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CreatedWed Jun 10 2026 18:00:00 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
DateWed Jun 10 2026 18:00:00 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
SourceTranscript
Tagsgame-log

2026.06.11

Summary

Following their first Proving Grounds victory, the party was approached by servants of Duke Tristan Blackwood (House Blackwood) and arranged a formal meeting. The Duke offered to sponsor the party through the remainder of the tournament in exchange for a percentage of any prize money. Negotiations were contested: the party opened at 3%, pushed to 5%, and both Odine Dunmere and Aldrich attempted persuasion with advantage (DC 22; rolled 14—failure). Duke Blackwood held firm at 8%, citing the risk he was taking on an unproven team. The party accepted. In exchange, the Duke provided a 750 gp advance and arranged delivery of four combat items to be collected at Clover Hill, the noble encampment above the fairgrounds. Source: Transcript.

During the negotiation, it emerged that House Blackwood is a vassal of House Corwin, one of the three dominant houses at the tournament. The three major houses are now confirmed: House Godran (arcane power, white armor), House Wulfhelm (militant dominance), and House Corwin (knowledge seekers, silver armor). House Blackwood sits below all three. Source: Transcript.

The items collected at Clover Hill:

  • Combat Greaves → Aldrich (+5 ft movement on the first round of each combat)
  • Cloak of Protection → Cassian (+1 AC and saving throws)
  • Ring of Scorching Ray → Odine Dunmere (once per long rest)
  • Potion of Fire Breathing (party inventory)

Source: Transcript.

The party then visited the Coin Master to contest Cassian’s 5-gp wager. The bet had already been paid out to Rory Greathorn (Rory) under the double-or-nothing clause: two party members went unconscious, so the party lost. No appeal was accepted. Source: Transcript.

Virellan Le’Strange crossed Cassian’s path and addressed him as “Lord Fortescue,” confirming Cassian’s family house name: House Fortescue. Cassian visited the tailor to have his new Cloak of Protection embroidered—a falling star design with an ouroboros crest and dust trail matching his family signet ring. Cost: 8 silver. Source: Transcript.

That evening, the party made camp. Cassian rolled persuasion 24 with Rory and secured the party’s multi-day mead supply at half price—12 silver for several days of Minnie’s black currant mead (spiced with cardamom and cinnamon). Aldrich registered the party for the Crown Gauntlet (obstacle course format): scheduled 7 PM, Tent A. Source: Transcript.

The following morning, Azrith was absent—he had risen before sunrise without telling the others. The remaining three ate breakfast at Slug’s cookhouse: smoked emu eggs and black currant mead in the rain. As the meal wound down, a loud parade outside announced the arrival of House Oswald: a nomadic religious group in green, gold, and purple robes, carrying floats and banners, claiming legitimacy to the Crownlands throne. Aldrich investigated (12) and recalled that House Oswald has never been formally deeded land by King Aldrich and is considered an illegitimate house—they arrive every year, make their claim, and are typically humiliated. Cassian confirmed from noble knowledge: among the established houses, they are a standing joke. Source: Transcript.

Odine Dunmere had returned to the tailor tent to collect Cassian’s cloak. While there, she noticed (Perception 15) a wooden straw doll on the seamstress’s dresser. An Insight check (22) revealed the doll had been given to the seamstress by Gruvelda Duskbelt when the seamstress’s mother died. A History check (19) placed the doll at approximately 100 years old, originating from Odine’s home region—the Thornwood Vale. The seamstress, moved by Odine’s recognition of it, gave the doll to her freely. Source: Transcript.

The party visited Gruvelda Duskbelt’s smithing tent. Cassian’s opening compliment fell flat. Aldrich accidentally called Gruvelda “Griselda”—she raised an eyebrow and gave him a hard look. When Cassian mentioned Duke Tristan Blackwood, Gruvelda’s reaction was immediate: “Backwood—slimy bastard. Stay away from him.” Source: Transcript.

Odine then produced the wooden straw doll. Gruvelda stopped mid-swing on the anvil. A natural 20 persuasion roll brought a visible softening the party had not seen from the dwarf before. Source: Transcript.

Gruvelda revealed that she had known Mara—Odine’s grandmother—personally. They met when Gruvelda was young, by the river while she collected geodes to impress her brother. Mara was kinder than Gruvelda expected. They became “long friends.” “She sacrificed herself,” Gruvelda said, “a sacrifice no longer remembered by most of these humans.” Gruvelda is at the King’s Tourney not to serve any house but to observe—to watch the noble houses fight over the Thornwood Vale deed and to learn their weaknesses. She has been doing so for many years. Source: Transcript.

Odine revealed that Mara was her grandmother, that Mara had died at 71, and that the entity is as powerful now as when Mara first cast it back. Gruvelda stared at Odine’s corruption marks with “hope, joy, and awe—alongside sorrow and fear” and said: “You have been touched. Mara told me about your lineage and the burden you have borne all this time.” She confirmed the lifespans of the Touched had been dwindling over generations and feared none might remain. She also confirmed the hollowing (the blight) is spreading faster than ever and has begun cropping up in the Crown Lands. Source: Transcript.

When the topic of the King’s supposed victory over the hollowing ~150 years ago came up, Gruvelda noted that mortals still believe this. Odine, tearful, quietly said: “Lies.” Gruvelda’s closing wisdom: “True power comes from within.” The conversation crystallized the party’s immediate purpose—they must win the King’s Tourney to secure the Thornwood Vale deed and keep it from the great houses. Source: Transcript.

Gruvelda gifted Odine Dunmere an Elven Chain (mithril chainmail undershirt of elven craftsmanship—not Gruvelda’s own work): “Wear it beneath your clothes. It will protect you.” She judged today to be the right moment to give it. Aldrich asked about lighter armor to remove his chain mail’s stealth disadvantage; options were breastplate (250 gp, AC 17) or half plate (500 gp discounted from 750, AC 18). He declined both and kept his chain mail. Gruvelda presented Cassian with a Chain of the Unbroken—10 feet of iron chain links, warm to the touch, held by Gruvelda for 250 years: “It has a mind of its own.” Cassian cast Identify and learned it has four properties (not yet disclosed to the party). Gruvelda offered to craft Cassian a rare weapon if he brought sufficient coin later. Source: Transcript.

The party left. The remaining shopping was deferred to next session (Gavin joining). Session ended as the party headed into the day of the Crown Gauntlet.

Open Threads

  • Crown Gauntlet: Registered. Scheduled 7 PM, Tent A. Next session.
  • Shopping deferred: Gavin joining next session to complete purchases (Gruvelda’s stock; possible rare weapon for Cassian).
  • Azrith: Absent the morning after the long rest; whereabouts unknown.
  • Odine Dunmere: Now holds the wooden straw doll from Mara’s line—a significant lore object with deep personal and historical weight.
  • Chain of the Unbroken: 4 properties identified by Cassian but not yet disclosed in-session.
  • Gruvelda’s warning: Explicit distrust of Duke Tristan Blackwood; party is now bound to his 8% sponsorship anyway.
  • Investigate the Pestilence: Gruvelda confirmed the hollowing is spreading into the Crown Lands; the King’s old “victory” was a lie; connection to Mara’s sacrifice deepens the lore thread.

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