Home Stories - Session Summaries
Session: 20211119c
- So we've finished up with β-ice, we have a cat to chase to Pandemonium, and we have a moment to breath and prepare. And raid the tower! Well, after some of us get Mist Sick, again.
- Talwin looks for clothing in the kitchen as his armor was too heavy to dimension door in with him. Lanek helps him, Branwyn double checks a door off from the kitchen, and Raelynn goes to look at the shrine. The only point of maybe interest was confirming that yes, the Being we saw in the Twin Paradises? That was definitely Ahto and the statue looks just like him.
- The next floor is mostly empty except for a large table, but no banners. There's no fire in the hearth (and no surprise), and nothing else of much interest.
- The top floor is where it's at! But we had to be methodical before we got here. Didn't want to miss anything, did we?
- We found a lot of stuff. Well, mostly mage stuff, but enough to get its own bullet point for additional organization stuff and things: two and a half spell books, four scroll cases, two books, a bone of a giant, two scrolls inside, and a small oblong box.
- The two spells books are Seven Skies of the Universe and Science Of Metaenchantment Volume I. They are now in Branwyns Library for your perusal. And you can thank Lisa for typing all that up (and TMO for putting it in Discord) because I was not planning on putting all that in summary!
- With the combined power of two bookbinding experts, we can tell that the half spell book is likely the second volume of Meta Magic, and with careful work, maybe a spell or three could be saved from it.
- The magical scrolls can be found on the Ws4 page for perusal as well.
- The two normal scrolls includes one reading, "Aman al-Raqib is saying that he researching into the past have unraveled the mystery of MarRek who died at least 10 centuries ago and it says that his prophesy has merit and the land might be spared the devastation that awaits it if a party of heroes can recover the Sphere of Power. It continues to implore that adventurers come to Bralizzar to undertake a quest to stop the Evil One from breaching his bonds,".
- The other scroll that was closed describes placing five gold cubes (in the box) in a particular pentagram arranged in a specific order to create a gateway. It likely goes to where Al-Raqib needs the group of adventurers to go.
- The two normal books are Calibrating Entry into the Planes via Amulets and Tulip Varieties and Where You Can Find Them.
- So with ice tower successfully raided of all useful things (probably, although weren't there some scrolls to travel the Astral Planes in there?), we return to the manor to debate: how we enter the hostile world of Pandemonium safely without being reduced to mind-shattering madness.
- Some enhanced earplugs with a mix of wax AND cotton? I mean more insulation is good, right? We don't have Bose available to us here.
- A list of potentially useful spells to try to find the cat soon? A ranger who'll hopefully track and a few others who can also try to befriend said cat? If it's, you know, an actual mammal.
- Notecards and pictograms drawn up to help us communicate when we can't hear each other? Light for everyone so we can also see them? Put them on the thick cardstock.
- Some useful spells like wind ones and silencing to help us not go mad from the wind? It's a real thing, trust me. Ever been to the plains of Oklahoma? It NEVER stops being windy. Only insane people live out there.
- Extra rope to make sure Bixi doesn't fly away? Or at the very least, so we can make our own gnome kite?
- Anyways, we have ideas. Will they be enough? Do we need more?? Well, we'll take more ideas if you've got 'em. Just go ahead and add them over here. Good? Good.
Quotes of the Night
[Master] The Seven Skies of the Universe spell book contains Wriuen by Cas;mur, his spell book contains gust ofwi"d. whbpering wind. rainbow pattern, precipi/( liion. c/olulbut'St. and wind wall.
[Master] sigh
[Talwin (Michael)] (Uh)
[Lisa] how freaking drunk are you?
[Master] that is the drunk level of Adove
[Master] Adobe
[Lisa] adove
[TMO] Craigh: Bookbinding check: (d20) [1d20=10] 10 - ROLL SUCCEEDED against 13!!
[Lemon] Oh hey, I have bookbinding too! Can we stack our efforts?
[TMO] At last! An apprentice of my very own!
[Craigh (TMO)] (Come Apprentice Bixi! To the Book Cave!)
[Lemon] Bixi Fizzlebang: Bookbinding check: (d20) [1d20=8] 8 - ROLL SUCCEEDED against 15!!
[Lemon] Bookbinding PROS!
[Carissa] (I think your apprentice is already better than you...)
[Craigh (TMO)] (Hush Carissa)
[Lemon] But our usual strategy of "try to talk to everything first" might not work as well
[Michael] A note that says "cool things?" or "Come here"
[Lemon] We'll just make notecards for things that could potentially attack that say "Do you like us? yes/no/maybe Circle one"
[Raelynn (Carissa)] Oh and a book on tulips. I mean they ARE nice, but roses are a better symbol of love, I think.
[Branwyn (Lisa)] I'll bet they discuss the Lyon Estates in the tulip book
[Bixi Fizzlebang (Lemon)] Oooh, that sounds interesting!
[Raelynn (Carissa)] I'm sure no one minds if you read it when we get a chance.
[Branwyn (Lisa)] You should take it and read it
[Branwyn (Lisa)] (I wish once I would type faster than Carissa)
[Branwyn (Lisa)] :)
[Master] remember the cloth only has so many uses
[Lisa] does it?
[Carissa] It does?
[Lisa] :)
[Carissa] ooh faster than me this time!
Complicated Emotions Summary (Short)
Session: 20220114s
- After a short (but also somehow long), complicated visit to Pandemonium, we're back at the Inn of the Eagle with Licornah in tow. To which we can officially say, Welcome back, Lorie!
- We all untie ourselves, make sure everyone is fine, and are greeted by the ever-confused Gerry. Hopefully he's used to it by now because it likely won't ever be not confusing.
- Although, to be fair, he confuses us by telling us our short trip somehow took three days?
- And no, once again, not all elves know all the other elves. Also confusing, I know.
- Licornah is simply happy the cats are safe, not as concerned about where she is relative to home.
- Now to proper introductions as the wind won't deafen our ears and the evil dwarves won't try to kill us!
- We get a bit more information as to how the High Silvermaiden sent Licornah to the Plane of Pandemonium, then told her she would know when to leave (hello!).
- There is a brief debate if anything actually eats rocks and if salt counts as a rock. We're also informed that Gerry is starting to get some travelers visiting the inn. From what Era? We don't know, but guests are guests!
- We also have a brief conversation on what The Mist is, about vampires (it's complicated), and all the usual stuff. You know.
- After some intense studying, and a call for volunteers, Branwyn teleports with Licornah, Rimel, Raelynn, and Craigh to the city of Hiyal and the tower of Maya.
- Some young human runs into us, thankfully speaks Common, and leaves to fetch Maya without any real fanfare (no complaints!).
- Maya who is looking better, although cannot quite cast magic again yet, asks for the story of how we found Rimel. We tell her, but she wants more embellishments and details. We attempt to give her that, but I'm not sure it was to her satisfaction still...
- There is also some comparison of the Duergar Dwarves to the Yak Man, whoever they are?
- ANYWAYS, we leave it there with some of the group chatting to Maya and Namsut halfway across the world, and the other half at the inn with some cats needing homes.
- Will we find them some? What kind of home do they need? What else does Maya need to know about our trip? As always, find out next session!
Quotes of the Night
Gerry the barkeep: You went to bring back someone to keep cats?
Gerry the barkeep: and brought back cats too?
Craigh: You can never get just *one* cat.
N'laea: Although I am certain that purple worm eats rocks. Whether or not it is an animal is a different discussion.
Johan: A purple worm? isn't that what swallowed Brer?
Johan: and Brer is not a rock
Johan: Well Brer might have rocks for brains
Bixi Fizzlebang: Oh, a stream! They probably ate weird fish
Johan: Why weird fish? why not normal fish?
Bixi Fizzlebang: You think there are NORMAL fish in Pandemonium?
BOB and I hope Lisa and TMO and Carissa smile at that idea of Dragon Fen stretching from a southern border north
BOB you built that
Lisa (Branwyn): we did!
TMO (Craigh): on rock and roll!
Lisa: based on Carissa's elf weight thing I don't think they will weigh more than 100 lbs. each
Carissa (Raelynn): looking it up, I'd say most average around 95-95 lbs.
BOB Really tight average
Carissa (Raelynn): ....*85
Session: 20220121s - 20220121c
- The party is currently split. No, it's not a bad thing. Is it usually? Yes, but not this time. It is simply important to note because the set-up for both scenes can be found here as well as in the chat, but I am NOT going to write a summary for the same arc for a third time.
- You're caught up now? Good. Let's start back up at Hiyal where we find out how exactly the princess decides to reward us for finally giving her all those juicy details of our adventure. It'll definitely be worth it, right? Hmm.
- Licornah fills in the blanks: she was dispatched to Pandemonium by the Silvermaiden to protect Rimal and the other cats (who did not tell her why they followed Rimal, but yes, more followers than friends). They avoided the dark dwarves and, well, now you're caught up.
- We also find out that she has a brother, is the daughter of a farmer, apparently there exists dark unicorns, and that no one within the party know anything about any place called Thay, or Silvermoon, or Mystara, but we at least know Mileikki is NOT an Elven deity so... progress?
- We speak briefly of languages, if cats have different types of languages, if Youtargim (the man who greeted us when we first arrived) is human or if he speaks so many languages he simply has to categorize them by human, and of the locket. The locket we finally convince Licornah to give back which is... just a magically version of a GPS tracker. Worn to not lose Rimal (how'd that work out?). Fancy!
- Branwyn asks about the Sphere of Power quest and what Bralizzar is like, but we don't know if that's even a place or a person. Mostly we just gain encouragement by Maya that yes, it could be a good quest for brave adventurers to go on some day. Oh, and a translator.
- We saved enough room to teleport back... another person, apparently. That's our reward: Youtargim, the translator already with an interest in Raelynn yet thinks teleporting instead of sailing is cheating. Well this'll be fun! Just remember, as Maya said: treat him with the respect he earns. Fun word choice there, eh?
- Fun BOB quirks: he doesn't often describe things, that's what your imagination is for, but when he give more specific details about who you're speaking to, say age and race and gender, then they'll probably be hitching a ride with you soon.
- We wrap up our Hiyal visit with Branwyn telling Maya a bit more about the Mist, some contemplation as to why she cannot cast yet, and a bit of contemplation on how things may have been different for Maya if she'd realized she loved Namsut sooner.
- So back to the inn! What was that voice? Will the cats learn to play nicely? Can we get some cheese, please?
- Talwin comes to check on N'laea who simply categorizes being attacked as rough play. I mean, it's a cat and that's actually usually true, but details. At her request, he goes to grab some cheese for training, but unfortunately none of them know the source of that voice.
- What follows is typical cat behavior: attempts to bribe with cheese, some success, some failure. Finding out the panther is a bit impatient, the Elven cat is a bit of a tease, and the leopard is as dainty and behaved as can be. But still no ideas where they want to go, if anywhere...
- There is a brief conversation with Gerry as well. Poor Gerry, friendly as can be and still trying to understand this new world yet filled with the existential terror of realizing he can never, ever leave the inn or he'll disappear, just like those other folks. Trapped here forever, only able to get word from the outside, supplies from the outside, hope from the outside...
- But anyways! Isn't N'laea a priestess? Wait that's the other elf? Well is she royalty? Is this a question he asks anyone not human? N'laea is N'laea, Talwin tries to be the peacemaker, and we all leave with Gerry slightly more educated and N'laea weary with the world. Also he'll keep those cats if we want, but is that a smart move?
- Party Unite! Teleporting is a bit like sailing through time and space, right? Cutting it a bit close to putting yourself six feet under, though... literally and figuratively.
- Some introductions, some Ghostbusters, and some clarifications on where we go from here.
- We also introduce Licornah and Youtargim to the Mist. Er, neither of them handle it well. Partially expected, but the latter does pass out completely. Hopefully we can travel out of the Mist again soon enough so the sickness won't linger.
- So what about those cats? Well, Licornah doesn't mind either way therefore we decide to let Branwyn adopt the Leopard who seems most likely to be good with the kids while N'laea will foster out the Elven Cat and Panther. In regards to the Mist, the Panther of course seems completely unbothered by it. Is it a normal panther...? The other two need help to the wagon.
- Will the cats end up as foster fails? Is Craigh going to die from his cat allergy? Only one way to find out. See you Friday!
Quotes of the Night
Branwyn: It cannot be much harder than for those that work in the kilns here. Manual labor is hard for everyone that must do it I imagine
Lisa (Branwyn): at the kilns - I hope no one works inside a kiln
Bixi Fizzlebang: calls out to N'laea; Maybe one of the cats is a cursed ghost! Used to be a human or something!
N'laea: No...
Bixi Fizzlebang: shrugs and takes a note about ghost cats anyway
Bixi Fizzlebang: shrugs. "I just think if I was a ghost cat that could talk, I'd hold out for a better bribe."
Bixi Fizzlebang: Although it IS ghost cheese so maybe that's different
Branwyn: Namsut knows the Inn out of the Mist. That is the best way
Lisa (Branwyn): that's what we should rename it
Carissa (Raelynn): (I approve)
Carissa (Raelynn): (or would it be Inn And Out Of The Mist?)
Lisa (Branwyn): Yes!
Carissa (Raelynn): (Perfect)
Branwyn: Yes we need to return a library book
Talwin: He does know what Hell entails right?
Lorie: (they speak GM in Hell AFAIK ) ;o)
Carissa (N'laea): (hell if he knows)
Youtargim: A library book
Youtargim: How mean is that librarian?
Craigh: Devilishly mean.
Talwin: Is to die for
Session: 20220128s - 20220128c
- Tonight is mostly about getting to know one another, planning for our trip, figuring out who will be going on the trip, and thinking about who we may wish would stay behind...
- So we'll start with Youtargim who informs us he's a captain of sea and sand, can fight with a scimitar, and is generally just trying to figure out his place amongst us. And yes, we do clarify that our group is friends and each has their own person they report to, which seems to confuse him, but whatever.
- Then there's Tiberius who is feeling very neglected. Somehow we went from looking at a tower to lots of mini-adventures between, and he is NOT going to miss out again. Will he actually behave? We hope. He usually does, but that doesn't mean we're not still... concerned. He still doesn't know N'laea carries a sword that supposedly talks, and now he never will because she will not be the new Kel. Nor will Tiberius ever believe Elves without talking swords exists after he finds out. Let's avoid that stereotype, okay?
- The rest of the party is set: Branwyn, Indigo, N'laea, Raelynn, Craigh, Bixi, Licornah, Talwin, Lanek, Elven Cat, Panther. It's... going to be a thing. OOC a long thing, but IC they hope for a short thing so, uh, we'll see?
- Anyways, other less important to plan topics at mealtime included food, ghosts, Shi and Kel, unintentional (we hope) insults, interacting with deities, the inevitability of being given a nickname by Tiberius, vampires, scrolls, and unicorns. So, you know, normal mealtime conversations.
- In regards to the actual planning portion, there are warnings about being around so much Elven stuff.
- Will eating meals cause one to be drunk like on feywine? Will blindfolds be needed to pull on away from the beauty of the land and buildings? What IS safe for non-elves in the Elven paradise? To be fair, none of it is unsafe, per say, just... kind of like being constantly drunk and high, or on drugs, or other things that is not something everyone wants to do so, you know, it'll be interesting.
- How exactly will we find Sehanine Moonbow? Does she have a palace, attendants, things of that sort? Or is she free roaming, doing her own thing, more down to earth? None of us know. She IS the Goddess of Long Journeys so she might just find us, but, again, we don't know. We only know we have to go to at least the same plane as her, first.
- Tributes are prepared just in case: the homemade bag with the cloak, some silver bells, some jewelry, and perhaps some of our art artifacts we've found over the years that we can give if needed. If not for the gods, then perhaps to trade some of the inhabitants. And yes, we should probably expect to run into more than one god, for better or worse... hopefully better.
- Well there we go. Any last minute preparations? Post them now before Friday!
Quotes of the Night
BOB Lorie and Lisa and Lemon how far into the future do you want to advance things?
Lisa: as little as possible?
Lisa: we keep advancing time - we will be elderly adventurers before long
Lisa: well not the elves
Bixi Fizzlebang: Elves are confusing
Tiberius Branadarus: Yes they are
Clinks glasses with Bixi
Tiberius Branadarus: Women are confusing enough, then you make them an Elf?
Bixi Fizzlebang: Hey!
Bixi Fizzlebang: I rescind my clink!
Indigo: That's not gonna happen. Shi has a new boyfriend
Tiberius Branadarus: WHAT!!!!!
Tiberius Branadarus: Does he know?
Tiberius Branadarus: WOW
Indigo: Yeah he's lucky Kel hasn't killed him but then Shi would kill Kel so maybe it's okay
Craigh: She makes a good apprentice.
Bixi Fizzlebang: laughs
Bixi Fizzlebang: Ok, so when Craigh leaves the room, I want to cast an illusion of a disembodied arm holding a note that says,
Bixi Fizzlebang: that says "I miss you"
Bixi Fizzlebang: From the sounds of things, Jilly, we might be gone for a long time, and Tiberius might get us in trouble with some goddesses.
Bixi Fizzlebang: I don't think you'd want to risk that with the baby so young still
Carissa (Raelynn): (and the gods might believe us once when we say "we're not with him!" but not twice)
Carissa: I think at this point, N'laea is tempted to talk Branwyn into them both stealing away into the night and leaving everyone else behind
Raelynn: Well we DO know Hanali is more beautiful than you can ever imagine!
Tiberius Branadarus: I don't know I can imagine quite a lot
Bixi Fizzlebang: Us specifically or everyone?
Tiberius Branadarus: I will rely on you and Indigo to guard me Bixi
Bixi Fizzlebang: Hey, I don't think I can help you much if you upset a goddess
Raelynn: Your version of quick isn't the same as... other people.
Bixi Fizzlebang: Oh no, is there a time traveling half ghost in elf god lands?
Raelynn: No no no. It's just.... elves can be... elves.
After Cloak Check and six years later...
Session: 20220513s - 20220513c
Unfortunately, unlike some authors, Lemon knows when to call it quits before she writes her stories into the ground. For now... Anyways, as she refuses, here is the novella she could have written:
- We're back from Cloak Check and back at the Inn of the Lost Eagle. Who's that bloke, anyways?
- As Bixi has a panic attack that Gerry might be dead, Raelynn and Branwyn try to figure out just what this guy is talking about? Branwyn is Branwyn, duh, and now you'll glow bright to bring your dimwittedness into better focus, for doubting who she is.
- Gerry comes out, is confused, sends (Ganis) Goplin on his ways, tries to reassure... Blissy, was it? ...that he's fine, and oh wow, that's the real Branwyn, isn't it? Damn, she's been gone for so long! At least Craigh's enemies are potentially dead by now. Wait. What?
- And let us point out here, for how worried Bixi was that Gerry might be dead or harmed, Gerry didn't even remember her name. Wow, Gerry. I have a feeling you lost your title as favorite NPC here.
- After we definitely reassure Gerry it is, actually, truly, honestly the real Branwyn with her real friends (and with real knowledge to not eat the honey), he casually lets us know it's been six years or so, no big deal, but also very big deal.
- With that knowledge, we all rush home! Oh wait, the Mist and Mist Sickness. We all rush home! Except the elves who have to be dragged home!
- Yeah, apparently none of the three rolled well. Somehow they're the only one who get Mist Sick, and get it bad, but that seems almost fitting, doesn't it? Either through pity, a lacking desire for another feast, or no wish to be involved in the upcoming drama, Bixi and Craigh decide to hang back with the elves.
- Lots of politics, catching up, feasting, and such happen, but here's your highlights:
- Ilero's back! Not happily, but someone had to be in charge and take care of the imposters while Branwyn was away AND confirm the real one has returned.
- The kids have grown up some, obviously. It's been six years. Thistle is also now an adult?? Nevin and Jilly have HOW many children now?! Do they not know how protection works???
- Something called a hurricane came through, a mimic house ate a cow somehow before it smashed to the ground, someone threw acid on Jennevive who is somehow less nice now, someone died, Youtargim is at a loss for words, and people are still getting over the shock of the six years passing and the fact that elflands was oddly devoid of elves for the most part.
- Anyways, yes, things happened, characters are adjusting, or not, and we've got some housekeeping and more on Friday. See you then!
Quotes of the Night
Noble with horse : I am Lord Goplin
Lemon (Bixi Fizzlebang): Ganis Goplin?
Carissa: Got your tissues ready for Gerry's funeral, Lemon?
Lemon: The one NPC I really liked
Lemon: This feels malicious
Lisa: He could have died years ago
Lemon: He also could have been made immortal, after being caught in the smashing of the sands of time. But noooo, not with OUR DM
Carissa: Maybe he's having an identity crisis. The possibilities!
Lisa: Maybe he accidentally made a peanut butter and honey sandwich and time traveled somewhere
Craigh: Huh. I wonder if I've outlived any of my enemies?
Raelynn: You had enemies?
Bixi Fizzlebang: How many enemies did you have?
Craigh gives Bixi a 'later' gesture.
BOB The rest staying back to help the elves make it back at a slower pace?
Lisa (Indigo): yes sure
Lisa (Indigo): since apparently you can't leave a wagon for 6 years and expect to find it again
Session: 20220520s? - 20220520c
- A full session, a total of four hours and something minutes, of planning. Not a single speck of character chats or anything. You know how I feel about that. At least the summary is easy? Because it's really just random thoughts and opinions by me at this point.
- Thing that is important to me: the wolves did have babies! I really question how they had so few. An average litter size is 4 to 6 wolves so why did these wolves, who are supposed to be like real world wolves, have a single pup a few years apart?? Does BOB need a biology lesson? If they're going to have "real world" wolf lifespans, they should have real world wolf litter sizes.
- Either way, at minimum, three new wolves (or litters???) who are 2, 4, and 5 years respectively. Names to be decided.
- Thing that is probably important to Lisa: Johan learned a spell, but Howard lacked the confidence to attempt for six whole years and therefore did not even try. Poor Howard.
- Things that are important to Lisa and me: we sort of kind of identified our gifts from the goddess?
- Fire Seed is... a fire gem that starts fires which, as a mage who can do the same thing with the snap of her finger is, uh, of questionable usefulness.
- The Elven Cloak is... an Elven Cloak that is somehow slightly better? But this puts Raelynn in a weird moral dilemma: does she wear the cloak of sentimental value from her father or does she wear the slightly better cloak from the goddess? Does the goddess think she's more important than Rae's father?? Who will be more insulted by her decision??? What does she do with the second one???? And yes, I did already write a story about her cloak months ago so this shouldn't be news to the goddess.
- N'laea has a quiver that is... uh, a quiver. I mean, maybe not completely a quiver? Something weird about it and The Mist and some such? They'll investigate this again at the Inn with the sunshine. Maybe it's not just a normal quiver. Maybe. But with both staying back, something they can look into again while everyone else runs off to Dryad's Lair and such?
- Other miscellaneous things that don't get a special bullet point mentioned below.
- Characters going on this trip: Talwin, Indigo, Howard, Craigh, Bixi, Licornah, Zayden, Thistle, Raelynn, and Youtargim. And assuming Lanek for the single Friday that Spring is in each month.
- If you are sad about someone being left out, or want someone else to join who isn't on this list, speak now or forever hold your peace.
- Bixi is making plans for a house and a list of what to take on the journey, Zayden is finishing his mid-life crisis, and just a reminder that this page exists for anyone wanting to have character interactions outside of Friday. I won't speak for everyone, but a handful of us will respond in good time if you want interactions with our characters.
- Something something more planning and things to consider here if you feel like thinking about things more or something.
- Things also important to mention: I successfully Rickrolled BOB. I'm still proud of this moment.
- Anyways, things are probably set to start Searching For Alexandria on Friday. Probably.
Quotes of the Night
Lisa: going to ruin my library book stealing plan
Lisa: I was just going to pop in and ask to look and then snatch it and teleport out
Lisa: like the good person that she is
Lorie: "The easiest way into hell is to die with an alignment of Lawful Evil" -- easy peasy
Carissa: I'd say find someone with good intentions. They'll pave a road for you.
Bixi Fizzlebang: Goodnight anyone who is still here!
BOB just you and me
Bixi Fizzlebang: Oh
Bixi Fizzlebang: Awkward
BOB HAH
Bixi Fizzlebang: lol, goodnight Bob
