There’s probably a town between the Nomad encampment and the Flamewrought Vigil, possibly somewhere in Sunset territory. And if we get the Annabelle stuff cleared up in Flamewrought then we can probably do ___swept right after that instead.
I think the plan is to go Nomad Encampment -> Duchy -> Deneb’s Grandma -> ____swept.
Gran will be fine. Probably? I don’t think anything could like, actually put her in actual danger.
I may be slightly late starting today because my spouse can’t not plan things on Wednesdays. I very frankly told him he could plan any kind of bullshit on literally any other day but Wednesday but he just can’t not.
I’ll do my best, we are still having game today. Hang out and chat until I get there okay? Maybe closer to 9 than 8 unfortunately. But I’m gonna try my best to be on time.
Ryyan's Journal - Session 4
From the journal of Ryyan Pendel, Third Heir to the Pendel Barony.
This day has not gone as expected. After we finished exploring the Nihmish warren and setting out for the Nomad encampment, I thought things were going so well. Sure, the insects were out in larger numbers than we had anticipated, but the kind nomads gave us ointment that helped ease the pain. And I felt so sure and confident the day after that, as we shopped for appropriate attire for the diplomatic summit I had requested.
And then it all started falling apart when we entered Flamewrought lands proper.
I was SO certain presenting evidence of my birthright would allow us entry. How could I have forgotten the bureaucratic nightmare that is my Aunt’s domain! I barely remembered the existence of the ‘Family Visitation and Emergencies’ loophole, but by the Dragons, THAT turned out to bring more trouble than before!
I must hold on, as the Grand Duchess will hopefully receive my letter soon, as I am certain she will host the negotiations about the Nihmish after doing so. I must have courage, as I know every delegate that answers the summons will bring whatever eligible suitors along with them. What little I have heard of the Flamewrought matchmaking system is confusing at best, terrifying at worst. I…Dear Dragons, how many suitors will that be…?
Ryyan doesn’t even finish his journal entry that night, as he rocks back and forth on the bed, hyperventilating at the thought of all the people that are going to be vying for his affection in the coming days.
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I made a ballroom for next session. 
Also…
"Caper's Journal Entry 3 (AKA Session 3 Summary)
I didn’t expect this. How disastrous. Someone came in there and suffocated the Nimhish out and then looted the place, and the cloakers and mimic moved in too… To think they’d have such a difficult time with the river, I almost lost Alice, that would have been tragic! But she took that steam salamander egg, and they made it back okay. I got quite afraid when they started faring so poorly against the cloaker. But they handled the mimic with style and were rewarded.
Deneb got a wooden eye which enhances her perception and allows her to see through walls.
Koal got a dousing rod which makes him more resilient to terrain and warns him of oncoming weather.
Ryyan got a quill pen which improves his negotiation and never runs out of ink.
Alice got a cast iron pot which fills with water and boils water on command.
When I found this place, I did not know its history. Now that I do, I feel awful. I didn’t know what I was leading them to, but I couldn’t let them know that. Now, I leave them in Pash’s care.
Session 4 summary coming soon.
Please each email me 5 pogs of suitors or people you would like to see at the event. I already have accounted for:
1.) Baron Sedwick Arbor & his Consort.
2.) Lord Ahn-So and his daughter (Oh-Kae) and son (Eh-Good-Nuff) (So you could make pogs for his other kids)
3.) The ETE (Yes it’s Wyserias himself.)
4.) The Faeries. (But we could always have more Faeries.)
5.) Ryyan’s Mom and 6 of her handpicked suitors (the most anime of suitors, we could always have more)
6.) The Minor Lord of the Fisher Fiefdom.
7.) The “Leader” of the Sunset Sentinels, her wife, and their “bodyguard”.
8.) An Emissary from the Courier’s Collective.
9.) The Earls of Decent.
10.) Annabelle, Deneb’s Gran, and the Nimhish (If Applicable.)
I could use:
1.) More Suitors.
2.) Various NPCs of your choosing like the Desert Merchants or some of the Nomad’s Godparents.
5 pogs each if you can, believe it or not that won’t even be enough to fill the space but we can assume more people are there. Email them to me at AN EMAIL ADDRESS. If you are making a suitor and using http://rolladvantage.com/tokenstamp/ (which I strongly recommend) please use the color code B6399A for the border. Otherwise the default color or whatever color you want is fine.
Gosh I’m bossy.
(I made so many pogs! And we have a special VIP at the party, I hope you enjoy!)
Last session had us go from shopping for outfits to bureaucracy, and of course fashion was the most important part of the trip.
Whoops All Cosplay
Inadvertently went with a sliding scale of femme --> butch outfits, but I guess that’ll happen.
Session 4 Journal
After saying goodbye to Caper and moving on with the ever-present Pash, we immediately ran into a swarm of bugs. If that wasn’t an omen, I don’t know what is. Thankfully, we were greeted by Rowan and her Grandma (actual title) Tone, and they provided ointment. We did our business, I fixed the compass, and we settled down for bed.
10th of Forta, 1107
We made it to Wagyu in almost no time at all. Upon arrival, we immediately hopped over to the clothing store to prepare for our stay in Flamewrought. Poor as I was, I probably wouldn’t have been able to buy what I did had Ryyan not talked the price down so much. I’ve not dressed so fancy before, but I think I chose some cute outfits. After that, we decided to take it easy and rest for the night.
11th of Forta, 1107
Traveling to the Flamewrought Vigil was, unfortunately, far more dangerous. Given the climate, we were all singed on the way, and the checkpoint was a hassle. The Flamewrought Vigil is a place that’s heavy on bureaucracy, and honestly I underestimated just what that meant. Thanks to Ryyan’s political influence, we at least managed to skip a few lines. That being said, I can’t use the kitchen without filling out some paperwork so I guess I couldn’t get over every hurdle. Archie, (I think he’s a junior worker around here? He’s certainly not a guard or a lawyer,) offered to get a start on that, which was nice of him.
Deneb and I went to visit Warden Trek. I expected more from him, but uh… no. His brother’s nice enough, but apparently Trek himself became frustrated with Fairies playing pranks on him when traveling to the region, and that’s why he hasn’t been the one to visit in years. Honestly? It was probably for the best. The man seems to be something of a letch, and the prison he runs is nothing short of disgusting. I don’t know why I was expecting something small and tidy, but I guess that’ll teach me to give the benefit of the doubt. Ark and his grandmother looked to be in bad shape, but they were holding on. They were acting like beasts in hopes of avoiding harsher punishments, and it seemed to work. We managed to convince the warden to allow them into our custody, since we’re traveling with a lord. Our own “punishment” supersedes theirs, so it looks like we may be in the clear for getting those two out.
After we finished our business in the prison, we met up with Ryyan and Koal, who were supposed to be having a meeting with the Duchess. Instead, it seems like they’ve all set up a dating event??? I blame Pash for this, but no matter what it looks like we’ll be doing more than diplomacy.
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Another letter to Gran
Dear Gran,
I went clothes shopping for the first time ever! I like my dress a lot but Ryyan said it wasn’t really appropriate for all the fancy stuff we’ll be doing soon. I googled “goth prom dress” found a really cute gown that was in all the colors I like! 
The shopkeeper said I should get these really dumb pointy shoes that I couldn’t walk in, but I think my boots are fine (but I did get some shoe polish so they’d look super nice). I also got a little black dress, which I guess is good for pretty much every situation? I like it because it has a heart in it! 
Everyone else got super cute clothes too. But they were expensive!!
We also went to a… prison and Gran it was just awful. I don’t ever want to go in a prison again, everyone was sad or miserable and all the prisoners looked like they were starving and abused. Everyone was like that dog we took from away that really bad hunter when I was a kid, the one we healed for a long time and even then always had that limp.
We found the Nimhish friends we met earlier and they were in such a sad state and they were pretending to be dumb animals so I had to do something! Alice and I managed to maybe get them released to us so we could get them away from that horrible place.
Gran I’ve seen a lot of new things since I left but this was the first thing that made me angry. Like, really really angry. I’m mad just thinking about it right now. I don’t like that people treat other people like this. It’s wrong and I hope I can do something about it, I want to use everything I learned from you to make things like this not happen.
Oh I didn’t mention before but we have a new dragon following us around, he’s blue and his name is Pash and I think he likes kissing a lot??? But not like him kissing, but like getting everyone else to kiss each other?? He’s super weird and I don’t really get it but I guess stories like that are something else the Seasonal Dragons like so… Gran have you ever kissed someone? Is that like a common thing people do? I don’t really know anything about that since it was only really ever us and the chickens in the forest, and chickens don’t have lips. No one who visited us ever offered to kiss me, anyway…
I only ask because apparently Ryyan’s aunt is trying to find a “suitor” for him and I guess she thinks the rest of us could be his suitor? I don’t really understand but Pash said kissing is involved… and a whole bunch of other things he rattled off when I asked him, things like trust and companionship and love and attraction and some other stuff. It was hard to follow and I don’t know what magnets have to do with it, but he said it’s pretty much the most important thing to him. I guess its a whole deal that’s like… more than just being friends? And like, I’ve only just made my first friends when I started this journey and I like them a lot so I guess its like that but different?
I’ll let you know if I figure it out. But anyway I guess we’re gonna be in some kind of contest to be Ryyan’s suitor and I’m gonna try my hardest because you’ve always told me anything worth doing is worth putting your whole heart into! I hope there’s like a magic contest, I will definitely win that!
Gran I hope you sorted out everything with the hut and I hope the chickens are OK. Alice looks like she wants to go to bed so I’m gonna put out the light and go to sleep now too.
Love,
Deneb
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Pash's Journal Entry (AKA Session 4 Summary)
Finally, some travelers! I’m so glad! It’s been such a long time since I’ve had travelers under my care and I was so lonely I’m excited to get started on the adventure! I have such plans in mind. It seems we already have a love triangle blooming! So exciting! 
They had goods to sell so they headed off to the Nomad families in the East first. Along the way they were bit up terribly by insects. I couldn’t do much to help them 
. Alice managed to fix that Nimhish compass but Caper didn’t tell them the whole of its abilities… Should I? Feh, I’ll have to think on it because them knowing such things would distract from my plans. It wouldn’t lead to the kind of story I want to tell. Regardless, everyone seemed delighted with their magical items so Caper did a good job… I guess. Back to the recap: The Nomads were a nice enough people, but I think its a reflection of my magic, and of the nature of my travelers. My travelers are kindly and good natured and my magic augments and projects their innate qualities to others. Seeing and feeling the wholesomeness of my travelers, it would be difficult for many to be unkind to them. Grandfather Toan seemed nice and Rowan was definitely incredibly kind. No doubt their own innate goodness was influenced by my magic. With Koal’s help (and some coaching from Rowan) my travelers made a small profit, spent the night, and made it to the Border City of Wagyu.
Here’s where things get great because Ryyan had decided to get everyone fine outfits. I got to help them get make overs! It went exceptionally well! Though it was quite expensive, Koal got everyone a discount. It was worth the money they look amazing! 
I adore them.
From Wagyu it wasn’t far into the Flamewrought Duchy. Once they neared the Great Brushfire the embers that rained from the sky scorched them and injured them. This trip was not being kind to them, but there’s little I can do about it. I was anticipating the excessive bureaucracy of the Flamewrought to hold us up but the team worked together to not only get through the checkpoint but to get escorted directly to the Grand Duchess and the prison warden. I don’t know what happened in the dungeons because I had to work my magic on the Grand Duchess. But Alice and Deneb came back none to pleased with whatever went on down there. I hope they’re in good enough moods to participate in the upcoming event and festivities with all their hearts. I’ll speak to them to see how I can help them.
Things are starting soon, I need to conserve my energy. Talk to you soon Journal,
Pash.
Heyboots isn’t able to make it today after all but we’re still playing tonight and I’m gonna be recording the session so he can listen to it on his car ride or something (if that’s okay with you folks. Let me know in the call.) I’ll see you all at 8:30 PM EST.
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Pash's Journal (AKA Session 5 Summary)
The day started off with a bath in the baths where Baron Sedwick and his lover Julian discussed how this whole business was going to be messed up and worried about what manner of nonsense the ETE was going to get into with Koal.
Then the party started and just like I wanted, there was a lot of drama. What I didn’t want, however, were other dragons and they were here too! I didn’t realize it when I set off this event but when Cecile invited so many people she brought in four other overlapping stories!
Wyserias has a red dragon. My cousin Tear is traveling with a woman named Emerene. Some youngsters that got roped into this have a green dragon and Grand Inquisitor Vryn is still in cahoots with the black dragon, Shrike. All these competing stories and all these dragons each using their magic to try to influence things is causing all kinds of chaos! I wanted drama but not like this!
For the Great Dragons’ sake! Susan Crushbone showed up! That is how wild it got.
Koal got engaged and broken up with on the same day. There was some heated discussion about Grand Inquisitor Vryn’s daughter (who I think is Deneb) and Wyserias got shot!
There was also cooking competition, which Alice crushed (though I think Ryyan has a crush on her.) A dance competition where Deneb and Annabelle won. And so much diplomacy and intrigue going on in the background…in my romance story!! I’m certain it’s Shrike’s fault!
I don’t know what to do about all these conflicting and competing stories! I can’t let this story get away from me, I want each of my travelers to find love and to have an amazing story to tell! I won’t quit!!
–Pash
Potential Things to be Done:
-Private meetings with Wyserias of the ETE and Nesrin of the Sunset Sentinels.
-Four travelers with wanderlust are trapped in the Flamewrought Duchy because of bureaucracy.
-The Nimhish are still imprisoned.
-I’m probably forgetting things and will have to edit this.
Things Definitely Happening:
-A quiz show.
-A swimsuit competition. (And you don’t have swim suits)
-Probably more.
See you all Wednesday, July 26th at 8:30 PM EST!
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Ryyan's Journal - Session 5
From the journal of Ryyan Pendel, Third Heir to the Pendel Barony,
Tonight was an unmitigated disaster, in every sense of the word. I thought I was prepared for what awaited in the ballroom, but I couldn’t imagine what the night would bring.
I love my mother dearly, but I cannot fathom what she was thinking when she picked out suitors for me. I have spoken to her at length about my current lack of interest in romantic matters, but even so, she could have looked for somebody who was at least more interested than I! Half the people she introduced me to looked like they didn’t even want to be there! But that wasn’t the worst thing that happened, oh no, not even close.
Of course Wyserias was there. And while I must admit taking enjoyment in properly snubbing him in front of dear Aunt Cecile, there was something about him that set me on edge (more so than he usually would). It wasn’t until Pash told there were other dragons in the ballroom that I started to feel panic. Wyserias is under the influence of a red dragon, and from what Pash tells me, the stories they create are filled with war. It goes without saying that it was impossible for me to even pretend to enjoy the party, or the cooking competition (although, Alice’s dishes were excellent, and she outdid herself tonight). Even discovering the fact that Beatrice had been dating one of my traveling companions for months prior to our first journey, did little to phase me. It does seem odd, still: Beatrice is the type who would definitely brag about such things rather than keep them secret.
I really wish I could focus on romantic endeavors, if only to appease my Mother and keep my end of the bargain to Pash. But how could I possibly find love when the threat of war looms over us all? Shouldn’t I be trying to avoid conflicts? Trying to make the world safer, for everyone? Pash says that there are many forms of love, all of which he considers important to include in his stories.
What kind of love can stop a war before it even starts?
2 Likes
I messed up the map and drew a really awful rendition of the borders as they currently stand among the major players. Here it is:
I’ll probably put it in the 2nd post and reserve the first post for the world map (which I also keep changing as I/We add more factions)
Oh whoops, I never got around to posting last week’s journal. This was the session in which everybody fucked up, emotionally speaking.
Session 5 Journal
12th of Forta (Midnight), 1107
During the night, we were summoned by the Grand Inquisitor, Vryne. Deneb refused to wake up, as I later learned, due to a drugged cup of tea. Vyrne is the last obstacle between us and freeing the Nimhish, as she believes their rat-like behavior to be an act. She’d be willing to sign the paperwork, but she wants Deneb and/or her grandmother in return. Alas, as long as Deneb is asleep I am not making any deals with any scary gun-wielding ladies, even if she is very intimidating. Very, very intimidating. Thankfully, I was able to leave without anything horrible happening, so I’ve staved off some sort of horrible confrontation for at least one more day. Which means I can go pass out now, bye.
12th of Forta, 1107
Today went pretty well, despite my lack of sleep. During a brief hotspring episode, I got to meet Ryaan’s sisters, and they were nice. I agreed to be fake girlfriends with Beatrice, because much like Ryaan she’s been under constant pressure to marry. I guess a preference for adventuring runs through most of the family.
It didn’t take long for me to realize I was being watched at the party. Vryne, of course, took an interest, as did another party guest who I hadn’t met before. And given I still had Deneb, I decided to take a bit of a risky move. Koal seemed busy; during the party he ran up and requested the compass, then quickly returned to his table. Apparently his, uh, date, had some ups and downs that I’ll have to ask him about later.
Some of the guests, (though I couldn’t guess if they were invited before they invited themselves,) were a small group of fairies, headed by someone who may or may not be a/the Fairy King. In exchange for Deneb’s safety, he only wanted to know a bit about the Nimhish, (which, upon reflection, I’m surprised he hadn’t heard of. I distinctly remember a river that was in pretty close proximity to the encampment itself, so you’d think they would be a little familiar with it.) Either way though, he obliged, freeing me up a bit to enjoy the party.
The first competition was precisely my jam: the cooking competition! I started by making omelets, (special thanks to Beatrice for sneaking the good mushrooms and egg in. I’ve been dying to use those.) Second round I made burgers. Extremely good, mozzarella and bacon burgers. In the final round, though, I faced some difficult competition. This round we had to make ice cream, and my opponent had quite the fancy recipe prepared. Good as it was, though, my dad’s strategy of “simplistic but well made” was the way to go, and my mint chocolate ice cream (barely) won.
With Deneb safe and my competition won, I decided to speak with the very intimidating man glaring at me from the other side of the room. His name is Shrike, and he’s a Dragon like Caper and Pash. As a Black Dragon, he’s less interested in travels than the two of them. Speaking with Shrike was enlightening; he and Vyrne are still together, but it seems like he has an interest in other peoples’ stories, (read: ours,) as well. He also vagued about how stories help the dragons grow, and how there are many types of love Pash should be satisfied with. I’ll reflect on his words more when I’m not about three seconds away from faceplanting a pillow. That being said, we ended the conversation and, heroically, I managed to not wet myself.
It was about that point at which Deneb’s grandmother came in, Annabelle in tow. It seems the two had quite the argument, and Deneb’s Gran had a few words for Vryne as well. Beatrice kindly offered to kick the ass of anyone I needed, but we were interrupted by the second event: the dance competition. I was with Beatrice, Deneb had woken up and immediately found herself dancing with Annabelle, and both Ryaan and Koal were dancing with women I’m not familiar. Deneb won, but I think Ryaan and I should both get runner up awards for not making our partners cry directly afterwards.
Vyrne’s little argument had gotten heated by the time both Deneb and I had freed ourselves from the rest of the party. And by “heated,” I mean Deneb’s Gram was preparing to storm off when Vyrne pointed a gun at her. Reacting in the only way I could, I flopped straight into Vyrne just before she fired, and the bullet hit Wyserias instead. In response, Deneb and her Gram hexed Vyrne, so now she’s blind. I
checked on Wyserias, and oddly enough he didn’t seem to bleed. Personally I was so panicked I could have believed I just didn’t see it, but he wasn’t bothered by a bullet wound so something’s going on there. He only told us he wanted to speak with our group before he rushed off.
Before calling it a night, I asked Archie if there was anyone who would sign in Vyrne’s stead now that she’s blind. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t seem there is. He offered to forge a signature, but such an action would definitely come down on him, and as angry as I am with him for drugging Deneb’s tea last night, I wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing him under the bus in exchange for the Nimhish. Maybe now that Vyrne is under a hex we can all come to an agreement without anybody suffering. Any more than they have.
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Thanks for the Journal. Oh, by the way, we’re all playing tonight right? No changes? I’m ready.
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What won the swimsuit competition?
You might be surprised!
https://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/wolf-underwear.jpg
YEAH.
OH BY THE WAY:
- Red
- Black
0 voters
Edit: I’m always so amped up after game! Here are some of my ideas for next session.
Exactly what kind of story are you feeding your dragon?
Red Dragon:
- Pendel, Arbor, and Decent get invaded by the ETE.
- The Party gathers allies and goes to Warswept to fight off the invaders.
- After repelling the invaders they must go save Pendel for it has fallen to the ETE.
Black Dragon:
- In Warswept, Koal can use the Compass and the Dousing Rod to discover the source of their repeated tragedies. It’s all coming from the same place.
- Grand Duchess Cecile gets assassinated, leaving her son, and Ryyan’s elder sister, to rule the Duchy and leaving Beatrice to be the heir. Beatrice abdicates to Ryyan.
- Deneb’s Demon-Mom???
Ultimately I’ll make it work and I don’t want to bias the vote in any way but I think going from Black to Red will flow smoother. However, it really is up to you.
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Ryyan's Journal - Session 6
We are at war with Etru.
After everything that has happened just today, it still feels unreal to even write that sentence. I tried so hard to find a way to avoid this. I half expected that by giving Pash the story he wanted, we could leave and not have to face Wyserias. I have failed.
In trying to remove the other dragons that were interfering in Pash’s story, I inadvertently found a match for my sister Beatrice. She looked so happy with Alice, but seeing her walk hand in hand with Emerene away from the quiz show made me doubt my actions. I haven’t even asked Alice how she feels about this. After all, they’ve been together for months now.
What’s worse is that I offended Annabelle to the point of being challenged to a duel when I named Deneb the winner of my quiz show. I did not expect her to attack me like that, nor did I expect Deneb to step in harm’s way. I failed to consider Annabelle’s feelings during this whole affair.
My proposal I asked Deneb to When I was ready to
She said no. I should have listened to her when she said that she wanted someone who had really thought about marriage before proposing. I could have waited until well after this whole ordeal in Flamewrought. But I was so afraid of meeting Wyserias, because I felt that there could be only one outcome. Proposing to someone during a war just seems… wrong. I just wanted to solidify our bond together, to protect her by bringing her into my family. Looking back at how she received Annabelle’s affections, I should have realized that she had no interest in relationships like that. I am such a fool.
I doubt Pash would agree, but I no longer really put any faith in his advice.
The meeting with Wyserias proved to be worse than I expected. Not only had he been influenced by a red dragon, but he had been possessed by a demon for decades! And after exposing him for the monster that he is, he struck Deneb and Annabelle took him out the window. They both disappeared over the cliff, but not before he declared war on my country.
I wanted to end this fiasco with Pash without hurting anyone. But I have doomed countless lives to the oncoming war. This is my responsibility, and so I will see it to the end.
Whatever the cost that may be.
3 Likes
Shrike it is. Time to get to work! Gotta make maps and such. This post is gonna be edited because I wanna explain his benedictions and artefact. Gimme a few hours.
OK, so we’re gonna have Shrike’s introduction in character next session and then I’ll update the Ryuujin in the OP. Until then here’s what I’m thinking for Shrike. The pertinent information, as it were:
Shrike’s Artefact:
Shrike’s Benedictions:
Shrike has a final Benediction since I get 4 as a level 4 Ryuujin and I’m making my own called: Briar of the Liar’s Tongue which forces characters (NPCs and PCs) to tell the truth if Shrike beats their condition.
Let me know if you think this is too powerful!
My Promise to You:
- I’ll not kill anyone arbitrarily.
- I’m not a jerk.
- Shrike rulz ok?
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