Last night’s session was a night of bad rolls, meaning crossing a river was a daunting task, Deneb had a spider-producing broomstick, and I was almost murdered by a vampiric cloak. Good times.
A Letter to the prison warden of the Flamewrought Vigil
Dear Warden Trek,
It’s come to my attention that you are holding a few rat people, (hereby to be referred to as Nimhish. Don’t ask, I didn’t come up with the name.) I’ve never visited the Flamewrought Vigil before, so I am unsure of the visitation rules. I would like to speak with a Mr. Ark. We are a few days away from the Flamewrought Vigil, so if there’s anything else I need for an appointment I will ask upon arrival.
Regards,
Alice Northwoods
(P.S. There’s a letter to Ark on the back of this one, so don’t read it because it’s not for you.)
Warden Trek don’t read this.
.
.
.
Ark
Hello. Hang in there, buddy. We’ll get things sorted out as soon as we’re able. Also, I’ll make sure to bring soup. If Trek doesn’t take all of it, I’ll make sure you and your grandmother get some.
A letter to Alice's father, Frederick Northwoods
Dear Dad,
From the time I’m writing this, it’s been about nine days since I left Obsidian. I’ve had some cooking practice, but I’ve been focused so much on traveling that I’ve had little free time to experiment outside of mealtimes. The good news is, though, that I found a really cool pot! It can instantly boil water on command. And it’s cast iron! I don’t have the tools to clean it properly, but I’ve made sure to get the dust off of it so I think it’ll be fine. Tell mom I’m doing fine, and that I’m sorry I didn’t write her her own letter. The courier has enough to do as is.
With Love,
Alice
(P.S. Tell me if you happen to hear anything about the ETE, ETE mages especially. We’ve got a slight mystery on our hands, so any information would be helpful.)
Session 3 Journal (Still the 9th of Forta)
Continuing past the river was… a process. On the other side, though, was an entire cavern filled with eggs! We determined that they’re salamander eggs, and that we probably shouldn’t wake their guardian. That being said, I nabbed one before we left. It won’t hatch without a source of steam, so we’re good to make an omelet out of it.
We found a dead end just a little ways farther, but one which was filled with two types of mushrooms; one of which glowed, and one of which emanates a ringing sound when planted. Naturally, I took a mix of both. Oh, and we also determined that Koal’s compass has two modes: one of which acts like a normal compass, and the other which points towards the closest source of danger. As it turns out, it’s on the latter mode, and the switch is broken. I’ll have to fix it up when we have better access to parts.
We doubled back… past the river… and took the other passage in the fork. We found a passage surrounded by spider webs, and sure enough there were very large spiders waiting for us on the floor below. There were a considerable number of spiders, so we decided the best strategy would be to flee down a passage that we could close behind us. Deneb also managed to curse her broom to emit tiny spiders. Every time she swung her broom.
One path led us to a shrine dedicated to the Seasonal Dragons. It would seem we’re all at least fairly faithful; Ryyan gave literal blood money, (ie a coin with a dash of his own blood,) Koal gave a bracelet, and Deneb offered some her magic. Alas, all I had was a sprig of lavender, which smelled nice, but doesn’t quite match my usual offerings, (you’ll have to forgive me for not giving up any omelet components, I had the perfect idea for them in mind.)
We soon came across the living quarters, which of course were completely empty. Or at least they should have been; while the proper owners had certainly been missing for some time, strange ghostly beings had settled in. Deneb attempted to investigate the throne room, only to find the door to it was a fake. It was actually a Cloaker, a weird spirit that poses as doors and cloaks to lull victims into a trap. Seeing Deneb in danger, I leapt into action. Very badly. I managed to pin Deneb to the floor alongside
the Cloaker, keeping her in danger and putting me into a bad spot as well. Before I knew it, that thing latched on to me and started sucking my blood. Admittedly, I don’t really remember much of what happened after that. My attempt to slash back was… pathetic. Thankfully, Koal had my back and pushed the thing away, giving Ryyan a chance to finish it off. In my haze I noticed a coathanger covered in cloaks, (and I later confirmed that it was not a terrible fever dream,) buuuuuut we left after I was very nearly murdered by a flying jacket. Deneb healed me up, and we were on our way.
We came upon the final chamber, and we were able to piece together what had happened after our investigation of the vault. Someone had drained the oxygen from this place, forcing the resident Nimhish to flee as quickly as they could. With the area’s inhabitants gone, they were free to rob all they could from the vault. And they did, save a single mimic. The mimic was nothing; we got the bright idea to just gang up on it and stab it before it could sprout legs. I almost felt sorry for the guy, but that’s what you get for not being ready for battle until after someone interacts with you, trickery or violence regardless.
In the mimic’s remains we found the treasure we were seeking, (and some mimic steaks.) I got this really cool cast iron pot that can boil water on command, Ryyan got a quill with limitless ink, (handy,) that’s also semi-sentient and can detect errors, Koal got a dousing rod that can detect imminent weather, and Deneb got a nifty eye that can see through walls. After we divided up our treasure, that little bird that was following us revealed herself to be a dragon, and that her name is Caper. Although she was quite curious as to the quality of our adventure, (4 stars, would recommend, though maybe with fewer vampire jackets next time,) she also informed us that the culprits were from the ETE, though she referred to them as “Dragon Cultists” initially.
Before Caper could get excited over the next adventure she was planning, we were visited by quite the odd bird. His name is Pash, and he’s… obsessed with our relationships. He and Caper brought us out of the dungeon, just in time for us to be greeted by a courier. She gave us all letters, and mine was… quite the surprise. It was from Ark, the young Nimhish we saved yesterday. It took me a moment before I remembered where I’d heard his name. He’s been jailed by Grand Duchess Cecile Oslam of the Flamewrought Duchy. I want to help an acquaintance, but if the Duchess locked him up for more than just a kneejerk mistrust of the Nimhish, this could be complicated. But since Ryyan is handling official matters perhaps I could pen a letter to someone else. It would likely be better for my anxiety.
Chopped up the mimic steak and made little sandwiches for everyone. They tasted good of course, but as always the grease they leave behind is just… not right. I shudder every time I have to clean it off the pan.