Session 7 - 2025-09-26
Summary
Duration: 3 hours Key events:
- Defeated juvenile flickerfly, completed trial by ordeal
- Gained evidence of spire experiments, political victory in Taloom
- Learned Craven entered unsealed tunnel system
- Party gained hero status, prepared for tunnel pursuit
- Entered ancient pre-apostasy city through tunnel network
- Discovered active marketplace with blue sky, purchased hairpin from oracle vendor
- Entered ancient arena, temporal shift activated, Aster stepped forward as champion to face shackled giant gladiator
- Confronted Craven in ancient temple chamber, learned about mysterious cycle, battle initiated as he commanded undead to rise
Character Actions
Banjo (Gareth)
- Activated bloodthirsty ability seeing Vaerenth nearly killed
- Delivered killing strike with returning blade
- Rescued Augustus from water vat after creature impact
- Cut off flickerfly head as proof, treated Aster’s wounds
- About to attempt theft when marketplace mirage suddenly ended
- Recognized temporal phenomena as similar to vision quests from personal experience - find yourself or die, though notes this seems externally imposed rather than personal spiritual journey
- Threw returning blade at priest/leader to stop execution based on party’s desire to prevent sacrifice, causing entire crowd to turn hostile against party
- Grabbed onto Aster’s leg during flight, shouted “shake and bake!” and executed two-footed dropkick into executioner leader’s chest, successfully preventing execution while leader screamed “no, no!”
- Wrapped arm around Augustus in comfort after traumatic bone discovery
- Recognized Augustus’s trauma but noted this wasn’t the time to discuss it further
Vaerenth (Andi)
- Survived 21 damage hit at 1 HP, continued fighting with arrow strike
- Collected mutated villager corpse evidence with Hogpog
- Performed epic storytelling to village crowd at shady-rest-pub
- Led party hope-building and memory sharing activity
- Deferred when asked for group name by tavni
- Spotted small oracle-like lady with headwrap and jeweled ornaments holding schmeckle coin in ancient bazaar, became fascinated
- Purchased hairpin from oracle lady for 1 gold coin, performed presence check (15 with Augustus assistance)
- Successfully completed transaction before marketplace mirage collapsed, hairpin materialized in hair
- Screamed warning to run when massive crack opened and sky began raining debris, leading party rush to temple for safety
- Rolled critical success (double 4s) on agility during cataclysmic escape sequence
- Led party hope-building and memory sharing activity
- Deferred when asked for group name by tavni
Augustus (Mike)
- Delivered heroic killing blow on flickerfly with mace, accepting water vat collision
- Participated in evidence gathering and political discussions
- Engaged in hope preparation activity with Vaerenth
- Identified huge temple and ancient relics in underground city
- Provided assistance to Vaerenth’s presence check in marketplace
- Theorized temporal phenomena may be religious effects connected to old gods worship
- Successfully scrambled to save two children from falling debris during cataclysmic sequence
- When temporal vision faded, found himself holding only bones instead of saved children
- Showed signs of trauma from bone discovery, acknowledged “the pain is still real” despite Aster’s comfort, took moment to process the psychological impact
Aster (Luie)
- Provided healing magic during and after combat
- Supported coordinated assault on flickerfly
- Participated in party recovery and bonding
- Recognized references to old gods in ancient city ruins
- Stepped forward as champion when crowd demanded “choose your champion” in ancient arena
- Performed quick dodge and attack against giant gladiator, hit successfully causing entire arena scene to disappear
- Agreed with Augustus that temporal effects may be connected to old gods
- Witnessed near-execution in temple scene, flew over to help prevent it and reach temple safety
- Rolled exceptional success (23 with Hope) during rescue flight, carried Banjo for dramatic dropkick assault
- Comforted Augustus after trauma, lifting his face to explain “this was the past, we did everything we could. this has already happened. its not your fault”
- Asked Craven “what cycle?” when he mentioned breaking the cycle
World Updates
New locations: shady-rest-pub, taloom-tunnel-network, ancient-pre-apostasy-city, ancient-arena-ruins, ancient-temple-sacrifice-site, ancient-temple-interior, massive-ancient-doors, temple-chamber-with-pillars NPCs: tavni vindicated as leader, mama-yata trial completed, craven discovered in ancient temple chamber Plot: Trial by ordeal successful, party gains hero status, flickerfly head mounted as trophy with party names, Craven entered unsealed tunnel system, tunnel access cleared by work crews, ancient city discovered with old gods worship and marketplace echoes, arena temporal shift with giant gladiator combat initiated, temple sacrifice scene discovered with desperate plea to old gods, party trauma processing after bone discovery, distant battle sounds beyond massive flooded doors, Craven confrontation revealed mysterious cycle and undead command
Mechanics
Rules used: Bloodthirsty ability activation, Fear rolls with narrative consequences, Short rest recovery, Presence check (Vaerenth 15 with Augustus assistance), Hope loss (party loses 1 Hope from hostile temporal scene), Critical success (Vaerenth double 4s agility), Exceptional success (Aster 23 with Hope), Successful rescue (Augustus saving children) XP/Rewards: Additional Hope gained from storytelling, evidence collected, reputation established, hairpin obtained from temporal mirage interaction, Hope reduction from hostile temporal interaction, successful heroic actions during cataclysmic sequence
Next Session
Setup: Party confronting Craven in ancient temple chamber with six pillars, reddish orb, and large coffin, undead bodies rising around him, reddish energy line connecting him to orb Goals: Battle Craven and risen undead, learn about the mysterious cycle, understand connection between Craven and the reddish orb, determine if Craven can be saved or must be stopped
Lore Updates
Spire Laboratory Complete Picture
Source: Direct exploration and evidence gathering Information: Systematic experimentation facility combining human subjects with insectoid features. Missing Taloom villagers used as test subjects for weaponization research. Pantalopes and sacred creatures corrupted through mutation process. Containment failure released creatures into surrounding area.
Political Resolution in Taloom
Source: Trial by ordeal completion Information: Ancient method of determining truth through demonstrated action. Party’s success validates moderate faction position. Evacuation strategy now politically feasible with community support.
Shady Rest Pub Trophy
Source: tavni arrangement at shady-rest-pub Information: Flickerfly head mounted on plaque with party member names as permanent commemoration. Asked for group name but vaerenth deferred decision. Trophy represents party’s heroic status in Taloom community.
Tunnel Network Access
Source: Direct observation at tunnel entrance Information: Stone-laid pathways leading down to tunnel network. Work crews with pickaxes clearing rubble and moving stone. One tunnel leads to longer passage. Active excavation suggests recent opening or preparation for party’s pursuit.
Ancient Pre-Apostasy City
Source: Direct exploration, augustus and aster observations Information: Underground city with narrow streets forcing movement through buildings. Contains huge temple and ancient relics. Multiple references to old gods worship, predating the apostasy and cataclysm. Debris includes stone and cloth remnants throughout ruins. Architecture resembles massive Aztec-style civilization.
Ancient Marketplace - Temporal Mirage
Source: Party direct interaction and observation
Ancient Marketplace - Temporal Mirage
Source: Party direct interaction and observation Information: Marketplace appeared as active reality with blue sky and physical stalls, but revealed to be temporal mirage. Oracle lady scrutinized gold coin with fear, heads turned toward party with apprehension. Transaction completed successfully with vaerenth’s presence check (15 with augustus assistance). Hairpin materialized in Vaerenth’s hair as mirage collapsed, returning party to ruins. Suggests powerful temporal magic or dimensional overlay that responds to belief and interaction.
Ancient Arena - Temporal Gladiatorial Combat
Source: Party direct experience in ancient-arena-ruins Information: Large open arena with bleacher seating surrounding central combat area. Temporal shift activated by exploration, transforming ruins into active arena with hundreds of spectators. Crowd chants “choose your champion” triggering gladiatorial combat protocol. Features 10-foot tall humanoid giant gladiator in shackles carrying massive warhammer - appears to be enslaved entertainer forced into fighting. Party members except champion rushed to bleacher seating as spectators. aster performed quick dodge and attack, successful hit caused entire arena scene to immediately disappear, returning party to ruins. Physical evidence remains: warhammer impact crater in dirt, weathered and aged. Party position shifted during temporal experience - these are visions with real physical effects and spatial consequences.
Ancient Temple Sacrifice Scene
Source: Party observation approaching ancient-temple-sacrifice-site Information: Temporal scene at temple mouth showing sacrificial ritual. Crowd gathered cheering for ceremony. Priest or leader officiating at elevated position, calling directly to old gods with desperate plea: “take this sacrifice, please accept it! we are not apart of this horrid plan! please take this sacrifice!” The “horrid plan” revealed as King Othideus’s ritual to make himself divine. Suggests civilization opposed to Othideus’s divine ascension attempt, desperately appealing to old gods for intervention. Party wanted to stop execution - banjo threw returning blade at priest/leader to prevent sacrifice, causing entire crowd to turn hostile. Massive crack opened in ground, sky began raining debris (possibly volcanic), temple became only visible safe shelter. vaerenth screamed warning to run, party rushed to temple for protection.
Dramatic rescue sequence: vaerenth critical agility success (double 4s), aster flew with exceptional roll (23 with Hope) to help prevent execution and reach temple, augustus successfully saved two children from falling debris, banjo grabbed Aster’s leg shouting “shake and bake!” and executed dropkick into executioner leader’s chest preventing execution while leader screamed “no, no!” Party scrambled into temple as massive explosion occurred behind them.
Haunting conclusion: Temporal vision faded suddenly - augustus found himself holding only bones instead of children he thought he saved. Path behind party now sealed with rubble. Complete silence.
Vision Quest Analysis
Source: banjo personal experience, augustus and aster theological analysis Information: banjo recognizes phenomena similar to vision quests - spiritual journeys where participants “find yourself or die” - but notes this appears externally imposed rather than personal spiritual seeking. augustus theorizes religious effects connected to old gods worship. aster agrees temporal phenomena likely connected to old gods’ influence. Suggests ancient religious magic still active in ruins, possibly triggered by party’s presence or exploration patterns.
Temple Interior and Battle Sounds
Source: Party exploration of ancient-temple-interior Information: After emotional processing of temporal trauma, party heard distant screams “no, no, ahhh!” echoing from ahead. Proceeded to two massive ancient doors in room flooded with inches of water. Sounds of battle beyond doors: clanging blades, screams, signs of active combat. Temple interior shows signs of flooding and age. Sounds revealed to be real battle, not temporal phenomenon.
Craven’s Temple Chamber Confrontation
Source: Direct encounter in temple-chamber-with-pillars Information: Chamber contains six pillars (three on each side), lit torches, large reddish orb in center, and large coffin. craven discovered as large man in heavy plate armor with large sword and shield, blade through an individual. Appeared tired and stated “I have been waiting, for so, so long” followed by “have you come to end this? have you come to break the cycle?” When aster asked “what cycle?” his eyes rolled back with disappointment, erupting “no, you were supposed to end it. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO END IT!” Reddish energy line connects him to central orb. Upon his anger, bodies around chamber began rising as undead. Declared “if you wont end it, I will devour it and leave on my own accord!” suggesting he commands undead and seeks to consume or escape some binding cycle.
Campaign Notes
Party achieved complete political victory through trial completion. Hero status enables future cooperation but primary mission continues. Evidence of horrific experiments provides context for expedition’s purpose. Flickerfly head trophy with party names mounted at shady-rest-pub establishes permanent legacy.
Major discovery: Ancient pre-apostasy city reveals world history before cataclysm. Old gods worship predates current religious structure. Massive Aztec-style bazaar manifested as temporal mirage - appeared real with blue sky and physical vendors but collapsed after transaction. Oracle figure showed fear at modern currency, heads turned with apprehension toward party. vaerenth’s successful presence check (15 with augustus assistance) completed transaction before mirage ended. Hairpin materialized as proof of interaction, suggesting powerful temporal magic responding to belief and presence.
Second temporal shift in ancient arena with gladiatorial combat system. aster stepped forward as champion to face 10-foot giant gladiator with massive warhammer. Party separated with champion in arena, others as spectators. Single successful hit from aster’s dodge and attack caused entire arena scene to immediately disappear. Critical discovery: Physical evidence remains after temporal shifts - weathered warhammer impact crater in dirt shows these are not mere visions but events with lasting physical consequences. Party position changed during experience, indicating spatial displacement occurs within temporal phenomena. These visions interact with physical reality and leave permanent traces.
Party collectively wanted to stop execution - banjo’s blade throw to prevent sacrifice triggered hostile crowd reaction and party Hope loss, but also caused massive environmental cataclysm. Ground crack and debris rain (possibly volcanic) forced party to seek temple shelter. Heroic rescue sequence with multiple successes: vaerenth critical agility, aster exceptional flight (23 with Hope), augustus successful child rescue, banjo’s dropkick preventing execution. However, temporal vision’s end revealed devastating truth - augustus held only bones instead of children he thought he saved.
Emotional processing: augustus showed trauma signs, acknowledging “the pain is still real” despite aster’s wise comfort that “this was the past, we did everything we could. this has already happened. its not your fault.” banjo provided physical comfort and recognized trauma present but inappropriate timing for deeper discussion. Temporal visions allow heroic feeling but rescue efforts may be illusory. Path sealed with rubble, party trapped in temple but discovered distant battle sounds beyond massive flooded doors.
Major confrontation: craven discovered in temple chamber connected to reddish orb, waiting for party to “break the cycle” but disappointed they don’t understand. Suggests party was expected to fulfill specific purpose related to ending mysterious cycle. craven’s connection to orb enables undead command, and his threat to “devour it and leave” indicates he may be bound to location/cycle against his will. Combat initiated with rising undead as Craven chooses destructive path over party cooperation.
Craven’s Path Intelligence
Source: tavni briefing Information: Target entered previously sealed tunnel system. High casualty rate for previous explorers. Route leads underground toward unknown destination. Access now available for pursuit.
Session: 2025-09-26 | Next: [Date TBD]
Combat with Craven - Round 1
Shadowchain Restraint
- Whole party restrained by shadowchain effect from Craven/orb
- Aster: Succeeds on Strength roll to break free
- Uses Fearless ability to switch from Fear to Hope
- Vaerenth: Attempts to break free but fails Instinct roll, remains restrained
Enemy Actions
- Cultist: Advances on freed Aster
- Attack roll: 14 (hits)
- Damage: 6 points magic damage to Aster
Aster’s Turn
- Hope Distribution: Gives 3 Hope each to Augustus and Banjo
- Augustus: now at 4 Hope
- Banjo: now at 6 Hope
- Vaerenth: remains at 3 Hope
Rescue Attempt - Vaerenth
- Aster and Vaerenth attempt to free Vaerenth from shadowchains
- Result: Total roll of 9 with Fear - FAILURE
- Vaerenth remains restrained
Enemy Actions Continued
- Cultist: Hits Aster again with enervating blast
Vaerenth’s Orb Attack
- Vaerenth: Attacks the reddish orb
- Result: Orb appears to take slight damage but absorbs/eats the attack (disappears like black hole effect)
- Tether Damage: All tethered beings (Craven & Augustus) take magic damage at 1/2 the attack value
- Discovery: Orb acts as damage redistribution mechanism to tethered targets
Party Strategy Discussion
- Gareth/Banjo: Initially wanted to target orb, but discovers it’s “beefy and not worth hitting”
- New plan: Spread out, avoid orb, focus on cultists first then Craven
- Priority target: Archer cultist causing problems
- Orb assessment: Functions as “tether thing” - noncombatant but redistributes damage to bound targets
Session End - Combat Suspended
Current Battle Status
- Aster: Free from restraints, has taken multiple hits from cultist attacks (including enervating blast)
- Vaerenth: Still restrained by shadowchains
- Augustus: Restrained and tethered to orb (takes damage when orb is attacked)
- Banjo: Restrained by shadowchains
- Craven: Connected to reddish orb, commanding undead/cultists
- Cultists: Active, including problematic archer
Key Tactical Discoveries
- Orb Mechanics: Acts as damage redistribution system - absorbs attacks and deals half damage to tethered targets
- Tether Victims: Craven and Augustus both connected to orb
- Strategic Implication: Attacking orb hurts party member Augustus
- Party Strategy: Shift to targeting cultists first, avoid orb, spread out formation
- GM Tactical Advice: Best strategy is to scatter/spread out
Mystery Elements
- The Cycle: Craven’s referenced “cycle” that party was supposed to break
- Orb’s Purpose: Apparent reasoning/logic behind the orb’s function (to be explored)
- Tether Mechanism: How and why Augustus became connected to the orb
Next Session Setup
Location: Ancient temple chamber with six pillars, reddish orb, large coffin Combat State: Mid-battle with Craven and cultists, multiple party members restrained Primary Goals:
- Free restrained party members
- Defeat cultists and Craven
- Understand the orb’s true purpose and “the cycle”
- Determine if Craven can be saved or must be stopped
Session: 2025-09-26 | Next: Session 8 [Date TBD]