Redcaps

Notes:

After the morning conversations of the previous session the party retired and slept through the day and night, meeting for breakfast on the following day (23^rd of Winter, 345 SV). Grigor asked his dad to arrange for them to be present for the meeting with the Baron, and he did. Meanwhile Fyn successfully transfers Rachets’ logic box into the Halfling sized body.

Shortly after lunch the Knights, Marc Risus, Pharun, and Father Theodore sat down with Jovithe, Sighnigh, and Baron Fredrick, under the watchful eye of four of Fredrick’s men.  The final decision was that Fredrick would allow the purchase of weapons for the villagers of Halvenspring so long as things did not escalate further than the palisade and arms practice, and that no siege weapons are constructed. Additionally there will be a new tax of 1 silver piece annually per individual who wishes to own weapons not suitable for hunting, and the village would have to fund its own defenses and armory. In the course of the conversation :

*It is apparent that the Baron and Marc Risus know each other from before

*The Baron knows that the party is the Knights of Mist Valley

*He knows about some dealings with the Marquis

*Bajol mentions Caer Wynnic and the suspicion that it was not plague

*Marc Risus and Pharun do not want the Baron to know how severe the situation is (or the party)

After the business is concluded the Baron asked to speak with the Knights alone. He tells them that in about a month’s time the entire court for both Mossreach and Avonhollow, summoned by King Albus, will be in Carradeen. He confirms that there are representatives from the Choval Empire in Carradeen, and that they may be the reason for the summons. He avoided saying that he wanted the Knights there – saying he was just informing them.

Afterwards the party spoke with Marc Risus and Pharun, demanding to know what they are hiding and why they didn’t tell the Baron. The response was that they felt that the baron would evacuate the village if he thought the threat was great enough, and that certain people who were hiding in Halvenspring could then be found.

Grigor then broke off to have a private conversation with Pharun about his mother and why she could not be compelled. Pharun recounted the events of Albaer’s assault on the Dark Warlock’s tower and told Grigor that his mother was something of a science experiment for her father – and that her mother was something that he summoned from beyond (presumably the void). He also said that an arms and armor merchant was instrumental in his parents falling in love and moving to Halvenspring – a merchant Grigor was able to identify with Ellicor.

Meanwhile Bajol was having a conversation with his dad, and found out that a merchant named “Cor something” convinced him to settle down and raised his family in Halvenspring. Marc said that what finally swayed him was since the Dragomir family was there he could fulfill another obligation (which revealed in previous conversation many sessions past was to watch the Dragomirs and slay them if any should show signs of becoming like the Dark Warlock). He also talked with Porter, instructing him to make the Sleeping Dragon a hidden fortress, with a secret siege weapon.

Sharing this information they remembered that Theodore said that Feydor’s mother had been convinced to move to Halvenspring by a merchant. Frumious asked his dad why they moved the shop to Halvenspring, and Uriah told him that a traveler named Mar something suggested it. The party decides that this is Marwyn, whom they believe to be working for or with Ellicor due to the blue anvil tattoo.

Grigor sets up Osgood to make wands and scrolls at his direction and the party discusses making a foray into the Firnockt to fight some redcaps. The next morning they find Grigor’s brother Darian and have him lead them to an old tomb in the Firnockt where he says redcaps are coming out of.

The tomb entrance is ancient and at one time had runes carved over it now weathered away by time – the few that are still recognizable are First World script. The party cautiously entered, Fyn leading the way, and found a three way intersection. Choosing the left most path they followed a slightly curving tunnel that ended in a stone door. A newer tunnel branched off to the left, seemingly piercing the older system from the other side.

The Knights chose to explore the door first, and found it stuck fast. With no small effort they were able to wrench it open. Realizing that it had been sealed for centuries at least they entered not expecting redcaps but alert for something else. A short hall lead to a large crypt room with horizontal cubby holes holding skeletons. The remains seem to be gnomes. Searching they found 3 magical vials that had been interred with a skeleton.

Coming back out they chose to explore the new tunnel next. Heading down they saw a redcap in the tunnel. The knights struck at it with missile weapons and it fled down the corridor.  Giving chase they found that it stopped in a section of the tunnel. Pressing the attack the party was surprised to find that there were false walls on either side which fell revealing an ambush. A lengthy battle ensued with the party victorious, but not before a redcap escaped in either direction. End Session

Omnos' Truth

As many of you know, I've been away on a journey, along with a few of Halvenspring's sons. We traveled to the East. Along the way, we encountered some wonders - strange new sights, both beautiful and terrifying. For the most part, however, I learned that the similarities we share with others outweigh our differences. The world is peopled with folks who find safety and strength in each other. They form towns and villages, trade services, share their joys and sorrows, and generally make life better for each other. I consider myself very lucky to have come from such a town. I love that I am from a place with its own traditions and memories. What I love most of all about Halvenspring, though, is that it is a receptive town. The Sycamores have been in Halvenspring for several generations. The Risus', the Dragomirs, the Sosyls - they found us one, two, or three generations ago. More recently, we welcomed Klaus Steelpick. Instead of closing our community off to new members, we welcome them, and we are often rewarded.

I owe my existence to this attitude. If Halvenspring were not such a friendly, welcoming place, my mother would have never met my father. I am truly Halvenspring's son. So I guess it makes sense that Linna Sycamore could be considered Halvenspring's mother, or at least she has been for every person who grew up in our church. My mother, at some point in your lives, has probably managed you in a bake sale, led your Libram studies group, or stitched some essential textile in your household. When I remember to keep an open mind, I get that from her. I love my mother.

Love. Along with joy, it's one of the primary things we understand about Omnos. These are his gifts to us. But do we understand these gifts?

What is love? Love is a value that we place on existence. When I say "I love you," it means "I value your existence." When we value the existence of something, we want it to persist, and we want it to persist because through it's persistence, we can continue to know it. Nonexistence is unknown to us. The best we can do is attempt to imagine it, but without the benefit of perception, we quickly become lost. It is outside of our reach. Therefore, when we value something - a person, a place, an idea - we are desiring for it to exist, so that it stays within our ability to know it.

What is joy? It's not equivocal to happiness, although they have much in common. A freshly baked biscuit, hot and buttery and warm from the oven, that can make me happy. But that happiness is like catching a cool breeze on a summer day - it's fleeting, it's not meant to last. Joy is a happiness that is much deeper, from within your heart. Joy is a feeling we get when things are right. And what do I mean by right? Remember that the world is not perfectly according to the plan of Omnos. Scripture informs us that the world is flawed. Every now and then, however, we experience a part of the world that is in line with Omnos' plan, and our hearts experience a natural reaction to seeing his perfect work. That reaction - that's joy. It's a positive energy that is so visceral, you feel it flowing throughout your body.

Isn't that something?

Omnianism preaches love and joy.
Omnos, creator of the world, provides value, and his value is positive.

It does not require any extraordinary leap of faith to know Omnos exists. His work is evident in the miracles he works through us, and through the emissaries that he sends to us. It requires faith to believe that Omnos is the creator of everything, that no other being known to us or otherwise approaches his power, and that he will deliver upon his promise to collect us from the Hall of the Silent Lady at the end of all things.

Oftentimes, the faithful believe that we are limited by what is still contained within the Mystery. For contemporary Omnians, one of our challenges is to remain open and available as new information from the Mystery is revealed to us. Omnos, in his wisdom, has revealed to us information from which we have derived only a few central tenants, with much left open to interpretation or, in some cases, speculation. Interpretation is our privilege as Omnos' creations - speculation less so. Do not fear the change that new discoveries bring, but be wary of drawing hasty conclusions without evidence. Remember that the world is not according to Omnos' plan - we are working to get back to his perfect design. There will be those who seek to take advantage of these flaws. They will wrap their own beliefs in Omnian cloth, but if you pay close attention, you will see that some logical leap is required, something the scripture does not support. Be independent thinkers - don't presume to let the clergy dictate your beliefs to you. Instead, let us be your resource of information and guidance, and become your own sages and scholars. Any priest who tells you otherwise likely has ulterior motives.

Most importantly, continue to live your lives. Love and cherish each other. Find joy in the truth, and appreciate it the way one might appreciate a wildflower in the midst of a field of weed and clover. Your keen eye will discover the ways Omnos introduces his design into the world.

Profile: Red Sashes

The Red Sashes is a police/guard organization in the Marque of Dalus, functioning both as town guard for Shadowmount and the Marquis’ peacekeeping force in the northern area of the Marque. They are identified by the red sash that they wear either from shoulder to hip or around their waist.

The Red Sashes are empowered to take action as they see fit, including executions if deemed necessary. The Marquis has few rules and laws, but the ones he does are expected to be strictly and severely enforced. Aside from that the various Captains of the Red Sashes make what judgement calls they feel are appropriate.

The Red Sashes respect their lord’s power and authority, but do not revere him and certainly do not love him. Red Sashes who prove to be power hungry or unfair usually disappear suddenly and violently, one particularly incompetent sergeant being snatched by a grey flying humanoid beast in the middle of a field on a clear day. His head was later thrown down amongst his patrol.

Journal Entry #20

Osgood,

I realize that you were present for most of these events, but who am I to part from convention?

So I am going to jot down some notes regarding the last 24 hours just to keep the memories fresh.

Made it home to find Nolan still here, yet completely uninterested in most of what I had to discuss.

He is heading to investigate Mario Treyvan in Goldmeadow.

Found out all of the town save my mother was under the compulsion of the toy maker.  They were all wearing little wooden dolls around their neck.  When Bajol realized that his father was under the spell, he headed for my tower, as did Frumious and Feydor upon realizing Fr. Theodore was also bewitched.  Needless to say we headed to his shop that night to deal with the issue.  What we found will keep me from sleep for several nights to come, I'm sure.

A small squat cottage in a clearing, deep in the forest.  Around it, hanging from trees were small wicker figurines, and trinkets.  Frumious went to deal with a shed full of sticks, and raw material.  The rest of us went in to confront Salavic.  When we entered his shop, what we found was a figure made of wood, similar to a marionette.  It addressed us and as we began to attack it, it seemed to lose its life force.  I realized that the possessing entity was still in the room, and while we did not kill it, it did leave the area.

We decided to burn everything, and as we were getting ready to do that the puppet said that all would be destroyed this evening, or some cryptic shit like that.  We then burned everything BUT the magical item, one of which was a set of woodworking tools that identified as "Set 14 - Woodworking tools".  We took all of the magic item back to town and Fyn broke in to every home in the village removing necklaces.  Good thing too, for as soon as the tools were set on fire, all of those necklaces went up with a fire hot enough to smelt some metals.

So this morning we called a meeting at the church with ourselves, Onsmythe, Theodore, Nolan, Marc, Pharun, Klaus and the Grey Council.  Marc dismissed all but Us and my father.  He then proceeded to inform us that if we have bigger things to deal with, go and deal with them.  We shouldn't be bogged down here.

I was really looking for information once we got home, but I am guessing that information lies in another location.  Perhaps the tombs of Goldmeadow, or out on the Western Sea.  I also need to have a conversation about why she is the only person in the town immune to compulsion.

OK, we are off to talk with Onsmythe about the Human not Human thing.  Maybe he will have a little insight.

Session 27

Date: 3/29/2015

Attending: Jake, Dave, Chris, Joey, Aaron, Justin

Absent: None

Start Time: 7:20 p.m.

End Time: 10:40 p.m.

XP awarded: 700

Game time elapsed:  2 days

Enemies Defeated: Salavic

Notes:

The party rode hard and arrived in Halvenspring at dusk on the 2^nd day from Ramsrun. Orius immediately bid the group farewell and went to meet with Klaus. The party split up for a bit that evening.

Bajol went to the Sleeping Dragon Tavern. He was greeted by Porter, who welcomed him warmly. They went into the office for a private conversation regarding the business. Porter informed Bajol that business had been good, and that 2,500 gold pieces were in the kitty. Porter suggested expanding the menu and using some of the profits to add onto the building so as to be able to rent rooms. Bajol gave Porter a 15% raise, promoted him to General Manager and told him to build the business as he sees fit, reserving about 20% of profits each month to support the defenses of the town (to be collected by Marc Risus).

Bajol then asked Porter about Salavic, at which point Porter began sweating and obviously could not answer. Bajol noticed he was itching something on his chest in response to the question “Did you buy anything from Salavic?” So as quick and gently as he could Bajol grabbed Porter and ripped off a small wicker doll that was hanging around his neck on a piece of twine. Immediately Porter seemed free of a controlling influence. Bajol left the Dragon and headed to Grigor’s tower.

Fyn headed to his home and checked out his workshop and living quarters. Seeing that the vice in his workshop had been closed, he slowly searched the building from top to bottom, looking for evidence that someone had been snooping around. The only thing he found was a note that said:

“As far as you are concerned your only family is me, your father, and your brother. Do not talk to anyone else named Sosyl! – Styren”

After reading the note Fyn locked up and went to Styren’s house, only to find it closed up and no one home. Swinging by the Sleeping Dragon (just missing Bajol) he asked Porter if he had seen his uncle. Porter told Fyn that Styren had left for Templemount 23 days ago (originally stated in session as a week and a half, now corrected upon DM note review). Fyn then headed to Grigor’s tower.

Meanwhile, Feydor and Frumious went to visit with Father Theodore. There they informed him about their adventures, and were disappointed that he didn’t have any information about Brulor or any first world religions beyond commonly accepted Omnian dogma. He informed Feydor that Feydor’s mother had been a slave in Nath, and that she had been bought by a Cult that intended to sacrifice her. Realizing this she fled to the Seven Vales where she found employment in Earl Augustus’ household. It is unknown when and by whom she got pregnant; Theodore had no info that contradicted the story Feydor knew. Apparently she met someone – Theodore suspects the merchant she presented as Feydor’s father – who suggested that she relocate to Halvenspring.

Frumious inquires as to the theology of Narsus (First Patriarch of the Choval Church). Theodore politely made it clear that he rejected Narsus’ beliefs (church as ultimate political and secular power, conversion by the sword) and would not accept Vornic’s leadership if Bishop Vornic chose to align himself with Narsus.

Frumious then asked Theodore about Salavic, only to have Theodore go mute and begin sweating. Frumious and Feydor then went to Grigor’s tower.

Grigor went straight to his tower after the initial split. Finding Nolan and Osgood, he had a conversation where he filled in Nolan on the Knights adventurers and asked him about his own. Nolan said that he was a High Bard, and his superiors assigned him to figure out what the political situation is with Mario Treyvan in Illmar. Nolan had little knowledge of anything first world, and was more interested in the local and recent political concerns.

About this time is when Bajol arrived and told Grigor about the wicker necklace. Going inside they tried to take Osgood’s but he ran upstairs. The rest of the party caught up at that point and Osgood was liberated when Nolan fascinated him. The party resolved to confront Salavic that night. Bajol went to invte his dad to come, and Grigor went to his house for the same reason. Bajol saw that his father was affected as well and headed back. Grigor encountered his mother who was not wearing a doll, saying that such things don’t work on her, and she told him that the entire town was enspelled.

With that the Knights and Nolan led by the freed Osgood headed into the Firnockt to confront Salavic. Along the way Grigor entrusts the Book Box to Kyros who flies off to hide.

The area around the cottage has various wicker objects hanging from the trees, and Little Baskins refuses to step into the clearing. The cottage is a lumpy squat building with a storage shed on the side and a high angled roof. A single light is on in the window.

Frumious heads to the shed to burn down the stored materials. The rest of the party rushes into the cottage, Bajol kicking down the door. It is all one room, covered in twigs and wicker materials and tools. Seated in a chair in front of an oil lamp is a Halfling sized marionette, which turns and addresses them. The party briefly converses, with the puppet letting them know that burning down the shack would result in the deaths of the towns people. Finally they break the mannequin apart, after he realizes they do not have the box and correctly deduces that the “drake” has it. A small wicker bird launches into the night.

Fyn and Feydor collect all the things from the cottage that are magical while Bajol and Grigor pursue the bird. The bird as it flies gathers wicker and morphs into a dragon. Grigor throws an acid spell at the dragon while Bajol shoots it with his bow.  The dragon disintegrates and a small wicker bird falls to the ground with Bajol’s arrow through it.

The party regroups and heads back to Halvenspring. After some discussion they (ok Fyn) breaks into every house and removes the wicker amulets from the towns people. Having collected them all they burn them with everything collected at the cottage, noting that the amulets flare with an intense heat when the tools burn up. They then plan a meeting of town leadership in the morning.

The next morning everyone gathers at the Church – the party, Pharun, Marc Risus, Karl, Theodore, the Grey Circle, and a few others. The party begins telling the assembled about Salavic and demands to know what is going on in the town and Firnockt. When they mention the cloaking nature of the town Marc Risus dismisses everyone except the party, himself, and Pharun – an authoritative action that angers Fyn and Frumious. He tells the party that he will not give the full details as he does not want the Knights to get caught up in local doings and neglect the other events they have been involved in (he having been filled in on the party’s adventures by Bajol earlier). The party reluctantly accepts this and leaves. Next they head to Onsmythe who proves to have more knowledge than they expected. The conversation is derailed however when he suggests that an Omnian would give a different answer (regarding the “are we human” question) and Frumious takes exception to that. End Session