A River Runs Through It - Session Summaries - Leg A

Key Points:

• On 28-5-1267 TGR {28-5-345 SKR} - The crew sets sail for Cornelia heading north via the Narva River.
• On 9-6-1267 TGR - The group, minus Indigo, Penelope, and Wu Sen Cho, leave the knarr and head overland.
• On 13-6-1267 TGR - Upon arriving in Cornelia, Branwyn is whisked away in a disappearing carriage to meet Queen Annia Cinna.
• On 15-6-1267 TGR - Marquessa Branwyn the Mysterious and Lord Tiberius Branadarus are wed in Cornelia.

Notes for All:

• Previous three summarized sessions from newest to oldest: Tattermalion, Diplomatic Era Uncategorized, and Galatea.
• If you see a quote you like and I did not include it, feel free to add it or tell me in chat as demonstrated below.
• (E) used in chat means the characters are speaking elvish (and can be adjusted for other languages).

Leg A - Dryads Lair to Cornelia

Leg B - Cornelia to Dryads Lair

Leg C - Dryads Lair to Jistille Estates

Session: Sep0117

• Here we are at the beginning of A River Runs Through It! That means there is a river involved, right? Right! But not yet. We must actually leave Dryad's Lair, but first...

  1. Ambassador Joffery Vilmar makes his official entrance while Androp and Jennevive fight over a chair because this is an important thing to fight over. The real question is if they're fighting over a piece of furniture...or a seat of office. Technically it could also describe a position in an orchestra, but I think it's safe to say that isn't it. Maybe.
  2. Joffery asks boring questions like if they entertained since the house is massive, why a frozen body is in the fountain, if it is really haunted, how things are handled, if the elven ambassadors are leaving (them? ambassadors? ha!), what Jennevive did, how long Joseph has until he needs to renew his training dues, how Jilly disappeared through a wall, and things like that and such and such.
  3. Before leaving, Ilero recieves a scroll with a red circle around a black triangle. Branwyn remembers this symbol is related to Regor. More mysteries! So exciting! That is what Ilero's sigh means. He's excited.
  4. Indigo makes sure to sneak some extra scones since Jilly won't be coming with them. The question of who will make them delicious meals has yet to be decided. That said, Kel points out, yet again, that elves don't eat sticks nor do dwarves eat rocks. So guess there won't be that "deliciousness"?

• All right so we have our passenger list ready to go and...wait, who is that? Oh! It's John! Come back to play (and leave and return and leave and return...yeah, we get it kLoOge; you can stop already)! Which is to say Hoffman, Miranda, and Brother Fotopoulos decided to come visit the manor and see what's going on.

  1. Miranda would like to talk to Branwyn. What's that? You're unhappy in the city? Hoffman seems fine with it, but not Miranda. Perhaps she could come on the trip? By which she means ask Hoffman so she can tag along.
  2. Hoffman tells the group while the two are gone how unhappy he is with the city, but it seems Miranda likes it! But perhaps Indigo can get a feel of if Miranda would be willing to go? Oh there are wolves coming! Maybe she'd like those?
  3. In the end, Hoffman asks Miranda if he can go, and if she would like to go, and well, yes she thinks it will be good for Hoffman so she might as well join him! Take good care of Eddie, Brother Foto!

• And to the boat we go! After putting the spell books, scrolls, and Marisu's journal in the chest, and casting waterbane on it for protection, they're ready to....! Wait for Lord Sam! Oh and there he is to the surprise of Branwyn, but not Indigo (and the rest of the group who ran into him the night before). After clarifying that he is now just Sam (and not anything more yet either), and that Prince Loplin may not actually know about his departure, they set off!

  1. PULL YOU SCALLYWAYS! Penelope at your mercy, Captain Admiral Indigo, sir! Oh that party? That's why you're mad? She goes lots of places and doesn't tell him. Indigo gives her the scarf he got her before knowing he was mad at her. I think they've made up? Yes, it WILL be an interesting trip, Penelope.
  2. In the meantime, Shi calms the wolves who are in the hold, Ilero ties a rope and a spar around his waist before napping, Kel is suddenly worried about being pushed overboard, and you better keep heaving Kel or that ho will be mad.
  3. They decide to pull to shore for the night rather than stay on the water, and while that means Jilly can cook, she wants to make sure Indigo is certain of that decision. Because of course Jilly snuck on the ship. Is anyone truly surprised? Besides, Jilly has a point. Who will rescue them if she is stuck in the city?
  4. They pull to shore, the wolves come out to play, Miranda, Shi, and Kel talk wolves, and oh, right! How could we forget about you, Teb? Might as well let Miranda know now rather than later.
  5. Hoffman is confused why Teb has a name. His magical club does not, a fact that Teb finds to be incredibly insulting. How could you not name your weapon? Oh dear. Do we have another case of the Branadarus? We promise. Teb is real, not a trick! And... Miranda believes him! Success! As does Hoffman, although he isn't sure the purpose of a talking sword. But is it an elvish thing? Well we technically haven't met another intelligent sword yet. Take that as you will.
  6. Kel explains how Teb dislikes mages so the mage offers to one day try letting Teb fly on his own. Does Miranda mean release his spirit or literally let him fly? Maybe one day we'll find out!

• As night settles, Jennevive plays some music, Shur dances, and what? No encounters? Looks like everyone slept well tonight! Will this luck hold? And yes, yes it does! For the day, at least, but for the night? Well we'll just have to find out next session (and roll some d29s), won't we? Until next time!

Quotes of the Night:

[Master] (Carissa says not to die in the next hour at least please)
[Branwyn (Lisa)] (most accidents do happen at home)
Shurkural (TMO)] (/me murders everyone)
[Master] LOL
[Kel (MarioCS)] (lolol)
[Kel (MarioCS)] (someone mark this spot, for the summary)
[Master] HAH

[Lord Branadarus (Master)] you are the one who has to convince people
[Kel (MarioCS)] Kel is the soul of a great Elven warrior, who chose life immortal life in a sword to do good, over a life in Arvanaith
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Teb not Kel ;) )
Hoffman (JohnA)] (sounding more crazy)
[Kel (MarioCS)] (Sorry! Teb, not Kel)

[Penelope (Master)] Starboard you wenches
[Penelope (Master)] HEAVE
Kel (MarioCS) whispers ho

[Kel (MarioCS)] Just know...Teb is a bit , well, reluctant, around those who practice magic
[Kel (MarioCS)] he was promised a release from the sword when his quest was over, but no mage could relieve him
Miranda Paige (JohnA)] I do not practice, I perform

[Master] I need a d29
[Master] d20
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (d29) [1d29=7] 7
[Kel (MarioCS)] yay
[Indigo (Lisa)] lol
[Master] lol
[Master] I will take that
[Indigo (Lisa)] (not if it is an encounter)
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] ...that might be good or bad that you do...
[Master] no encounter during the day
[Indigo (Lisa)] (maybe we should always roll d29's)

Session: Sep1517

Disclaimer: an experiment of writing the summary while playing to prepare for tomorrow; yes likely typos bad grammar lack of commas run on sentences please ignore okay thanks!

• Everyone survived Irma, power is restored, internet is up, and game is a good! Also this experiment in is preparation for tomorrow, the (insert music here) Birthday Game! also known as the expectation of a very long summary. So. Yeah.
• We start with Branwyn giving Miranda a very quick overview of recent events and somehow this delves into a philosophical discussion on happiness? Eh, we'll let the quotes of night lead you to our current conclusion on happiness and killing.

  1. Also a discussion a slags - a monster or an insult for a nasty person? Both, of course. And, more than an hour later, TMO realizes he means scrags not slags. Close enough?
  2. We review who is and who is not a Dragonslayer character-wise with it being confirmed that yes, Jilly, you are, it's fine. No Shur is not, Marisu asked to be and is more an apprentice, and of course Ilero, Indigo, and Branwyn are Dragonslayers? Did I miss someone? I'll add them later if so for sake of completion.
  3. There is a joke about fire and toys and a frozen wasteland. Hmm, these things make more sense when I read them later, but 'tis what it is.
  4. Is Teb going to fly? Can Ilero wield Teb with his Hand of Reaching for recon missions? A combo magic task of an unknown outcome. Maybe tonight is the night to find out!
  5. More jokes with one about shoe polish, another about hats (although making some for the wolves is, I am reluctant to say, a good idea, Jennevive), what may or may not be a joke about using shed fur to make fake beards and mustaches, and for me at least, I'm missing every single joke. Wait! Apparently Anton had blonde hair turned black by shoe polish? I feel better. How was I supposed to get that joke? And TMO's joke about Indigo having shoe polish? Hobbits don't wear shoes. Yes, please don't expect me to get jokes tonight, apparently. Moving on!
  6. I lied. Jokes about Wu's on first never get old. Okay, now moving on!

• No encounter for first watch, no encounter for seco-....wait no, sorry. Encounter? Is it a slag? Let's hope Ilero or Indigo are alert for this watch! And no. They're discussing how many prophecies one gets. Is it two every other week? Maybe that pale, ghostly boat can tell us! Ilero sighs as he looks at the boat. As discussed earlier, this means he is excited....right?

  1. Indigo resists the urge to wave at the boat and contemplates what would happen if he waved Charon's Chalice (Cup? Whichever) at the boat. It keeps sailing, and sailing, and....gone! Will luck hold for third watch? Thankfully yes, we're good to go! Sailing along now.
  2. Hey there, Jilly! Can I have some berries? Yes, it is for my berry magic. No, Indigo doesn't mind. Yes, he is feeling fine. Really now, Jilly. It's just a few berries. Please? And Jilly ends up stalking off after being reminded the Queen probably has cooks. Stress? Jealousy? Stress?
  3. In the meantime, John is now writing a book about the Queen's New Clothes where, plot twist!, the Queen is invisible but not the clothes (as per the idea by TMO). Release date TBA.

• It is the dawn of a new day and apparently it is also tax day. Did you fill out yours? Well the ship has Domville flags so hopefully they'll treat us nicely. It's the Domville Navy's Ensign Ulgo against Sir Admiral Indigo Bolger. You were saying, Ensign? No inspection? We appreciate it. Oh? Some goblin and scrag trouble north of the dukedom and no, you haven't seen a ghost ship? Ah well. That mystery can stay unresolved. Have a good day, Ensign Ulgo!
• With exception of being reminded that Shi can kind of sort of control the wind (servant) and help speed them along, there is nothing else of interest for the day. At this rate, we could reach Corvash by the end of the following day. But as for night? Well...

  1. First, before worrying about the encounter, we have poor Ilero worrying about why he's alive and worthy of dying although Tiera sent him back. Indigo tries to make him feel better about being brought back from the dead (see: War By Art (Feb1017)). Ilero doesn't quite see eye to eye with Indigo.
  2. As they do watches and Carissa listens to covers by Jonathan Young (feel free to follow the links in chat), the die are rolled for encounters, and rolled again, and rolled again...and again that stupid ghost ship? Really? Well then. Now what? Watch it pass? Interact? This time it's Shur, Hugh, and Branadarus on watch so what will they do? Brandaraus (also known as BOB) tells Shur it's definitely a great idea to throw a rock at it! Definitely. And...she misses completely and faceplants. Can Branadarus do any better? And...no, he also faceplants. Next up! Hugh hits! Which...wait, did we want this?? Well, nothing happens, so we're good? Until it shows up yet again tomorrow night, I'm sure.

• It is morning with all alive and well and so we sail onwards. More help from the wind, and maybe help from a d29, will we make it to Corvash tonight? Maybe, but what's that over there on the east bank? Structures and buildings and bridges, oh my! Why don't we stop to visit this human settlement? This certainly looks very interesting, for better. Or worse.

  1. After paying the docking fee, half the crew disembarks while the other half stays on ship to guard it. Can they find something other than fish to bring back for Indigo? Based on how proud they are their recent catch, no. We are doomed to fish. They are also known for their pearls, but what good does that do us, especially as they've never seen a ghost ship sailing upstream? Useless.
  2. On that note, we leave it for the night because we'll just be back for breakfast. Yes? Yes. The summary technically will continue on the Birthday Game page!

Quotes of the Night:

[Indigo (Lisa)] Everyone should be able to be happy
[Wu Sen Cho (Master)] One is happy when one believes they are happy
[Indigo (Lisa)] (even if we have to kill them to do it :D )

Ilero (TMO)] (once someone becomes dead, they become no one. Ergo, no one is happy)
Ilero (TMO)] (and everyone is happy)
Ilero (TMO)] (can split logic alongside atoms)

[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Your home. What is it like?
[Lord Branadarus (Master)] Brundisium is on the Almirantazgo River
Ilero (TMO)] (Branadarus takes off his pants to reveal stilts. He's actually a halfling and lives in a hobbit hole)
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (That explains so much!)

[Kel (MarioCS)] well, that is funny, now
Miranda Paige (JohnA)] no, it was not
[Kel (MarioCS)] (E) wow, I can't win today!

Hoffman (JohnA)] (who is on first?)
[Branwyn (Lisa)] (what's on second)
[Kel (MarioCS)] WU?
[Kel (MarioCS)] He never plays guard
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (I don't know)
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (...is on third)

Ilero (TMO)] 'Fraid so. Hye t'ink t'at why Tiera send back.
Ilero (TMO)] Not want it. Hate it.
[Indigo (Lisa)] But see! I think it
[Indigo (Lisa)] It's opposite
[Indigo (Lisa)] Why would she let you come back just t kill you next week?
[Indigo (Lisa)] You'll be around for a long time

Session: Sep1617

• Also known as the Birthday Game 2017 for which the summary can be found that the provided link since it's long and no need to repost.

Session: Sep2917

• Life happens so this will be a quicker summary than normal (or less thoughtful, maybe is the better word to use), but now that chats are getting formatted, it's easy to go back and read things you missed. Isn't formatting great?
• So we left off with the slightly scorched knarr pulling up to the little town of Therip, the start of the walking portion of the trip. The dockmaster asks for the name of the ship (well, technically Penelope does) and while Knarr Wall is pretty great, Indigo settles with Water Wings.

  1. In asking about the safety of docking, the dockmaster asks who we're pursuing. Well that's...an interesting conclusion to come from our questions? And really, as safe docking as in the open water? So you have dragons and scrags at the docks? That's frightening. Oh, just pirates and trolls? Okay. That's better.
  2. Yes, dockmaster, that dragonhead on the ship is real, not a carving. Oh, your kid is calling you home for dinner. Okay, bye!

• Marisu recommends some act of magic to help deter anyone wanting to attack the ship. You know, like the pirate that boards during the first watch.

  1. Pirate (sailor) claims it is his dock, somehow manages to bring Hoffman to his knees, and just casually holds him there while Kel points an arrow at the pirate. Pirate does not answer Hoffman's questions and Hoffman doesn't answer pirate's questions. Yay stalemate! After some back and forth, Hoffman manages to escape the hold of the pirate. And punch him over the railing into the water where he floats (a witch!) unconscious. Kind of annoyed by the whole situation, Kel and Hoffman leave the sailor to float and/or drown.
  2. The pirate brought no friends so we come to second watch which brings giant gars (gar -antuan gars). Indigo, being slightly more amicable to the fate of the pirate sailor, keeps watch for the body, sees the gar trying to eat the body, and decides to save the pirate sailor. With help from Hugh, Indigo makes it back to the ship with the unconcious pirate sailor unharmed.
  3. Pirate sailor remains unconcious during third watch where nothing else happens.

• Morning brings missing Jilly, still unconscious sailor, and the dockmaster.

  1. Jilly returns with a wagon that she bought who knows where, dockmaster identifies pirate sailor as "Old Lop" who wasn't supposed to be back until mid month (who is, yes, a pirate), and dockmaster also already knows who Branadarus is without him having announced it earlier. Hmm, strange...
  2. Old Lop is left on the dock with a note for his friends to find and Ilero pickpockets the silver from Old Lop and gives it to the dockmaster to pay for his care.

• After goodbyes, Indigo is left with the ship, Wu Sen Cho, and Penelope (and word to keep an eye for birds that might have messages) as the rest start their terrestrial journey, a joyful journey full of talks about the Grey Death, setting fire to people, and the afterlife. Ilero is not amused.

  1. Poor, flustered Branwyn (who was flustered from the moment she woke up) becomes further flustered as they start walking and finds out Queen Annia Cinna of Cornelia will be having her birthday soon. She will be turning 267. And yes, that page confirms speculations that she is, indeed, a witch.
  2. (Side notes: We are currently in 1267 TGR. That should be easy math to figure out when she was born. According to the page, she has ruled since approximately 1017 TGR, not long after Coronation of Frathgar Farthorn as King Farthorn IV. Also of interest is the third Grey Death 1013 TGR. Will any of this matter or do I just want to give context to her age? We're going to find out, aren't we?)
  3. The elves are certainly suspicious of such an old human, but get little of their interrogations except to notice Branadarus avoiding subjects like how she can be so old, how she started her rule, and all those important events. The others ask questions as well, none of which are answered quite satisfactory. And we have poor Branwyn who doesn't want to dwell on the fact anymore, especially upon hearing the death of a brother-in-law and one of the girls his brother Trimble brought home "not staying long".

     Mirror, mirror on the wall, what is going to happen to us all?
     My dears, you are going to have to wait until next time to find out!
     

Quotes of the Night:

[Tower Guard (Master)] HO THE KNARRR
Penelope (Master) looks back
Hoffman (JohnA)] We are hoing

[Dockmaster (Master)] you have seen a dragon ?
[Indigo (Lisa)] We did little more than that
[Miranda Paige]] (JohnA) examines holes in clothes
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] /whispers Should we show him the head?
[Indigo (Lisa)] His head is over there
Indigo (Lisa) points
[Indigo (Lisa)] We were going to move it down to the hold
Dockmaster (Master) whoa
[Dockmaster (Master)] I thought that was a carving
[Indigo (Lisa)] Takes up a lot of deck space
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] see why we are called Dragon Slayers?
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] of Water Wings?
[Dockmaster (Master)] water dragons?
[Miranda Paige]] (JohnA) whispers see Dragon Slayers on Dragon Wings sounds bad as .. well tough

[Dockmaster (Master)] which threats?
Miranda Paige (JohnA)] (Knarr she goes?)

[Kel (Mario Laptop)] Hoff you even out here?
[JohnA] brothers in dice
Hoffman (JohnA)] shh I am sneaking up on Teb
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] not hard, he's sheathed
Hoffman (JohnA)] oh

[Dockmaster (Master)] as long as they do not attack our ships
[Dockmaster (Master)] what they do out on the river is their business
Ilero (TMO)] We drown pirates in Blackwater.
Miranda Paige (JohnA)] (we gotta go all that way just to drown this guy?)

[Dockmaster (Master)] is there such a thing as a church without priests?
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] (E) grrr, smart a$, WE do the humor around this ship...

[Indigo (Lisa)] We will leave him on the dock with a note. Branwyn can write a note and pin it to his chest
[Indigo (Lisa)] Water Wings saved this man from a hungry gar. He needs a priest
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] include " don’t mess w the Dragon Slayers"
Ilero (TMO)] "Stray dog found. Has fleas. Needs bat'."

[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] I would think that anyone who crossed Indigo gets what they deserve
[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] however I will be glad to put a curse for you Jilly
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] I do not think any of us should do any cursing
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] except swear words. those are fine among adults

[Kel (Mario Laptop)] Brand, is your mom missing a mirror?
[Lord Branadarus (Master)] Not that I know of
Kel (Mario Laptop) whispers hmm, he knows very little doesn’t seem to be an act...
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (E) Well I always suspected he might be a buffoon...
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] (E) I’m passed suspected. I’m onto Fact

[Kel (Mario Laptop)] (im looking around Bob's desk, as he's away. no clues...grr)
[JohnA] (shhh he can hear you)
[Kel (Mario Laptop)] (cant even fidn the Encounters table)
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] (heck)

Session: Oct0617

• Look, Ma! No hands delays! The summary is up already! And not just because I fear someone might orchestrate another attack against me if it's delayed again. That was quite shrewed, but before I jump ahead and dig deeper into that likely possibility...
• Moles (which are not shrews but we'll ignore that for the sake of the pun). Moles in their holes. We rolled a mole(s). Giant moles, specifically, as we walk about 6 miles past the town and through the abandoned Earldom of Venier. As Hoffman is walking up front, he gets attacked and attacks back (a lesson: you roll it, you cull it).

  1. The moles miss Hoffman, but not Miranda. As it happens, they all go down pretty fast and it's really just poor Miranda who got smacked. There is nothing on the bodies, the wolves eat the moles, and we're good to go.

• As evening approaches, Shi apparently decides to take her wolf pack and be a lone wolf and go frolicking off by herself. While she isn't surprised by the sudden Orc ambush (and pulls off some impressive dodging of the arrows), the group is surprised to find they have a "closet savage" (as Michael nicely puts it) in their group. Elves, by their nature hate Orcs. Shi (and Kel who might be in a slight panic), by her past experiences really hates Orcs hence the taunts and rude gestures.

  1. Scrub any possibility of a simple fight. Without beating around the bush, we're fighting in a field of shrubbery. More than usual, we'll have to hedge our bets or we'll get in a thicket of trouble quick.
  2. Ha! I make myself laugh. Moving on, Kel attempts to reach Shi, but fails at jumping over a hedge yet does manage to barely not snap his bow in half. Shi gets to play with some new spells like barkskin and flaming blade. After causing a bit of Chaos, Branwyn attempts to use the Wand of Wonder (after getting permission from Shi who wants to see if Orcs really can be turned to gas), but unfortunately gets wrapped up in their chain-weapons. Kenna decides there isn't enough plant growth and encases some Orcs in a forest. Anor gets in a critical and kills one of the Orcs that ended up surrounding them. Branadarus kills one and starts hacking its dead body. Arrows, magic missiles, and chains go flying. Eventually only the Orcs are dead or have fled.
  3. Loot of 44 silver pieces and 11 of the self-sustaining chain weapons with Ilero taking 9 (8?) of them, Shi taking 1 of them, Kel taking 1 of them, and Hugh taking 1 of them. It does not seem we decided to take any of their short bows.

• There is thankfully enough time left in the day to move away from the dead bodies before making camp. Whether it was that decision or pure luck, we have no encounters during the night. So they continue on with The Mark of Phrygia their next bit of civilization to get through. You know, where that priestess was from who killed the former ambassador. So we definitely want to linger in the area, right? No? Oh, okay.

  1. They soon come to the small town of the Hamlet of Shadytown for the evening. The shadows are playing tricks on your eyes in, surprise, a shady town. The Sheriff Ostild comes to get the group, specifically Kel who is in front and simply turns away (runs away) to tell Branwyn there is someone there to greet the group.
  2. Oh! Prince Branadarus! What a large group you travel with. All the better to protect myself with, my good sir. Er, sorry. Wrong story. The point being yet another individual recognizes Branadarus and his status without him announcing himself. Good? Bad? And still what, Sheriff? What is Branadarus still?
  3. The elves are definitely not still suspicious (they are), but the group is given the stables to camp in for the night as there is no inn. Everyone huddles in the northeast corner of the stables, Shur and Ilero go have a quiet conversation against the town wall, the elves and wolves stake out a place under the single tree, Marisu makes friends with Tinu and Galad, and Branadarus fails to convince Branwyn to leave for somewhere more comfortable.
  4. While we don't get to it this session, this is the note to remember that Kel and Branadarus are on second watch because Kel wants to do some more snooping.
  5. So, first watch, we have Branwyn and Ilero. Poor Ilero, still at a loss for how to make sense of his dead-not dead moment of his life-not life, asks for Branwyn's opinion. Long story short, he worries he'll now bring bad fortune to the group and wonders if he should leave. Branwyn more or less thinks that's ridiculous, agrees with Shur that he should stay, and tells him that perhaps the gods are done interfering with his life.

• But the real question is: are they?

  1. Follow-up question: what encounter was rolled??
  2. Follow-up follow-up: why do we have to wait two weeks to find out???
  3. Final question: who are "short man" and "old bald man"?
  4. Guess we have to wait to find out. Still lame.

Quotes of the Night:

Shi'Nynze (Carissa) checks bodies
[Master] three dead moles about 4 to 6 foot long
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Nothing on them?
Neith of Inholt (mharm-15549) looks at dead rats
[Master] they are moles, not the highth of fashion
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Holy moley.

[Neith of Inholt (mharm-15549)] I'm sorry I was unaware NEO was in our group
[Neith of Inholt (mharm-15549)] let me get agent smith

[Kel (MarioCS)] ( hey now, Kel's nose is significantly smaller)
[JohnA] just want to keep it that way'
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Yeah, we nose-ticed)

[JohnA] pulls out flute and plays a orc daning song
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (An orc-estra!)

[TMO] (you people and your hedge issues)
[TMO] (I don't understand what the problem is)
Shi'Nynze (Carissa) shrubs "Got me."
[Kel (MarioCS)] (pun master 3 for 3)
[Master] and LOL at Carissa, will give you that unintentional pun
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Woo! And that actually was intentional :) )
[Master] HAH
[Kel (MarioCS)] ( i bet totally intentional)
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Ha! Always!)
[TMO] (nice - I actually had read right past it. Nice!)

[Hugh D'Ambray (mharm-15549)] don't get me wrong i'm having total fun, but this battle is like a gordian knot. Never ending L:)
[Master] HAH this is only round 2
[Hugh D'Ambray (mharm-15549)] I KNOW RIGHT! :)
[Kel (MarioCS)] (like a cricket match. did you stop for tea?)

[Lord Branadarus (Master)] Wellt hat is until I saw how capable Jilly was
Jilly (Master) busies herself around the camp
Branwyn (Lisa) smiles "yes I am most fortunate to have both you and Jilly to protect me
[Shurkural]] (TMO) smirks. "Wonder if he thinks marrying Branwyn will get him Jilly breakfasts forever?"
[Lord Branadarus (Master)] Oh I am certain that Indigo would challenge me for that still

[Kel (MarioCS)] do wee need two persons per shift? we are inside walls and a fence
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (/me giant centipede paralyzes single person on watch. Everyone dies)
Kel (MarioCS) bows head " all right"
[Master] smile at Carissa it is like she has been around for a while
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (It's hard to forget that time early in joining when centipedes almost killed everyone :) )
[Master] sorry you have to be more specific, which time did centipedes almost kill everyone?
[Branwyn (Lisa)] (every time)

[Ilero]] (TMO) shrugs. "Not want to, but not want bring danger if can avoid."
[Branwyn (Lisa)] None of us do. But danger has a tricky way of finding us not matter what
[Branwyn (Lisa)] So we stick together and get through
Ilero (TMO)] Yah, but usually only hye in danger from my stupidity.
Branwyn (Lisa) laughs loudly
[Branwyn (Lisa)] You didn't see me bounding across the field waving Shi's wand?
[Branwyn (Lisa)] You don;'t get the stupidity award every day Ilero

Session: Oct2017

• Two weeks later we come to the highly anticipated next installment of A River Runs Through It - Leg A: Mystery Encounter. So what was the encounter we rolled? Who are those random men mentioned earlier? What is Branadarus hiding? Time to find out!
• Definitely by a crazy random happenstance, Kel and Branadarus are on second watch where Kel casually interrogates asks Branadarus about his witch queen mother. Is she from the west? Does she wear ruby slippers? What about flying monkeys? Wait, sorry, no. Kel forgot to ask those specific questions. Rather the more mundane ones like if she really is 267 years old and really did rule for 250 years? How did she rise to the throne? To be fair, those are probably more important questions than her opinion on ruby slippers.

  1. In summary, no one talks about the time before Queen Annia which is certainly not...odd. Branadarus also hints about her controlling tendencies and telling him everything he does wrong and knowing more than him (well, or at least I think it was more reference to his mother than of Teb who comes up in the conversation). That said, his mother doesn't care much for gratitude and will somehow know if she is respected. Whether just Kel or others as well, she'll probably quiz him about the old days. By the way, Branadarus father is dead (no need to talk about the past now that he's dead?), not by horse, but simply passed away peacefully and recently. No, Branadarus didn't feel a need to go home and no she's not getting remarried (how old was his father?). Am I the only who finds this all the more confusing and suspicious? Okay, yes, I might be suspicious by nature, but come on. We're talking about a witch and her family here.
  2. So who's next in line when the Queen dies? What about you and Shi? Ah, clearly a sore spot if Branadarus is trying to change the subject (but to be fair, who wants to talk about their mother dying even if they're around 200 years, give or take some decades, past due?). And yet he mostly succeeds as they talk about control and relationships and swords and all that fun stuff. Eventually the conversation ends with talk about tree sprites (foreshadowing?). By the end of the conversation (and headbutting), we're left with more questions (or I am, at least), and we still don't know still what? Still what, Branadarus? Maybe we should have asked the sheriff...

• For better or worse, the encounter doesn't appear. Good? Bad? On to third watch with Shur and Hoffman. It is also a watch full of conversation (short, to be fair) of how things are going between Shur and Ilero and between Hoffman and Miranda. So that encounter? No? Nothing still? Hmm, but we know we rolled something...and what do you mean by brownies, BOB?
• With all checks failed, the group wakes up to small footprints and the wolves with wreaths of daisies. Poor Galad is the only one who failed to get his wreath off. Thankfully they're rather harmless and Shi removes the one from Galad without ill effect. So where'd they come from? Did she make them in her sleep and put them on? She's pretty certain she's not that sneaky. What's that Jilly? We're also missing sugar and other sweets? Hmm. Odd.

  1. Why not just ask the wolves what they know of their mysterious collars? Oh. Not much. They felt sleepier and woke to the smell of flowers overpowering all other smells. Nothing of the situation is familiar to them. To answer Shur's question for the wolves, they think two legs are awkward and four are better. To answer Hoffman's questions...oops, sorry! I missed them being asked (seriously, I didn't see them until just now), but guessing they wouldn't like flying and pretty sure they like Miranda, or at least are curious about her (in a good way). Guess we'll have to ask next time to be certain?
  2. Even with Branwyn pointing out the very clear use of magic, Shur and Shi are curious who their midnight visitor was, and so with only the wolves joining them, they head off to track the footprints (Hoffman decides to stay behind since they have no intention of killing whatever they find; no harm done to them so why harm their visitor?). The rest of the group heads off on the road for Shur and Shi to catch-up later. Splitting up the party? Always a good plan!
  3. Shur and Shi head towards the woods, unthreatening, quietly whistling, unarmed, and ready to be ambushed. And they are! By...squirrels? Stop that, squirrels! You're wasting your winter reserves to pelt us with acorns? That's kind of rude.
  4. What's it like talking to squirrels? Mostly useless. They warn of danger and keep repeating two legs. Can you please specify who or what is dangerous? We mean you no harm. The single squirrel who comes down to talk to Shi tells her to go away, something again about two legs, and failing her intuition check after pointing out she's of the forest, Shi gets nowhere talking to the squirrel (maybe because, though a ranger, Shur is not? Who is to say what she misunderstood or, well, missed). The squirrel leaves. Thanks, bossy beast.
  5. The bramble prevents them from going farther in, Tinu getting a bloody nose from trying, so while they don't like being bossed around by squirrels, Shur and Shi agree to stop trying to find their mystery visitor. Before leaving, Shi leaves whoever it is some berries, a daisy, and a thank you note. Friends of the wolves are friends of hers, and must be friendly, right?
  6. As they leave, a small green glass bottle drops in front of them. Wait, really? They got Shi's message? And gave them a present? Friendship success! Or tracking success! Whichever. Let's catch up to the group before seeing what's inside.

• Back with the group, and safety in numbers, Shur volunteers to see what the potion is by taking one tiny taste. Nothing can go wrong, right? Especially a potion that smells of lavender and dreams? Er, but truly, what do dreams smell like? Anyways, as expected, it's a sleeping potion. Shur falls asleep. And Shi fails to catch the bottle (why didn't she grab it before Shur tasted the potion?) and it spills. How unfortunate, but how is Shur? Fine after a kiss from her true love! Or, you know, someone attempting to wake her up. As the potion is gone, we'll never find out.

• The day passes uneventfully which leads us to yet another watch with interesting conversation. As we're only two or three days away now, Branwyn figures it might be good to have the casters (who happen to all be female) do first watch and prepare for meeting a witch. In Branwyn's experience, there are no Glindas. So that leaves us with Branwyn, Marisu, Shi, Jenn, and Neith to discuss what they might be walking into (a discussion carried on here).

  1. In summary, longevity spells likely require a life for a life. Is the witchy woman looking to see how high she flies to extend her life again? Who is more at risk: wild card Sam, powerful Branwyn, or those of less value who can be "wasted"? How do we protect the group and temper the temper of some of the men? What if the witchy woman got the moon in her eye Sam in mind? Holds him spellbound in the night? So many questions. Will this be as simple of a visit as we hope? And this is why we should be prepared (maybe with a silver spoon?).
  2. And no, I'm not going to apologize for the song reference because we've seen that sometimes they're important (such as the prophecy, also related to Sam). Also because I like the song and am listening to it as I write. Anyways, back to the conversation...after one last thought of what does Annia Cinna look like? Raven hair and ruby lips? We should ask.
  3. Ideas are thrown around like charming someone so they can't be charmed again (but does it work that way?). And yes, Jenn does know charm. Thank goodness it doesn't work on elves. They could have been awkward. Although, as Jenn points out, sometimes the best way to influence someone isn't with spells. What about having someone else disguise themselves as Sam? Who would agree to that, and is it a good idea?
  4. Branwyn points out the ring (as she did earlier that day) found on the hill giants not long ago. We don't know what it does. Somehow Marisu is convinced to try it on. Maybe it'll help? Well...we don't know. Not because she doesn't try it on, but because nothing obvious (except a tingling feeling) happens. At least it isn't cursed. We think. Guess we'll need to identify it later.

• And with that, first watch ends as we created our own encounter. Maybe we should do that more often? Also, we come to the end of this session. Thankfully we won't have to wait two weeks for the next one nor is there a cliffhanger to what the next encounter will be. Perhaps we'll make our own again? As always, one way to find out. See you next week!

Quotes of the Night:

[Lisa] let's just get through 2nd and the inquisition :)
[Lisa] your encounter roll is a conversation with Branadarus!
[Lisa] en guard

[Kel (MarioCS)] that’s odd, if I make Teb speak, using trickery,doesnt that mean I am the smart one?
Lord Branadarus (Master) snorts
[Kel (MarioCS)] words from Teb are words from me, right?
[Lord Branadarus (Master)] you know better than that
[Kel (MarioCS)] so Thank You, I accept your most gracious compliment!
Kel (MarioCS) mock bows
Lord Branadarus (Master) laughs
[Lord Branadarus (Master)] no it is like this
Lord Branadarus (Master) waves his arm and bends a knee slightly then at the waist deeply till his hand brushes the grass
[Kel (MarioCS)] /now now, you don’t have to bend for me, I’m just an elf, common as can be

Shurkural (TMO)] What are they saying?
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] They said danger danger danger, two legs, two legs.
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Told us to go away.
[Hugh D'Ambray (mharm-15549)] Did you expect complex conversation from the squirrel?
[Shurkural]] (TMO) shrugs. "I dunno. I'm not used to being ordered about by squirrels."

[Ilero]] (TMO) looks pale and worried from the sidelines.
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] She's alive.
Hoffman (JohnA)] maybe Ilero should kiss her
Hoffman (JohnA)] before violence
[Hugh D'Ambray (mharm-15549)] Loves first kiss...
Hoffman (JohnA)] unless you would rather I do it
Ilero (TMO)] Foolish girl
[Branwyn (Lisa)] I was just thinking that if you hit someone under one my sleep spells they will wake up
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Worth a try?
[Ilero]] (TMO) gives her a quick kiss, just to see.
[Master] Shur wakes up
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Wait, really? A kiss worked?
Hoffman (JohnA)] not just any kiss, only a kiss from her true luv
[Ilero]] (TMO) shrugs. "Yep."
Branwyn (Lisa) laughs "I think it was that she had only a miniscule sip of the potion"

[Master] Jenn can be there
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Great - now there really will be cackling)
Marisu (TMO)] (hen party!)

[Branwyn (Lisa)] I would like us to take first watches for a couple of nights to prepare
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] Not a bad idea. What do you know of witches?
[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] She said Watches not Witches
Branwyn (Lisa) laughs
[Branwyn (Lisa)] To prepare to meet the witch though

[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] I will say that it is always interesting to be with Branwyn
[Branwyn (Lisa)] What? I haven't done anything
[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] Marisu? would you have gone into the belongings and dug out a ring and tried it on in the middle of the night?
[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] without Branwyn prodding and prompting you?
[Marisu]] (TMO) smiles. "Maybe I do that every night. My deepest secret - I try on other people's jewelry."

[Lisa] casters aren't like regular peoples
[Carissa] Haha so I've started to notice
[Lisa] when you can wave your hand and jaws rip flesh to shreds or send a ball of fire to incinerate people, casters are scary
[Carissa] Well who doesn't want to set things on fire? But yeah, the jaws thing...

Session: Oct2717

• Here is another plug for the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Game which now has a confirmed attendees list. Will you be there?

  1. Also some predictions of how many apprentices Branwyn will acquire before she goes insane and fireballs them. Is this a challenge? Should we find out? I vote we find out!
  2. Tips from John: Brackets around name means automatic link to character from chat; however, it only works if the character name and page for character are both spelled the same...

• So we're at the end of #Lady's Watch with a few more comments from Miranda and Kenna such as on if Sam wants to make a claim to the throne and how he could go about it if he does, any more ideas to possibly protect Sam and Teb, and how Sam is the one who decided to come along as an exercise in giving him options.

  1. In an emergency, Marisu says we could charm the witch. Who is we?
  2. Branwyn as ambassador somewhere else? She certainly hopes not!
  3. Miranda wants to make sure Branwyn knows she wants to help. Can she help get the word out for an official contract for the Dragonslayers? Ah, well, Branwyn reminds Miranda that she (Miranda) resigned from the Dragonslayers and made her opinions quite clear. (She did?) #Resignation Day
  4. OOC we are told that yes, Annia has had many, many husbands. Five in total. They're all dead now. How? We're not sure. Anyways...

• We move to second watch of Ilero and Kel. They practice stuff, only seem mildly curious why all the women were up chatting, and eventually go back to sleep without an encounter. No encounter? We actually have the choice of passing the watch quietly and in peace? That seems...odd, but okay! We choose that option now and forever!

  1. Or at least for third watch. It is only mildly more interesting as our encounter is...Sam, unable to sleep. And give recommendations to make life decisions based on Disney songs.
  2. Sam questions where home is, what his purpose in life is, and all the usual questions of a growing adolescence. You know you can't hold me forever, I didn't sign up with you. I'm not a present for your friends to open, this boy's too young to be singing the blues. Not Disney, but hey, there's another one for you, Sam! Or perhaps I should have saved it for after we leave the Emerald City, er, I mean Cornelia?
  3. That said, perhaps the Ursula comparison is a better one for our upcoming (sea)witch. As they say, Be Prepared!

• After a peaceful night's rest (Oh, no, no, no, no, no. I can't stand it! It's too easy!) we find we are only minutes away from the clock striking midnight (also known as last day before hitting the border of Cornelia). Time for last minute conversation and preparations. Anyone?

  1. Er, why thank you, Shur, for reminding Kel how far the elves are from their home. No comments from Shi. Anyone else?
  2. Ah yes, more conversation with the poor unfortunate soul that is Sam. At least he knows how royalty acts although there are different kinds of royalty. Hey remember Billy the Bugbear? Yeah, he's king now. He seems to feel differently about it after becoming king. How'd be become king? Right. He killed the last one! That's...oh, that's not exactly what you want to hear, Sam? Er, I'm sure there are other ways to gain the throne. Kenna says she likes leaders who listen and then decide. Shi points out that royalty means little to elves. They prefer their council of chosen elders.
  3. By the way, Branwyn, here is your reminder that you are respected as a leader even if you feel like you're mostly following. But speaking of loyalties and following, dearest Tiberius, how hard is it to say no to your mother? Oh, there usually isn't even an option? Ah, well, by the way, did Branwyn also mention the Queen of Drillian being similar and the likely arranged marriage waiting for her when she returns? Oh, so you'll just kill whoever it is wanting Branwyn's hand? That's, ah, well, that's ONE way to handle that, I guess. Or volunteer poor Marisu? Goodness.
  4. Speaking of Marisu, she falls back to talk with Sam. She warns him that they're unsure how Queen Annia plans to "help" Sam (if she asks for you to sing for her, don't do it!). Oh, Aunt Jennevive has thoughts on that? She warned you to be careful of others trying to control you? Hmm, that was...nice advice from her, er, but no, I don't think Branwyn would agree with Jennevive's assessment that the two of them are peas in a pod. And yes, trust yourself, but perhaps life is a little easier if you learn to trust others, too.
  5. Oh and if it ever matters, which, knowing BOB, yes, it might, although Sam doesn't have a girl back home by Shur's standards, there WAS that time with that one girl Orlean who wanted to steal some silverware. She was not good in bed. Was that why you didn't let her take the silverware?
  6. As they talk, Jilly rambles and does interestingly point out that even Jennevive isn't as calm as usual in anticipation for meeting the Queen. Branadarus feels Jilly has an alternative (ulterior?) motive of...wanting to also impress the Queen. As Branwyn points out, Jilly is an open book. Her motives are probably the best known of everyone. Bake good cakes, make sure Indigo eats, and impress others for Branwyn's sake.
  7. Shi falls back to join the conversation of Marisu and Sam by asking how do you stop corruption in human politics? Elves are not as easily manipulated, but humans? Er, there isn't a good way? Caution? Sending ambassadors in your place, court mages, and possible an anti-magic zone? Oh, and killing someone who used magic against you? Well. Okay then.

• On that note, oh look! We've arrived! Soldier come bow to Branadarus and "almost magically" a coach arrives. After you, Branwyn. Don't forget your heavy chest of spellbooks. We'll just load that...oh, wait! Marisu and Miranda likely want to take theirs out first, right? And ten points to TMO for not letting them disappear with all the spellbooks. Ready, Branwyn? In and off you go....into thin air?? Er, where did they go??

  1. So, uh, what now? Ask the guards where to go, apparently. Well, let Marisu ask because she's much better at talking to others. Don't worry, says the guard, the capital is about 45 miles, approximately two days away! That's not far, right? Branwyn will surely be fine by herself for two days! Might as well go get some rooms at the inn. Not much else we can do...

• So Spring leaves, and Carissa decides she's still really curious about that charm experiment. There was too much thought and too many questions to simply let it go, and with Branwyn gone, maybe it could somehow maybe be useful maybe? Jennevive believes there is only one reason to charm (and therefore finds it pointless to charm animals) while Shi has her reasons for being uncomfortable charming humans. There is back and forth before Marisu ushers them to their rooms (which are more private).

  1. Oh and we likely made enemies at the inn. Those rooms might have been full before we arrived and those people just might have maybe been kicked out of their rooms to make room for us. Whoops!
  2. In the end, Marisu volunteers to be the guinea pig. Because no, Jenn, we're not charming Sam first. Why bother? There might not be a reason, and after his last comment about killing someone who cast magic on him, there is a good chance he'll say no. But still, it's worth finding out the bounds of charm and command and how they interact, right...? Um, right.

• We're left with discovering Marisu is far braver than the now uncertain Shi and that without Branwyn there as a counter Jenn seems, well, freer. So what will we do? Charm, charm, command? Duck, duck, goose? Guess we'll find out next time!

  1. Uh...I hope the oddity that happened at the end of posted chat isn't a bad omen? It's like we're seeing our lives flash before our eyes all the way back to 2012. Yep, we are doomed!
  2. Also Ilero's accent has certainly improved! Still weird that this somehow embedded into this chat. Again, bad omen!
  3. Although Lisa fixed the chat bug, it should be noted it was a bad omen. See summary below!

Quotes of the Night:

[Kel (MarioCS)] are witches always bad people?
Ilero (TMO)] T'ere some back home, not bad people, but not someone have over for dinner.
Kel (MarioCS) thinks about that " i see"
[Kel (MarioCS)] well, i can't imagine she would want to harm us, since we have been babysitting her son al this time
Ilero (TMO)] Branadarus seem okay person. Okay people not often come from bad parents.

Hoffman (JohnA)] Shurkural, do you think life is all about a goal
[Shurkural]] (TMO) gives a small smile. "Honey, I ain't got any goal, except maybe killing werewolves. I'm just happy hanging around with this group for now.
Shurkural (TMO)] But that poor guy doesn't look like having a good time is what he's any good at.
Hoffman (JohnA)] but sometimes trying to find fun makes it not fun
Shurkural (TMO)] Maybe he needs a little help then?
Hoffman (JohnA)] i understand but you can't get someone to have fun by saying 'have fun'
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] (that boy needs a good shagnhai)

[Branwyn (Lisa)] Billy was our bugbear friend
[Branwyn (Lisa)] He killed the old king and became the new one
[Branwyn (Lisa)] I think he feels royal
Hoffman (JohnA)] But there has to be more than one way to rule. Maybe showing examples of killing to be king is not such a good example

Marisu (TMO)] And besides, mere swords are easier to come by, and just as deadly.
[Hoffman]] (JohnA) to Miranda "So if I kill a Bugbear king, does that make me a king?"

Marisu (TMO)] Yes. But I suspect a simple Dispel Magic would also be enough to break a charm, and a lot easier to obtain than an anti-magic zone.
[Aunt Jennevive (Master)] Unless you are Branwyn
(Ouch!)

[Master] Branwyn and Branadarus are inside
Ilero (TMO)] (and she was never seen again...)
[Master] and then it fades into nothing
[Master] no moving forward
[Shi'Nynze (Carissa)] (Literally fades into nothing??)
Ilero (TMO)] (you're not supposed to take me literally!)

[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] (brudism sounds like a belief in being brothers)
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] (or bruddas)

[Master] it is night
[Master] you have sucessfully split the party
[Master] Branwyn is in the capital
[Master] and your group is two days away from her
[TMO] **WE**?? have successfully split the party???!!
[Kenna Westfoot (Spring)] (heh yeah i don't think splitting the party was the party's idea)

Session: Nov0317

• Queen Annia Cinna of Cornelia is an evil vampire witch.

• What? That is the best summary I can give for last night. Evil? Check. Vampire? Likely. Witch? Definitely. What else do we really need to know? That Sam will likely be kidnapped? There is a good chance we'll die? There is a better chance Branadarus is about to be an only child?
• Oh, you want to know how we got to this point? Fine. Back it up. We'll start from the beginning.

BEGIN FLASHBACK:

INT. RANDOM INN - NIGHT

Having stopped at an inn for the night, the party, minus BRANWYN and LORD BRANADARUS, discusses charming in the privacy of their room. Before they can continue their discussion, a mysterious servant girl enters the room. Ignoring the questions of ILERO, she quickly spots KEL.

SERVANT GIRL #4 (Sidenote: we do not discuss what happened to #1-3)
You look different, you make me tingly and your face is so...I don't know...just -

KEL
My ears were terribly deformed in a horse injury. I was thrown.

As SERVANT GIRL #4 and KEL start to flirt, the Voice of Virtue (played by Michael) and the Voice of Action (played by Lisa) argue over SHI on whether or not to use the SERVANT GIRL #4 for the charming experiment. The Voice of Virtue wins. After some more flirting and attempts at comedy, SERVANT GIRL #4 makes to leave the room. ILERO, knowing he must now take responsiblity for the group, stops her with a question.

ILERO
Miss? We not know land or laws. Our guide vanish. Please tell us what visitors need know.

SERVANT GIRL #4
How did your guide vanish? Who did you come with?

ILERO
Prince Branadarus.

The servant girl becomes visibly exciting and starts to pepper the ladies in the room with questions about the prince. Upon being told he is getting married, she changes her questions to ones on his soon-to-be bride. Still wanting information, ILERO asks SERVANT GIRL #4 about travel to the capital.

ILERO
So is just one day travel to capital, right?

SERVANT GIRL #4
Two mostly.

ILERO
T'anks. All on road?

SERVANT GIRL #4
Of course. This is not the wilderness like Dryads Lair. I heard the Prince was forced to go there for years out in the dangerous wilderness. He is so brave.

Any attempts to ask why the Prince went to Dryads Lair are ignored. She swoons, the group gives up asking questions, and SERVANT GIRL #4 runs out of the room to spread gossip about the engaged Prince. Ilero waves his hands weakly as she departs squealing.

ILERO
Wheeee....

With SERVANT GIRL #4 gone, the group goes back to their planned experimenting. They start by deciding to see if spells will affect TEBHOUNDRIN. Before they can continue, SHI'NYNZE remembers how long-lived TEBHOUNDRIN is and how many things he has seen.

SHI'NYNZE
Teb, did you ever encounter a witch? I don't recall hearing stories if you did.

TEBHOUNDRIN
Ah, sweet lass, if I did, I was unaware. Many a time I have seen some world changing things, like when I was -

They cut TEBHOUNDRIN off knowing he would continue talking uninterrupted for hours if they do not. After filling him in on the situation, they ask if he is willing to join Marisu in an experiment to understand the limits of the abilities of the group. They convince him to agree. On their request, TEBHOUNDRIN starts to talk, but mid-story, upon successfully casting COMMAND -

NEITH
SILENCE!

And so TEBHOUNDRIN is quiet. KEL sheaths him and pulls him out at the same time as NEITH releases her hold on the magic. While it is made unclear which dispelled the magic, TEBHOUNDRIN finishes his story about fighting a black dragon and leaves with an interesting comment for KEL.

TEBHOUNDRIN
Ah yes, your grandmother was in that squad, such a brave one she was. I'm surprised she didn't share that with you.

SHI'NYNZE
Maybe she thought you'd tell it better?

TEBHOUNDRIN
Well, we do all know our limitations, and she must have as well.

Although noticable curious about the story of KEL'S grandmother, there are things to do before the end of the night. Making sure MARISU is ready, SHI'NYNZE casts CHARM on her. Rather than resist the spell, she forgoes a save and is charmed. She doesn't feel any different until KEL suggest she give him a hug. SHI'NYNZE suggest a punch is more fitting. MARISU agrees and attempts to punch him. She fails twice. SHI'NYNZE tries once and also fails. Giving up, SHI'NYNZE suggests MARISU go dance with SHURKURAL. As they dance, NEITH gets ready to cast a COMMAND similar to what was used on TEBHOUNDRIN.

SHI'NYNZE
You're getting the hang of it. Just dance some more, Marisu!

NEITH
CEASE!

With no attempt to resist, MARISU successfully stops dancing. The group wonders if it completely removed CHARM. Upon asking MARISU to wave to SHURKURAL, and finding that she doesn't feel like it, it is discovered that COMMAND successfully dispelled CHARM. Rather than show him what it is like, MARISU describes to SAM what it felt to be charmed.

MARISU
It didn't feel unusual, actually. I felt normal. Looking back I can see that it was uncharacteristic of me to try and punch Kel twice, or to dance with Shurkural, but at the time it felt natural.

SAM
So you are saying that anyone could be charmed and no one would know? That seems like the magic users would be in charge and we would never know. I can see why some say kill all the witches.

MARISU
They don't last forever, however. The spells would have to be renewed fairly often.

Upon a joke about making JILLY quiet being a real test, JILLY begins to talk ceaselessly. She makes plans to save BRANWYN and gets some horses to get them to the capital quickly; however, JILLY did not procure them any berries. The group settles in for the night. Meanwhile...

INT. MAGICAL CARRIAGE - NIGHT

On the same evening the group tries their charm school experiments, BRANWYN and LORD BRANADARUS ride the magic carriage towards the capital to meet QUEEN CINNA. It is clear LORD BRANADARUS is slightly surprised his mother found it important enough to send the carriage which he has never been in without his mother. BRANWYN recalls a similar carriage that moves through the Mist in Drillian owned by the vampire COUNT DRAKE. It is the beginning of many things BRANWYN doesn't understand.

BRANWYN
But I don't understand. If your mother is a witch and you obviously have been raised around magic...Why was the idea of Kel's sword Teb so mysterious to you?

LORD BRANADARUS
Oh I never paid much attention to magic. That was Mother. I liked swords and the chance to travel and Mother seemed to be ok with that. After all, she has my sister at home and I can go out and find things to bring home.

BRANWYN
Like me?

LORD BRANADARUS begins laughing and explains how BRANWYN was a big surprise and how she will be a surprise to others who didn't think he'd find anyone. Both his brothers and his sister were able to find someone and marry, at least for a while. It is made clear yet again that there is something suspicious about the departure of the married spouses.

EXT. UNDESCRIBED PALACE - NIGHT

The small talk comes to an end when the carriage stops. BRANWYN leaves the carriage, clearly travel worn, but without time to clean up. There she is introduced to QUEEN CINNA.

BRANWYN
He has told me wonderful things of you.

The Queen suddenly starts laughing and we quickly find there is a specific quality that QUEEN ANNIA CINNA values highly.

QUEEN CINNA
Tiberius, you have learned to lie. I am so proud of you. The only thing more dangerous than a lie is the truth.

While LORD BRANADARUS is sent away to clean up, she gives BRANWYN no choice but to walk with her. The conversation begins with pleasant affirmation that BRANWYN will take care of LORD BRANADARUS. It quickly spirals to QUEEN CINNA warning BRANWYN to keep him far away. The will marry the following day and then leave and never return. It comes at a price.

QUEEN CINNA
I am going to kill his brothers in two days. You will be gone before then. You will keep him in Drillian, far away from here, and you will never return. And you will not let him return.

BRANWYN
But Tiberius loves you very much.

QUEEN CINNA
You have brought the next King of Terraguard to me. I am giving you my son in return.

Although clearly shocked, BRANWYN keeps cautious politeness and agrees to the demands of QUEEN CINNA. She discovers that LORD BRANADARUS does not know this plan as he is not aware of how magic or politics work.

QUEEN CINNA
It is the choice I give them. They can be my King and their children will rule if I die and none of my other children will be there to interfere. If Tiberius is hidden in The Mist then no one will know.

Just as BRANWYN is given little choice, neither will SAM be given choice by QUEEN CINNA. She plans to make him king whether he wishes it or not and will use Jarvis as a disguise before taking the throne of Terraguard. QUEEN CINNA believes he will make a good King, but we are left to wonder what her definition of good is. Her idea of succession is already questionable.

BRANWYN
Tiberius' sister shall be safe?

QUEEN CINNA
No she will not. She will try, but she is not ready to defeat me.

BRANWYN
I would venture few are, Your Majesty.

QUEEN CINNA
You might have been and with a few more years, if Tiberius convinces you, I look forward to dueling you. If you have another hundred years, you might last long enough to regret dying. But the night is sweet. It never grows old.

Still reminded of her lack of choices, BRANWYN is told she will marry the follow with the ceremony concluding at midnight. They are to leave in the morning without SAM, and QUEEN CINNA will wait for six days. BRANWYN is uncertain she likes this deal.

BRANWYN
I know he wants to hear your wisdom. I am not sure he will be ready to commit in one night's time.

QUEEN CINNA
I did give you six days. Pray I do not alter the bargain again.

After some compliments and praise to BRANWYN who came from nothing and made her someone who can be feared or admired, QUEEN CINNA shows her to her rooms and leaves her for the night, but not after one more curious comment.

QUEEN CINNA
You will be a queen if what I suspect is true, but most is obscured by The Mist so you can only do what you see is right. I envy your future.

Without answering the question of if she has divination powers, QUEEN CINNA leaves BRANWYN. Servants arrive and draws a bath. She sends them away and we are left with BRANWYN stifling a scream as she tries to think on her next move.

END FLASH BACK

• And so we are left with the rest of the group arriving at yet another inn (uncertain if it is the same one where they were told to look for two obnoxious elves). As they are being prepared for their visit to the palace in the morning, Branwyn is left preparing for her wedding without a chance to talk to anyone before it. Just like with the other servants, the serving girl is rather useless in ability to answer questions except to point out they'll be ferried across the Almirantazgo River. The serving girl doesn't even know who the wedding is for. And that is where we leave off for the night. Fitting, right?
• Or at least IC as we soon discuss the events OCC where Lisa makes a very convincing case for why Queen Annia Cinna is likely not a witch, but a vampire. You can read up on it here in chat and here on site. It's too much and too important to summarize, so go click those links. Thanks!
• As for what we will do? Well, as always, you'll just have to wait and find out. See you next time!

To be continued elsewhere...

Quotes of the Night:

Marisu (TMO)] (why should we? your npcs aren't answering any of our questions. :P)
[Branwyn (Lisa)] (you didn't try to speak her language either though)
Marisu (TMO)] (Ilero barely speaks *this* language. you want him to try another one?)

[TMO] here is how I understand it: she marries a man as part of a deal. If he outlives her, his children get to inherit the kingdom. But if he doesn't... the deal is that his children can't interfere with the children from the next husband
[Master] and yes TMO has it perfectly right

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