2026.05.19 - Transcript
Cassian: up craig what are we doing with craig i never see his notes anymore…
Odine: yo, craig,
GM: hey that’s…
Odine: but i’m. so i am. i’m trying to get it so i can automate it and put it up on a wiki for all of us to click through.
Cassian: oh in…
GM: really actually…
Odine: so i’ve been working on it and it looks awesome and i would say, like it’s gonna be great, i just need to actually do it. so i’m sorry, but yeah, yeah…
GM: really cool because i could probably set up like just a talk session too, to like recap a few of the main,
GM: like world concepts and just kind of vocal dump a bunch of stuff to it make…
Odine: yeah,
Cassian: the wiki…
Odine: exactly yeah,
Odine: and the wiki is pretty great, i mean. so what i’ve come up with so far is is pretty awesome. i gave gavin a glimpse of it and it’s like a. i’ve leveraged the ai tool to do a transcript and then i’m like: hey, i want you to create a summary of the session and then i would like you to cross link um key events to to different players and different npcs. and so it’s created a an npc group, it’s created a location group, it’s created a character group and it’s up and it updates every page with relevant details from each session. so it’s been. i’m trying to automate it so i don’t have to deal with it every time, but it’ll be way cool. so yeah, yeah,
GM: it just a few clicks instead of having to spend too much time on it sounds…
Odine: and i can, i can automate it all, but it would be really cool let…
GM: awesome question because i think this is my bad did anyone write down the name of jevin’s teacher when you asked him about that last week because…
Cassian: yes oh that’s right…
Azrith: No.
Odine: me find the transcript yeah…
GM: i somehow lost the name and was looking for it in my prep couldn’t find it…
GM: oh, gavin, are you here? you snuck in dude. what’s up, bro?
Cassian: marilyn marlin marlin or…
GM: marilyn?
Odine: marilyn is with yeah marlin i’m including i…
GM: marilyn? yes, thank you,
GM: or so he said. we don’t even know if he was telling the truth. no one insight checked that…
Cassian: so she said to be called…
Cassian: or didn’t man…
Odine: just take everything on faith…
GM: yeah well something something nice about having an innocent outlook on the world…
GM: actually let me see if i can find a good tavern map for this place and once upon a time i used to have free time at my job to like do prep stuff in between sessions and now that i’m a big manager like never find time for that…
Cassian: it’s the worst i took that new job role too and i thought i’m gonna have so much free time now i’m working like 10 hours a day oh wow yeah i mean i didn’t get that part but yeah…
GM: yeah yeah like no they do kind of make you earn the extra pay don’t they so more work and no pay that sounds late dude…
Odine: hopefully it’ll come and i don’t know how much i don’t know how much weight justin has for you hopefully he can get something done yeah…
Cassian: plenty…
Cassian: but uh you know what i’m okay with it like i traded more work at home for not being on the road so…
Odine: speaking of. i want to.
Odine: i want to get together with you and talk with with frank out of the picture like: how can, uh, how can jeff and christopher help you guys occasionally, and i don’t mean with our software? but yeah, how, yeah,
Cassian: yes yeah…
Cassian: yeah…
Odine: how do we be better partners as different things? so yeah, but…
Cassian: yeah i would like to do that that would be nice oh…
GM: um, everyone feeling pretty ready to start start.
Cassian: i’m ready okay…
GM: let’s see if we can’t move over here first. and then anybody want to help out with the recap from last week. what do you guys? what do you guys remember detail, yeah…
Azrith: All good.
Cassian: so there was that one really boisterous person we met. i can’t remember their name right now. i have a feeling that they’ll be back.
GM: was it the blacksmith?
GM: oh the bar, varell,
Cassian: no, no,
Cassian: before the blacksmith they stopped us in the road: the bard yes,
Odine: yeah…
GM: varellin, lestrange. yes,
Cassian: norella and the strange yes.
GM: mm-hmm…
Cassian: and then there’s the blacksmith, who we are trying to apparently do something in this graveyard for to get rid of the ghost as ghost hunters, which i don’t know if we actually accomplished any of that that…
GM: group yeah i think you guys you guys successfully accomplished the goat yeah yeah what alex what’d you say…
Aldric: was muted i we we can we we had convinced uh we had convinced jevin to come back to the um parade at night so that he could show proof of what we found yep…
GM: yes, yep,
GM: he’s going to be your witness, right to gruvelda,
GM: the dwarven armor, who i think essentially you guys asked her: hey, do you have any ghosts? we can fight. uh, a bit of a quest,
Aldric: yeah…
Odine: you guys manifested that quest by the way he…
Aldric: pretty much,
GM: but she,
Aldric: pretty much. no,
GM: she just happens to know, uh…
Aldric: yeah, we,
Aldric: we convinced her, we, literally we,
Aldric: we gas litter into believing it…
Azrith: Yeah.
GM: she said that her she said that her brother was a dwarven lord of some kind and that he had a ghost problem that he felt was originating from this town and not where they’re from which is inside of the veil and so um i think you guys managed to just like shock factor her enough that she was like okay you guys are interesting but i don’t know that you’re worth my time but i guess if you are ghost hunters and you can prove that to me then maybe it is worth my investing in you i think that was kind of the vibe…
Azrith: We can hunt ghosts. Make ghost noises. Help…
Cassian: was it oh…
Aldric: yeah yeah…
Odine: also is carrying around a cutoff hand…
GM: yeah,
Cassian: yes the hand…
GM: yeah, we, uh, we learned that, uh, halloween had started to take her and she cut off her own hand.
GM: apparently do you need that name too? i have that in my document here. yeah,
Cassian: gravaldo oh what i’d love to have it spelled out for me…
Aldric: was…
GM: let me copy that in for you,
Aldric: was the uh teacher’s name merlin or marlin yeah…
GM: mara lynn. so m-a-r-a-l-y-n-n, here i’ll put all of this in the campaign info for you and you guys. always let me know if there’s anything you want explained or typed out here. half of this comes from prep and the other half comes out of my butt.
GM: so never a bad idea to write stuff down. here’s,
GM: uh, here’s some of your key npcs so far. and then jevin. the name jevin gave, for his instructor was marlin. i think you guys also met, but maybe didn’t get the name of uh,
GM: one of the nobles from house godron, the black, the black banner, noble house, the black knights. um,
Odine: that’s right let’s…
GM: there was kind of that prissy guy that you met in the restaurant,
Cassian: yep so…
GM: and it was knights from their house that had been taken by the ghouls that you were hunting, who had also been kidnapping jevin and seemed to have picked the wrong place to try and interrogate him…
Cassian: it seems it’s…
GM: um diving back in, and then we return to the king’s fair. in the valley below everdale. keep, the gleaming keep, and the stars and the moon reflect off of the metallic walls of the keep up above on the cliff, a sight to behold, and the sounds and smells and lights and sights of the fair are still boisterous. as uh evening has set upon the realm. um jevin, not wanting to show his face, um, during active hours of the fair, has given you a stone that you can use to summon him. uh, at a time that makes sense when he can stay kind of low-key and out of the way,
Aldric: that’s right but yeah…
GM: he is worried about being spotted by this house that kidnapped him.
GM: uh, let’s see here you all. i believe we’re going to head to the campgrounds to try and find some rnr. yes, um, a little rest and relaxation, um,
Aldric: that’s…
GM: which sleep will be much needed,
GM: given that you all have a scheduled bout in the proving grounds on the next evening at at sunset. uh,
Aldric: right…
GM: so, uh, imagine as you enter the campgrounds, uh, leaving the festivities and getting to more of the um, the quieter part of the fair um, where there are many small encampments, um, some more heavily used than others. there are certainly plenty of places where you guys could make your own camp here and at the center of it all is, uh, a pair of larger tents that look more like kind of a makeshift tavern. um, inside of a tent that has been set up, uh, with a sign outside of the door that says the ragged flagon and…
Aldric: this looks like uh this looks like a good place to stay they’ve got they look like they have ale…
Cassian: just my car. it’s fine. i was getting something. yeah,
GM: your car’s beeping at you.
Aldric: this…
Cassian: i was trying to get something out of it…
GM: are you guys looking for allies drink or are you looking more for a quiet, private camp to discuss things and make your own way…?
Odine: stay let’s stay i need to rest it’s been a long day i’ll…
Cassian: yes oh…
Aldric: can always have a talk over some booze and then get some rest mine aldrich…
Cassian: shoot remember your character name yes aldrich i didn’t know you were buying drinks tonight wonderful i’ll join you fair…
Aldric: yes yes let us go…
GM: hey on aldrick tonight uh…
Cassian: if you open your car for you. thank you, you’re welcome, aldrich.
Aldric: you scared me i…
Cassian: what’s your? uh, what’s your preference this evening? i prefer a nice wine or a brandy, but um, since it’s on you, i’ll drink whatever you’re, whatever you’re buying.
Aldric: uh i enjoy a fine ale myself…
Cassian: ale, it is, ah, who doesn’t love a nice, frothy, foamy ale…?
GM: a pair of ales anyone else joining in the festivities one…
Odine: i’ll try one…
GM: one,
GM: one silver piece up. for anyone who wants to try the house ale of the ragged flagon: one silver piece. yep, you can break your gold pieces down.
Azrith: me.
Aldric: one what silver piece i have a gold piece i don’t have silver pieces okay perfect…
Cassian: silver cassian: yeah,
GM: you want um,
GM: similar to just exchanging if you pay gold, 10 silvers per one gold. so you could just turn the 10 pieces and then go down from there…
Cassian: and in dnd beyond, you don’t have to change it just literally. if you have gold, just go to silver, which is sp, and just do minus whatever number. yep,
Aldric: which is currently two three yeah…
GM: and it’ll convert it…
Cassian: so so we have three people that are interested in a drink,
Cassian: but we haven’t even talked to the barkeeper yet. so let’s find the barkeep…
GM: yeah the the barkeep uh oddly enough is an orc not a super common race to see around these parts um but he seems to be very handy around around the bar he seems to know his way around the bar um and this is a busy establishment uh not a fancy one by any means uh you get kind of the salt of the earth type people in here uh more of the common folk people who have come from long and far who have come to partake in the festivities and witness the spectacles um you don’t see a lot of the uh nose up in the air types in this particular tavern good…
Cassian: um. kathian walked toward the barkeep and introduces himself. hello, sir, good evening, uh, cassian, uh,
Cassian: please tell me the good evening. please tell me the l is terrible, so that i can be pleasantly surprised.
GM: evening i…
GM: like to think it’s just good enough the name’s rory pleasure to meet you cassian…
Cassian: roary, wonderful,
Cassian: wonderful, these are my friends. i i’m still working on their names, don’t, uh? don’t tell anybody. but uh, they also would like a drink, not…
GM: those kind of friends well just don’t get into any fights i don’t like to clean up…
Aldric: yeah i…
Cassian: in this fine establishment sir of course not…
GM: and you look around and this is: this is not a. this is not a clean establishment like rory doesn’t clean up after anybody,
Aldric: mean look look at the tables…
Cassian: yeah…
GM: but he’s cheap, and i think that’s why he gets a lot of patronage. so, um yeah, to each of you that that pay him a silver piece, he pours you a nice head of ale in the house flagons and he leans up against the bar. so pray, tell what brings you all to the tourney here to watch anyone in particular victory…
Cassian: ah only myself victory and fame you know hopefully and…
GM: and fame ah so a challenger he…
Cassian: my companions, aldrich odin azareth azareth.
Cassian: anyone seen azareth well…?
Aldric: just…
GM: looks around where is azarith…
Azrith: Azeroth is, like, basically exploring the rest of the building. Area.
Aldric: looking around we’re…
Azrith: He’s, like, spotting shiny things.
GM: canvassing the joint ah well an eclectic group and uh which tournament are you entering exactly…
Aldric: uh…
Odine: i suppose…
GM: the the king’s tourney itself uh you would know is essentially reserved for the wealthy anyone who has high enough status and pocketbook to be able to pay the large entry fee uh you all have entered in the proving grounds which is much more low tier uh muddy grub dangerous uh and a lot of scrappy people who are looking to try and buy for attention and sponsors here…
Cassian: we’re the underdogs of course we’re here to make a name thank…
GM: to make a name for yourself in the proving grounds, i imagine.
GM: well, when’s your turn?
Aldric: yes yes that is the idea well…
GM: when’s when’s your bout? perhaps i can swing by and and have a gander. see your. he looks around at you and then to azarith and back. uh, your capabilities hunt…
Aldric: i mean you know how to hunt ghosts…
GM: ghosts…
Aldric: not a profession i thought i’d be doing either but here i am…
GM: future champions and ghost hunters grace my presence this night well if there’s anything else i can do for you let me know if you need a refill likewise…
Cassian: you rory that’s a pleasure meeting you and drinking in your fine establishment…
GM: you…
Aldric: so who all got drinks that…
Cassian: odin me and you…
GM: all uh you all find a relatively unused table that you can kind of clear off and make your own for the evening uh where where are you at as a group a lot’s happened in the last 24 hours for you is there anything to talk about or do you think everyone’s just taking the edge off…
Cassian: cassian he kind of takes a big a big sip he drinks about a third of his beer and briskly sets it down and he looked at the group and he says well should we speak to the blacksmith about this ghost problem well…
Odine: so i mean we did fight a ghost for him…
Aldric: we did oh…
Cassian: hopefully this has a good return on it after all that excitement and danger and well you know all the fun things…
GM: azarith…
Cassian: cassian takes another sip of his beer a large sip…
GM: azarith are you still exploring or have you kind of found the rest of the group at this point…
Azrith: He’s, like, he’s still exploring but, like, circling slowly to get back to the table. He’s, like, he’s, yeah, circling.
GM: okay uh roll me a perception check if you will nice…
Azrith: Natural 20.
GM: dude um i i think you you notice um you notice that under a cloak sitting off in the corner is the dwarf grevelda that you talked to um i think she’s she’s keeping a really low profile but you’ve got a sharp eye and have kind of circled the room you realize she’s actually here in this tavern uh but because she’s wearing her hood um and the way that she’s positioned and sitting in the room with her her cup she’s not super recognizable um but i think because you rolled a natural 20 recognize and identify that that is her…
Azrith: Good rolls.
Azrith: Like, stops for a second and then runs to his party and he’s like, hey guys, guess what? I see the lady from the black man.
Cassian: huh there you are so lovely for you to join us you said the blacksmith oh we were just speaking of her how lovely well lead the way my young friend…
Azrith: Right over here. And just points while, like, walking towards her.
GM: like there’s a whole group, everyone, just like, crowding her table together at the same time. i imagine,
Aldric: man this might not end well yeah…
Azrith: Trying to keep a low profile and the entire party shows up.
GM: yeah,
GM: oh yeah, she,
Azrith: Yeah.
GM: she sees you guys and about chokes on her drink and and then looks, looks at you, cassian like, seriously, and then looks around and, just kind of like, puts a finger, a fat, dwarven finger, up to her mouth. sit down, be quiet, sit down, you’re making a fuss what…
Cassian: gentlemen, i found a table over here that seems more appropriate for us. would you like to have a seat,
Cassian: gentlemen? oh, dean altering,
Odine: gentlemen yes i’m down i’m down let’s do it…
Aldric: yeah these these chairs look comfortable…
Cassian: would you like to sit here wonderful, quietly, please, of…?
GM: do you want i don’t want to be recognized tonight…
Cassian: course. um, mistress, that’s not the right word, i’m. i’m gonna take that one back. if that’s all right with you, we’ll find another way to address you, but for the time being we have taken care of the thing that you mentioned earlier.
Cassian: i also am shocked. i honestly thought nothing was going to come up this, but we are here now two…
GM: already she…
GM: takes another drink and looks at you all curiously well you said you actually found a ghost i…
Odine: you sound you sound shocked…
Cassian: of them as a matter of fact more ghouls than ghosts really but i mean quietly did…
Aldric: they were dead they were dead…
GM: don’t believe you takes another drink she seems like she’s kind of already under second goblet here…
Cassian: anyone bring proof he looks around at his party yeah…
Aldric: i mean i have a do i have a stab wound…
GM: that’s true, you do have a wound. uh, that’s actually interesting. uh, because i i think they were actually kind of doing like a dementors kiss on you more than uh, more than stabbing, if i recall correctly. um, but you know.
Aldric: i something like that yeah…
GM: what would be interesting here, i think,
GM: is if you have some kind of like necrosis still from this uh curse that was sapping your life force and reducing your max hp. uh,
Aldric: yeah…
GM: maybe you can kind of like lower your collar and demonstrate to her the suffering it’s to what have you been making out with a ghost, let’s…
Aldric: yeah i just i just gotta i have battle scars…
Cassian: sure show your hickey…
Odine: everyone’s always yeah everyone’s always showing off their shit i…
Azrith: This is how I remember.
Aldric: yeah i mean something like that i guess i don’t know i don’t know man i don’t know how to explain it…
GM: do a persuasion check um aldrick and cassian i feel like you guys are kind of both pushing on her so who’s stat who wants to roll and then maybe the other can kind of provide the help and provide advantage here…
Cassian: well i rolled a seven with a 12 all right i had a plus five but i still got a 12 12…
Aldric: well i have i have a plus one hold…
GM: roll roll cassian with advantage. we’ll ignore aldrick’s role and we’ll say that he’s helping you. um, and you. so you get twice and take the higher of the two. okay,
Cassian: is still the highest number…
GM: and and is that better than what you had, aldrick?
GM: or did you did you? i don’t want to discount your roll if you rolled it already, but yeah,
Aldric: on let me roll real quick…
GM: let’s go with a 12… so, um, i’m gonna call this a success, but i’m gonna call this a moderate success. um, so it’s a definitely a step in the right direction. um, okay, let’s say, i do believe you. how am i to know that if i spend my precious time kidding you out for your tournament tomorrow that i’m gonna get a return on my investment. who’s to say: you don’t run in and die and some high lord just takes my work from me and i make no coin…
Azrith: We just took care of a ghost. Well, two, technically, didn’t we?
GM: barely she points i’m…
Azrith: A ghost ain’t the easiest.
Aldric: you’re.
Aldric: you’re our sole investor. you know what you’re, the. you’re the only person we’re investing in. we, we, we, we trust your skills, ma’am.
GM: gonna sweeten her up a little bit ah yes what have you heard about my skills she…
Aldric: yes, yes, oh,
Aldric: only the best from my friend cassie in here…
GM: looks at captain yeah…
Cassian: that’s the unclear sister i mean of course we well…
Odine: love that the warlock is being the face and not the sorcerer this is all yeah i…
GM: the sorcerer’s like quiet and in the background like i don’t want anything to do with this it’s too good yeah go on go on do…
Cassian: i mean of course we’ll spread your reputation i mean i am of a leans in quietly and noble family noble-ish family anyways you know what i’m saying like i…
GM: you have any signet or crest from your family that you bear or even if you can see one that you might flash to her yeah how…
Cassian: do i do? as a matter of fact, yes, i need to find it, but i do.
Cassian: i did create that. um, it’ll take a second, but yes, i’ve um, yeah,
GM: do you demonstrate how do you demonstrate it are you subtle hmm…
Cassian: yeah, yeah,
Cassian: um, yeah, i’m. i’m not trying to flash my name too much as um. my family is just a uh, a vessel at this point, um i’m…
Cassian: trying to think of the best way to present it i’ve made the symbol and the colors but i didn’t think of how it’s actually presented um…
GM: what theme do you feel like your house probably represents the most you have like a maybe one or two words that you feel like kind of describe the vibe that you feel like your house would have…
Cassian: a lot of of wisdom reading like knowledge kind of a thing um while we do some fighting and combat like not super as far as um…
GM: maybe like a circlet or something that kind of like represents like strong minds or maybe maybe a tome or a scroll or something of the sort or…
Cassian: and…
GM: could it perhaps be an animal of some kind and…
Cassian: this is tough i wasn’t ready for this i mean let me think about this uh so i don’t want to give away too much so i’m not going to say too much what i’m thinking but…
GM: we can always fill in the gaps or retcon things later too if we need to…
Cassian: yeah let…
Odine: love a good retcon make…
GM: it’s our rules do…
Odine: it up russian…
Cassian: me think about it yeah let’s fill it in later because there’s a few things i’m thinking about that would be good but they i don’t want it to be too obvious so okay…
GM: you think it’s maybe something subtle like a ring that you wear or like a locket something worn beneath the shirt me yeah…
Cassian: okay i could wear that i could do that uh yeah so cassian um he flashes uh his his ring um and it’s basically shaped like a falling star that meets its tail kind of like um what’s the snake that’s eating itself or a borrow…
GM: yeah don’t worry about us i love that i love that imagery uh your house is an older house um she being a dwarf and uh having lived it for a long time i think that this goes a long way for her because she looks at your ring and back up to you she doesn’t view you the same as these other present noble houses that are constantly vying for control of the veil and the glory of the tournament and she says hmm have always found success betting on the dark horse fine you’ve earned a shield for your first bout if you succeed and i’ll be watching then i’ll armor one of you…
Cassian: wonderful who would like a shield anyone aldrich you look like a shieldy kind of guy…
Aldric: one hand uh great sword with a shield i…
Cassian: i don’t know throw it on your back maybe you know like a turtle…
Aldric: guess i’ll take a shield.
Aldric: i mean who knows exactly i’m…
Azrith: Could save your life.
GM: she takes another swig from her class and says i’ll have it ready for you at dawn swing back by my tent at the fair…
Cassian: wonderful um i echo my friend aldrich here thank you for your faith in us it is well placed well…
Aldric: glad we could handle the ghost problem adam yeah…
GM: ghost hunters and future champions of the king’s tourney i suppose then bit of a mouthful i…
Cassian: i mean you can call us what was the name of our team?
Aldric: what did what did we got ourselves…
Cassian: i had it. i had it. it was right there,
Cassian: it was cassian’s. uh, that’s not it’s…
GM: i think i wrote it.
GM: i think um like something crushers,
GM: or did we put it in the campaign info? is it in here? yeah, the crushing crusaders…
Cassian: somewhere i have it somewhere i’m gonna find it…
Cassian: cassian’s cushion crusaders at least that’s the name i call you guys should…
GM: she just shrugs and goes back to drinking her ale you’re…
Cassian: we should we leave gravelda yeah…
Odine: crusaders…
GM: asking her oh huh yes but don’t tell anybody i’m here…
Cassian: of course, of course, of course, thank you, thank you for your hospitality and your time. and the shield, of course, i mean aldrich’s gonna love that shield. i know he’s. he’s a little simple. what?
Aldric: what was that ah yes yes we’re gonna we’re gonna win this tourney…
Odine: together…
Cassian: ah, i was just saying you are simply amazing. i can already tell: yeah, i have no doubt. that’s why i picked you for my team.
Cassian: absolutely, we are, that is true. yes, yes, wonderful,
Cassian: thank you, madam farewell, i will. we will see you in the morn.
Odine: no…
GM: very well then…
Cassian: cassian gets up and heads back to the table or looks for a table that may be open still it…
GM: yep you uh you can certainly return to the one from whence you came um anything else that as a group you guys would like to align on or or discuss before a long rest…
Odine: odin’s ale has gone straight to her head and she’s very sleepy.
Odine: she’s a lightweight…
GM: oh dean’s looking like she needs some help…
Aldric: and can i can i judge the mead am i like a mead professional because i’m a guard i mean yeah yeah i feel like i feel like as a guard i’d i’d be pretty proficient at knowing what mead tastes like…
GM: oh, you tell me, yeah, are you an aficionado? oh,
GM: let me tell you, i’m gonna see how good of a, of a mead rory has going here today. it’s terrible,
Odine: we…
GM: but effective. it is effective, but yeah, it’s gut…
Aldric: so guys was it guys was it just me or was that was that mead really strong but also really really gut rumbling…
GM: rumbling gut rumbling and warm…
Aldric: yep,
Cassian: it it was it was mead some would say well…
Aldric: yeah,
GM: orc mead okay…
Aldric: yes,
Aldric: i…
Cassian: i think it’s time for a rest it’s…
GM: then uh in terms of equipment do any of you have what you need to make camp do you just sleep out under the stars there’s…
Aldric: might is…
Odine: gotta procure housing let’s…
Azrith: Where’s the nearest tree?
GM: plenty of them…
Azrith: Alright.
Aldric: there is is there anywhere to stay in the tavern or is it just a tavern…
GM: no it’s more yeah it’s more so just um kind of kind of…
Cassian: a tent.
Cassian: can cassian reflect his memory and see if there’s a place nearby for him to stay or for the group to stay?
Azrith: I don’t know if I’m remembering.
Azrith: Hold on. Can I say something, please?
GM: yeah please yep…
Azrith: I don’t know if I’m remembering this right, but once we signed up for the fight or tourney,
Cassian: yeah, please…
Azrith: they said there was a place for us to stay or, like, prepare. Is that, like, a sleeping place or, like, a prepare for the fight place?
GM: but…
GM: there is a place where you can prepare, that is a training grounds. and then i think what you’re remembering was them referring to this area, the campgrounds, where, um, there’s free, free campgrounds for any who are participating in the tournament. so,
GM: because you guys have signed up, um, you know, you kind of have full full run out of this area. it’s not, it’s not a hotel, it’s more like a field, uh, an open field with some some shade cover, some trees, but mostly just a bunch of tents and fire pits that people have set up, um, out on the outskirts, um…
Azrith: Yeah.
Aldric: we have the choice of laying in the stars with everybody else or laying in the stars by ourselves…
GM: pretty much unless you have a canvas or tent of some kind then you can always circle up like you did on the road…
Aldric: well i don’t well…
Cassian: i, um, i know a nice place around the corner.
Cassian: cassian uh, just says unknowingly and takes starts walking out the door with. his friends are walking out the door and looking for a place to stay, oh…
Odine: do…
GM: is is cassian go ahead no you go first is…
Odine: go ahead, odin, odin. odin stands up to follow.
Odine: it is wobbly like: oh,
Odine: i just had one one mead and i am looking worse for the weather a…
Azrith: For…
GM: uh cassian comfortable roughing it or is he more the type that needs a bed um…
Cassian: he’s he’s yeah he’s looking for a bed yeah he didn’t bring a tent he had no intentions an…
GM: i think you’re. you’re looking to make your way into um, one of the enhancements of the nobles, to see if you can maybe find, like uh, a bedchamber that would recognize your um, your vassal house, and and sort of be accommodating to you in a group. so let’s do, let’s do an investigation check here. uh,
Azrith: everyone?
GM: let’s have cassian specifically do it, since he has the experience here.
Cassian: 18.
GM: 18. yeah, um, did we determine which, uh, which house yours is a vassal house of? i think we did write that some point. which one did i give you? do you remember was…?
Cassian: yes we did we did let me double check the name i’m gonna say the wrong thing here i…
Cassian: don’t know what happened to that conversation we had it um yeah…
GM: it just in our dms in here it…
Cassian: that’s what’s where it was but it’s not loading yeah…
GM: was house wolf health. no,
Cassian: that’s right who…
GM: i found it okay. um, so you are looking for the white banners and with an 18, um, you find them. um, i think you you find a potential spot. um, but i think going into this, you know it’s going to take you, being on your a-game to, uh, make this happen, especially for the group that’s tailing behind you. uh,
Cassian: is all telling behind me…
GM: you turn around and see aldrick, azarith and odin nearly tipping over behind everyone else…
Odine: wobbly odin what…
Cassian: oh dean you found your sea lakes well almost found them…
Odine: do you where? where is the sea you’re talking about and i’m looking around like i.
Cassian: oh you can’t you feel it well…
Odine: i don’t know what. i feel i should sleep, sorry…
Cassian: wonderful idea i think we’re heading in the right direction let’s go my friends…
GM: you find a noble servant who seems to be one of the caretakers of this particular part of the campgrounds um this is no longer in the same area where you guys had your drinks and uh this is now on on a special hill that is um let’s uh we’ll call it actually i might yeah here we go uh this is borehead tour is what it’s called this area um let me put that in here um on this hill you have a significant number of elegant silk tents um larger tents uh prize horses guards all around uh particularly wearing the white and golden armor uh you see the banners posted and shrunk around this hill is much cleaner uh smells much nicer um and there’s revelry going on even at this late hour in the evening uh you find a tent that you look in seems like it’s a bedchamber that could potentially house you in your party um and the uh noble servant that you’re gonna have to finagle in order in order to get access i…
Cassian: cassian walks up to the noble servant and he looks him in the eye and grabs his hand and a nice firm shake as he puts his other hand on his arm and he says: ah, wonderful to see someone so close to my family. i’m cassian, by the way,
Cassian: seeing fortescue, i’m surprised you don’t remember me…
GM: apologize who are you pass…
GM: forward to skew your house hasn’t made a showing at the tourney in years what are you doing here…
Cassian: well we came to represent house wolfhelm of course ah…
GM: he’s short us a little bit as if that’s wolfhelm doesn’t represent themselves well enough are you here to tease me…
Cassian: we only seek to increase their reach in their glory of course they have been a kind and wonderful what’s the right word to us they’ve been kind of wonderful to us ah…
GM: yes i’m sure that that is the case what can i do for you what do you need i…
Cassian: we were looking for a place to sleep this day this evening to breath for tomorrow’s games yeah…
GM: see, well, normally i would have have a place for you, but unfortunately do we have someone who’s having a hard time that christopher on the uh yeah,
Cassian: we lost christopher on the hotel internet.
Cassian: welcome man,
GM: you back,
Odine: i’m back…
Cassian: what does…
GM: um,
GM: he says. unfortunately i will not be able to accommodate you this evening, as cardis has asked me to keep this bedchamber available for his return party later this evening…
Cassian: cassian recognize cardis’s name i…
GM: uh yeah i think a hundred percent uh i think you’ll have to guide me here on whether you think you would have met him or not but he would be um the eldest prince of lord edwin the head of the house yeah…
Cassian: think i’ve met him in passing a greeting nothing more and he was a douchebag oh…
GM: that checks. that checks. yeah,
GM: he’s a, he’s a dude and he’s young and he knows how to party. so um, it doesn’t surprise you that he’s cleared an entire bedchamber out for what may or may not even get used this evening, surely…?
Cassian: cardis…
Cassian: cardis my old friend ah of course and…
GM: you understand, i i can’t give you access to this bedchamber unless i lose my head. uh,
Cassian: uh does…
GM: you could always try the. you could always try the campgrounds or, if you’re truly desperate, there’s always beggars, rook,
GM: beggars, rook, beggars.
Cassian: cassian recognize baker’s rook um…
GM: rook would be a little bit of an insult. i think to you that that’s like yeah, no thanks, okay…
Cassian: cassian uh after hearing him say that cardis would have his head and reading uh kind of cassian watches him as he says this to get uh to see if there’s any familiarity of a feeling towards cardis of disgust and dislike and…
GM: okay insight check…
GM: how’d we fare here what’d you get and kind of dead in there um i think you feel like it comes from less of a place of emotion and more one of logic the man probably needs and wants his job um you’re not sure how deep the loyalties go but you suspect they they could be there but it also doesn’t strike you as like over imposing undying loyalty…
Cassian: i got a 10 well…
Odine: i’m…
Cassian: i’d hate for you to lose my your head my friend of course but you couldn’t suggest the the rook the rookery the whatever you know clearly…
GM: yes well i unfortunately just don’t have much to offer you on such uh short notice my lord uh again perhaps not…
Odine: gonna walk up next to cassian and go what is this what is this guy doing not not that drunk actually just like he’s gonna put us in the rookery can…
GM: no i’m not trying to put you anywhere i just i can’t put you here is all that’s uh unfortunately the problem i fear um…
Cassian: there must be somewhere you know of that would be a little bit more elevated…
GM: well let me look uh give me a persuasion check here…
Odine: we like take his quarters a…
Cassian: 18.
Cassian: oh dean cassian kind of lightly shoves odine back by the head just dean of…
GM: teen fine…
GM: you can have my tent for one evening and that’s it and then i don’t want to see you around here for the rest of the tournament understand wait…
Odine: hiccup sweet…
Cassian: course of course of course thank you for your graciousness ah you you are truly a kind and wonderful human being i don’t care what card is said about you it doesn’t matter because it’s not important because that’s not who you are…
GM: what did he say about me wait a second come on i’m giving you my own bedchamber surely you can tell me what he said you…
Cassian: some things are better left unsaid my friend trust me on this one…
GM: little devil uh the fort excuse i say okay fine our business is concluded and he’ll show you to his tent it’s uh it’s much smaller than this one that you approached but it is cozy enough you might all have to kind of squeeze in the four of you but it’ll be much cozier than sleeping out without any cover i…
Odine: i got a place to sleep…
Aldric: this looks comfy i’m going to bed…
GM: think odin’s. i think odin’s already, like head, crashed onto a couple of pillows on the floor, like so, yeah,
Aldric: just dead…
Odine: it’s been a big day uh…
GM: yeah…
Cassian: cassian walks in and uh he immediately seeks and finds the bed and he says well i’ll i’ll take the bed since um you all just stood there while i did the work…
Odine: fine is there is this tent like i know it’s a small tent but is there like a heat source in here or uh okay…
GM: there’s a, there’s a small- um, i’ll call it like a brazier- that that has some, some coals in it that you can stoke and add, add to if you need to increase the heat.
Odine: cool i i cast firebolt at the brazier to turn it on to get the heat going…
GM: nice and warm, yeah, i love that. it just immediately heats up in the room and then eventually-
Odine: and i find a bedroll on the ground and just like yeah yeah i grab a bedroll and curl up on the ground…
Aldric: i’ll drink yeah…
GM: yeah, probably eventually, like smolders, down to a more comfortable temperature. but yeah, i love. i love sort of just the,
GM: the violent, just like all…
Azrith: Mm-hmm.
GM: right, you all do a long rest. okay,
Cassian: long rest i’m…
Odine: sweet sweet…
GM: awesome,
GM: um, go ahead and mark that on your character sheets. i think that would mean that those of you that sustained the necrotic damage will actually finally heal back up to full health in…
GM: our first session. uh, there was a little little um sort of over the table moment for azarith’s character and he offered to kind of leave that in front of the party. do we want to kind of follow that same motif? if there are ever visions, dreams, visitations, encounters during rests, do you guys want to like, kind of keep that all in the group part of the narrative?
GM: all good, all good with that.
Odine: yeah that’d be cool…
Cassian: fine yeah with whatever is…
Azrith: Yeah.
GM: um, as you nod off, uh, cassian, i think after a number of hours of deep sleep you find yourself in a dream. we’ll say you find yourself back in the the ragged flagon, um, drinking the piss, orc ale and finding yourself a bit disgusted with it, but drinking it nonetheless. as a figure walks up amongst the the blurred perception of the room that you have, and as it comes into focus, you see a masked uh figure adorned in a trimmed gown and regalia and a mask that conceals nearly the entire face. uh, revealing only the eyes behind the mask. mischievous eyes you’ve seen before in a dream. uh, this time, more clear, the image of this person comes to you and behind the mask a chuckle of intrigue, amusement, clever boy. i like seeing what you’re doing here. this is fun, much better than the last couple of weeks on the road, don’t you think yes…
Cassian: is is this well…
Cassian: it has been interesting uh cassian um takes his dice out and rolls it across his fingers what…
GM: you you feel the the power of the dice uh it’s connected to this this being that is sitting across from you the one that gifted it to you in your dream…
Cassian: brings you here this evening old friend i suppose cassian…
GM: well you can call me whatever you want what brings me here is i’m curious i usually like to understand what game i’m playing and in order to do that i need to understand what game you’re playing here who are these vagrants that you seem to have picked up along the road…
Cassian: says something that he doesn’t usually say out loud to anybody else but i suppose i just got lucky stumbling across these folks to help me get through this tournament…
GM: and what is it you’re in the tournament for coin glory tell me it’s something more interesting than that…
Cassian: well, i mean a little bit of raising my family status, a little bit of fame and glory, a little bit of fun and mischief-ness, mischievousness, mischievousness. i mean i’m,
GM: i feel like there’s something you’re not telling me this…
Cassian: i mean you’re in my dream, shouldn’t you know…?
GM: is your dream is it then you picked a nasty place for us to meet…
Cassian: i was just here it was easy access but not like i why didn’t you pick something better…
GM: i don’t i don’t know like you said it’s your dream anyways how’s the ale…
Cassian: i’ve had worse once or twice…
GM: unfortunate well what do you make of these tieflings interesting to meet two of them at once if you ask me…
Cassian: uncommon and unexpected indeed i see it as a something maybe going my way tell…
GM: call it serendipity well let’s make a wager then why don’t we you…
Cassian: me your offer i’m…
GM: say you’re looking to make a name for your house. stir up trouble. i can pull some strings here. make it easier for you. remove,
Cassian: listening could…
GM: remove the more immovable roadblocks, if you will…
Cassian: you make cardis fall on his ass in the mud now…
GM: i suppose i i could, but i don’t know that that’s going to fix your problem, artist. well, it would be. it would be fun to see.
Cassian: it would still make me a little bit happy entertaining yeah can…
GM: cardis is the least of your worries. house wolfhelm relies heavily on their prized possession. sir ross, i’m sure you’ve heard of him. they call him the doomfist, yeah…
Cassian: you spell that name for me i…
GM: yes i will put it in here for you if there’s anyone that you’re going to need to get past it will be him at the end if it’s not him it’ll be the one from house godron so but that is going to take some work so if i offer you my help what is it you can offer me in return…
Cassian: think the real question is is what is it that you desire shall…
GM: i don’t like to treat ingloria coin i prefer loyalties skills ones that cannot be bought…
Cassian: i be your man servant then i mean what is it that i can do that you desire…
GM: i wouldn’t stoop so low as to give you the title of manservant. i think you’re far more capable than that. why don’t we view it as a partnership? for now?
GM: i like the path you’re down. why don’t you continue to stir up trouble amongst the noble houses and make a name for yourself in the tournament? and if you manage to keep this curious group of individuals together, then i might be able to see what i can do well…
Cassian: what sounds…
Cassian: enticing i have one stipulation though and that is is that you tell me how my family acquired this dice…
GM: i can’t tell you that because i don’t know the answer…
Cassian: now perhaps you can help me find the answer are…
GM: i see. okay, if you’re going to up the ante, then i shall as well.
GM: i will find that answer for you and will give it to you near the end of the tournament, before your final bout, but in return, you will commit to keeping that young woman around. i find her interesting and relevant. yes,
Cassian: you talking about the weird one oh dean…
GM: don’t let her out of your sight…
Cassian: ah, i,
GM: keep her busy here at the tournament if you can and i will get you your answer i…
Cassian: i will do my best.
Odine: odin’s…
Cassian: i thought if you never quit, unless it’s time to quit…
GM: suppose that’s what you say about yourselves yes anyways i must be going…
GM: i will get some of you and i’ll just keep in mind on that and i’ll get it to you and i will be getting the time and i will get you to the end of the season so i will get you to the end of the day as you yeah go ahead i…
Cassian: cassian just yeah cassian just rolls his dice over his fingers and then flips it up and catches it to see if the numbers always fall the way he hopes…
GM: think as you watch to see the how the numbers fall your hand slips and the dice falls from the table and as you bend to grab it you feel that feeling of falling as you fall out of your chair and lurch forward in your bed waking up from your dream dice held firmly in your hand does…
Cassian: espion sits up abruptly and gasps this guy again well he makes good promises he kind of mumbles to himself hopefully this one’s works out for the best and looks around the room the…
GM: everyone sleep or yeah…
Odine: song lives…
Aldric: i’m like i’m laying on just the bare dirt i’m just gone like i don’t care where i’m sleeping i’m sleeping i’m…
GM: yeah, just a space fest.
Azrith: Azeroth is wide awake,
GM: oh interesting, azarath, you,
Azrith: staring, staring at, like, the window.
Odine: nothing with cassian…
Cassian: tent window oh…
GM: i think, azarath, you must have surely heard, i heard cassian lurch out of his bed and mutter to himself, then no…
Azrith: What’s up with you? Nightmare or something?
Cassian: that was a lovely broad oh my goodness you know how those broads can be she was absolutely teasing me you know what i’m saying and hi i couldn’t take it anymore i had to wake up so how what what’s what why are you still awake my friend oh…
Azrith: Think about some stuff. Like, how we’re gonna, I don’t know, how we’re gonna win this thing. Maybe, hunt some more ghosts.
Cassian: yes yes we shall do all these things with ease and poise of course nothing to worry about my friend as…
GM: problem yes nothing i…
Aldric: just sleeping just snoring in the back i’m just…
Cassian: you can tell aldrick our friend very well rested he’s gonna carry us through all of this don’t worry…
Azrith: Yep.
Aldric: with my sword and my shield…
Cassian: what time of day is it uh cassian uh peeks out the tent or the and…
GM: would say probably early morning like an hour or two to sunrise is cassian normally a an early bird gets the worm type i think yeah…
Cassian: no no no no cassian cassian is definitely not that he doesn’t mind being ready uh he’s kind of always on edge but uh he will sleep when he can sleep i…
GM: i think you feel like you could eke out a few more hours…
Cassian: see and lays back down in his bed and covers himself and he’s he pulls the blanket over himself and he looks over at aldrick anything hmm i should have shared this blanket at least a little oh well sleep…
Aldric: i’m just i’m just i’m like actually like i’m starfish to like i look like a dead body…
GM: uh,
Azrith: Limbs are stretched to points where they shouldn’t be able to be.
GM: yes,
Aldric: yes…
GM: uh, at the rooster’s crow um dawn’s light, i think you all start to hear things waking up in the noble camp as life starts to awake and begin to move around. you hear horses clopping and neighing, swords being sharpened, the smells of breakfast being cooked where…
Aldric: i. i think my character is kind of. he kind of rises as everything else around him does you know? he kind of wakes when duty calls, so he hears all of this and he’s like he’s already up. he’s like all right. it’s time i’ve slept,
Cassian: hard play hard well…
Aldric: yeah…
GM: to first do…
Aldric: that’s a good question it…
Odine: um before we go i wanna uh yeah let me i’m gonna i’m gonna wake up and kind of stretch and look to cassian and say uh so i’ve i’ve never done anything like this what uh what can i expect from the king’s tourney at this evening okay…
Cassian: there’s gonna be a bunch of ugly bastards casting spells and swinging swords at us but don’t worry they’re really not great that’s why they’re at the bottom i mean we shouldn’t be at the bottom but you know you have to start somewhere so i wouldn’t really worry about all that much just uh follow me and uh everything’s gonna be just fine…
Odine: um uh uh and you’ve done this before…
Cassian: this specifically oh um no i mean i’ve watched it a few times uh but uh you know i’ve definitely been training for it i i spent some time at the fort uh the castle whatever you want to call it it’s stupid it’s nobody it’s not even worth being there honestly don’t don’t worry about it too much and so um we did some training though and i i we’re definitely ready i i haven’t really lost a fight yet so it’s gonna be it’s gonna be fine everything’s gonna everything’s gonna be amazing oh…
Odine: okay okay okay okay any any advice for uh i mean i’ve i i i don’t like hurting people but any advice okay…
Cassian: yeah no it’s fine yeah um did you did you bring your belt for your pants you’re gonna need to keep your pants up the whole fight you don’t want to trip because it’s probably gonna be muddy and i’d hate for you to get hurt as well so don’t don’t worry about the other people so much uh just make sure you have your shoes on your pants on and your shirt on and bring any of your accessories everything’s gonna be super great really…
Odine: uh, uh, uh, thanks, i i don’t know if this helped or not, but thanks, i’m just gonna prepare for the day.
Cassian: dude yeah do we do we need to get you a new pair of shoes that’s the problem oh…
GM: you feel reassured…
Odine: i don’t know. i mean i’m, i’m, i’m kitted out, i’m ready. don’t worry like i, my pants won’t fall down. uh, i, just uh, i just don’t. i don’t know what to expect. i’ve never heard of this thing,
Odine: but okay, well, okay, i’m just gonna. i’m gonna follow your lead, then, okay…
Cassian: it’s just for fun everyone’s just out there fun yeah i wouldn’t i wouldn’t work yeah we’re gonna have we’re gonna have a really great time…
Odine: okay okay and i look reassuringly i look reassuringly at everybody else like i’m looking cats me in the eyes like aldrick in the eyes and as within the eyes okay we’re gonna be okay okay…
Aldric: went all the ale…
Cassian: yeah,
Cassian: yeah, aldrich, aldrich knows aldrich, yeah, yeah, aldrich, you know what i’m saying,
GM: yeah yeah aldrich roll me aldrich rolled me a um investigation check i think that would be suitable here a…
Aldric: yeah i…
Cassian: man does…
Aldric: rolled a two and then it came out as a three i got a three yeah…
GM: two oh no a three uh you’ve come here i think with the full intent to fight that’s essentially why you wanted to be here today uh with this day dawning upon you um you kind of think through everything you’ve been able to glean and learn about what this bout in the proving grounds is about to be and you realize that you know nearly nothing about what to expect or what you will be fighting or who whom you will be fighting going…
Aldric: i know i know very little…
Odine: well we have to beat a tent to four um later tonight what are we uh what should you do before then i…
Aldric: well that’s that’s a good question…
Cassian: everyone have everything they need…
Odine: check for my obsidian daggers under my under my cloak and say yep that’s everything…
Aldric: yeah…
Cassian: azareth in…
GM: up aldrich shields she…
Aldric: yeah isn’t that going to be done she said it dawn probably probably yeah…
Cassian: the dawn yep yep so right about now lead the way aldrich ah…
GM: said swing by in the morning basically and she’ll get you out you…
Aldric: which, which, which, which way is the attorney again cassian? any directions, man?
Cassian: this way this way my friend…
Aldric: ah, okay, okay…
GM: guys head back to the fairgrounds, we’ll move over here, back to the king’s fair and, uh, find yourselves at grevelda’s tent once more.
GM: and i think grevelda is just pulling off her morning cap cap and stretching her arms as she begins heating up her furnace this morning, munching on a very crunchy, sounding, stale piece of bread. i kind of like to imagine grevelda’s like missing a tooth or two on the bottom, on the bottom rope,
Aldric: ah yes it…
Azrith: Yeah.
Cassian: just the bottom aldrich…
GM: just the bottom.
Aldric: was caused by the bread for sure…
GM: there’s like another tooth sticking out of the bread.
GM: i said: dawn, it’s totally light outside by the time you get here…
Odine: that’s great yeah…
Odine: yeah…
Cassian: i think revelda was speaking to you…
Aldric: oh, oh, yes,
Aldric: well, i i i’m sorry to interrupt your uh, your morning um routine. uh,
Aldric: we are, we. are we too early?
Aldric: you know the the ghost hunters that that helped your brother?
Odine: four…
GM: what who are you again i don’t remember you oh yes okay i’m just putting i’m just yanking your chain come over here she she pulls out a ornate shield that uh is a pure dwarven workmanship and has the symbol of an eye emblazoned upon the front of the shield um aldrich what color do you imagine the shield is…
Cassian: ah…
Aldric: ah, yes…,
Aldric: oh i want to i want to go with with a blue color that’s kind of like the jet it’s like the most generic blue you can think of that’s kind of the same color that a scarf is yeah that’s kind of is yeah exactly me…
GM: standard standard blue army blue.
GM: i love it. um, this is a sentinel shield and if you go into your inventory,
GM: you should be able to add items and search specifically the uh manage inventory, add items and then, in the search bar, search for the sentinel shield this…
Aldric: mm-hmm…
GM: shield uh offers advantage on both initiative roles and perception checks it…
GM: requires a. it requires an action to pull it out or stow it. so you kind of need to decide if you’re going to sacrifice the additional damage on the sword to gain the armor class buff and the initiative buff when you start fights, um,
Aldric: so i i can find this kind of switch between offensive and defensive a little bit…
GM: or if you exactly you could put it away and then be two-handed on your sword and ready to strike immediately, or if you’re mid-fight and you need to switch strategies. you can trade me an action to swap swap modes. were you able to find that item?
Aldric: i did yes i have added it right…
GM: great,
GM: um, and i think she also will, uh, give each of you, uh, four gold coins and will say if you ever find your way to the veil. look up my brother, grim hall, grim…
Aldric: you…
GM: hall dusk belt if you’re truly ghost hunters then he may have use for you and more coin yep…
Aldric: hear that azareth…
Azrith: I sure do.
Odine: gold a piece i’m…
GM: a bit of a reward for taking care of the town. ghost problem, nice,
Odine: rich now 59 gold pieces i’m…
GM: don’t spend it all in one place…
Azrith: Yay.
Odine: gonna get some more of that mead tonight i…
Cassian: hold up let’s find you something a little finer than that mead thank…
Azrith: No, Dean, we can’t be an alcoholic.
GM: she liked it the…
Odine: wanna you go ahead it’s uh so has has the tournament started or is there like can we go watch some some of the games before ours can…
Cassian: you gravelta odin oh that’s it i i was peacing out…
GM: main events haven’t started but the proving grounds will start a little bit later this morning so yes you can watch some of the other contenders if you’d like…
Odine: we and i’m gonna look over at everybody it’s…
Cassian: odin we have like mind that’s exactly what i thought we should do let’s go look at our competition and see how measly and sad they are gonna…
GM: a pack of others. yes, indeed, um,
Odine: a pack of out there…
GM: you’re not far off, i think, as you make your way over there. um, you realize that the proving grounds this year have been designed as a bit of a multi-phase spectacle of sorts. um, not just pure combat skill. the groups that are entering as parties of four are being placed through tests. um, some of them are more puzzle-like in nature. um, others are just to see if they can survive the pressures and standard, uh, standards of combat against some dangerous beasts. um, no, owl bears, but bears. yes, uh, you do see a bear. um, think of this like fantasy bullfighting. in a way, there are dangerous creatures that end up getting released, um, and some fare very well, while others find themselves getting stuck in the mud and embarrassed or devoured in front of everyone. uh, some of the performances range from silly all the way to devastatingly gruesome. uh, with the occasional impressive party, i think that there’s like one in particular that you guys see that like a well-oiled machine, cruises through the proving grounds. um, they look like strapling young farmer boys that have grouped up from their various villages and work together and have just raw strength to overcome the combat that is presented to them, and they get approached by observers, potential vendors and sponsors at the end of their bout seem to start getting some coin and things handed out to them. um, so i think you guys get to kind of measure what success might look like there, as well as the failure. um, after a few hours they close things up to take a break. um, but i think what you notice the most is, um, this arena, as cassian so astutely mentioned, is packed with mud and sawdust and blood. it’s messy and gross. cheap banners flap overhead. um, there’s sort of like some betting rings of petty gambling going on. um, watching these fights and some death stares that you all get from some of the bruised fighters as they limp out or get carried out in stretchers…
Aldric: hold…
Aldric: on, hold on,
Aldric: i gotta find a joke for that dude, i have so many.
Cassian: find it…
GM: got one prepped…
Aldric: yeah, should should have worn a helmet man…
Odine: he’s like missing his is there…
GM: i think you find a guy whose helmet got completely bashed off of his head like sitting there in the mud still in the uh the large iron porticulus closes as the horns sound and the the proving grounds take a recess midday…
Azrith: Should’ve worn a helmet.
Cassian: cassian. uh, looks around for one of the folks that are taking wagers and bets. uh, not moving, but looking. see if we can look at somebody. um,
Cassian: he tells his group: hold, hold, stay here for a moment. guys, don’t move, don’t trust me, you don’t want to walk around these parts without knowing where you’re going. and he immediately walks off towards one of the betters and the wagers: no…
GM: attempting to maybe catch somebody’s eye of…
Aldric: oh so should we just should we just follow him i guess oh okay oh…
GM: course of course oh…
Cassian: no no stay here get…
Odine: someone selling like goods like funnel cake or anything like for spectators yeah okay cool yeah exactly where’s my turkey legs yeah okay…
GM: yeah 100 percent yeah yeah the uh the age-old medieval indian fry bread stand renaissance and no yeah they do have turkey legs as well yeah you may partake um most most items will run you just a silver piece or two depending on what you’re looking for…
Odine: yeah i’m just gonna i’ll stop someone that’s like hucking them and like i’ll just i’ll take some and and look at it yeah not turkey leg because i don’t eat meat…
Aldric: do they do they i need i need the full-on like pig leg like…
GM: yeah double legs fair enough fair enough but but but these these men they managed to ruin bread too just like covering it and butter and sugar and salt yeah…
Cassian: your turkey legs cold beer here cold beer here yes…
Odine: i know but i’m gonna i’m gonna have something that smells good i need some food to eat i’m just gonna wait for cassie to come back but i’m uh i’m starting to relax and enjoy myself and like take in the fair…
GM: 100 percent.
GM: yeah, um, cassian, are you approaching anyone? or are you more so investigating, stealthy, looking quickly, looking for a quick deal, all right, uh,
Cassian: yes quickly very very no no just walking right up to him very quickly looking for a quick meal…
GM: yep, you walk up. i assume you’re kind of uh putting on this whole. hey, i know what i’m doing here…
Cassian: ah, hello, sir. ah, i i’ve got, uh, three gold for this group behind me. look at that group. you see them. don’t don’t worry about the weird one,
Cassian: but i have a good feeling about them. i think they’re gonna win. so i’m gonna make a wager on that group right there. i don’t know where their other team member went, but uh, three gold says they win their next bout…
Odine: i’m…
GM: i’ll take you on that in fact i’ll i’ll take you on that in in fact i’ll raise you to four uh and i say that at least one of them gets incapacitated during their bout…
Odine: stuffing my mouth full of bread right now it’s it’s…
Aldric: ezra we we should be arm wrestling while this is happening…
Azrith: Yeah.
GM: cassian, are you owning the fact that you’re with them, or are you merely trying to kind of play on that? you’re betting, betting on them.
Cassian: i’m i’m betting yeah i’m betting on them i’m not playing that i’m with them i’m just betting on them come…
GM: okay,
GM: let’s do a deception check…
Cassian: on dice fuck off i have a plus five i’ll…
Azrith: I mean, you mind dice, man.
GM: man sometimes you win and sometimes you lose i think this guy sizes you up and he counts he’s like one two three who’s the other in that group looks at you curiously…
Cassian: tell you what i say we let’s make another wager on this i’ll raise you to five gold if you can select a number between one and six and it lands on the dice uh let me rethink that hold on i had it in my head and then i lost it all i’ll make you a wager low or high on the dice if you win i’ll raise i’ll raise the wager to five gold…
GM: if i okay go ahead hmm and i expect that you’re with them and are betting on yourself but i don’t even care because i think you’re going to lose anyways so i’ll take you and i guess low…
Cassian: cassian rolls the thick sided dice and it lands on a four plus…
Odine: like nice you…
GM: five gold it is and he uh takes you over to where they formally put their wagers on the books sort of a bit of accountability and you were handed a ticket one that you will be accountable for if you lose or one of your party members goes down five gold pieces and if you win you will be able to claim your gold here…
Cassian: you’re doing business with you sir that…
GM: let’s uh let’s uh let’s say you mark the five down now as will he and then if you win you can come back and collect the 10.
Cassian: thing only has four gold…
GM: i guess we might need to do a sleight of hand check then…
Cassian: one one moment uh aldrich aldrich he sure…
GM: and and can cassian make four gold seem like five gold oh…
Odine: just got that back this morning…
Aldric: what yeah…
Cassian: can um cassian cassian beckons for his friend aldrich he’s simple uh but he’s got gold he whispers to the bookie…
Aldric: yeah, what,
Aldric: what is it?
GM: your friend is just short one gold piece here yeah…
Aldric: oh…?
Cassian: i made a wager that we were going to win the first round and i needed an extra gold piece what say you would you like to win some gold today of…
Aldric: i’ll wager but you you owe me drinks if i lose my gold coin…
Cassian: course, of course, absolutely. i would absolutely buy you a drink if you lose your gold coin. yes,
Cassian: cassian gives all four of his gold, plus aldrich’s one gold all…
Azrith: He’s going to be a great boy.
GM: double or nothing i love it all right you are on the books for a 10 gold prize should your party win without anyone being incapacitated all…
Azrith: He contributed.
Odine: okay okay…
Cassian: right oh…
GM: right anything else that anyone needs to accomplish before the end of the day when your slot for your combat comes up okay…
Aldric: no i think i think i’m ready i’ve got potions got a shield…
GM: well…
Azrith: Yeah, but she.
Cassian: uh cassian shouts to um oh dean oh dean oh dean would you mind grabbing me a piece of that bread while you’re over there…
Odine: you’ll grab them and i run like pack up a few silver strips and um grab some bread back and uh give it a…
GM: i think it’s now that you’re the the thrum thrum thrum thrum of the drum as varellin lestrange emerges from the crowd towards you elegant as ever and says ah my new friends here preparing for your big stage this evening well…
Odine: definitely ready what…
GM: i think i speak for many here that we’re all excited to see what you can do…
Cassian: ah well we shall put on a show and we shall have a good time i…
Aldric: just sharpening my blade you know getting getting ready how…
GM: yeah getting in the mindset i…
Cassian: guess ah…
Odine: do you what do you think our first challenge is going to be heck…
Azrith: Well, whatever it is, we’ll beat it.
Cassian: that’s the kind of attitude i like i…
Aldric: we’re gonna win this thing…
Cassian: know i picked the right team thank…
GM: love the confidence all right well we’re gonna need some time for that next encounter so why don’t we call that a good jumping off point for next week before…
Aldric: yeah…
Azrith: Yeah.
Odine: yeah i’m pumped for this yeah…
GM: you report to your to your tent for your your calling your call time list…
Cassian: you guys amazing session that was fun yeah…
Aldric: yes yes…
GM: yeah…
Azrith: Yeah.
Odine: no,
Odine: i like to build up. i like this world a lot and i’m trying to find a way to have odin grow, but also like be timid and also, yeah,
Cassian: guys i mean like i know i’m like the leader of the group but like help me out uh…
GM: yeah…
Aldric: uh-huh i’m trying man…
Odine: of course. well,
Odine: i’m trying,
Odine: i’m trying, i’m trying…
Azrith: I was a little more quiet this session.
GM: the begrudging leader of the group. i feel like cassia is.
Odine: oh dean oh dean will find it yeah oh…
Cassian: -huh,
Cassian: i don’t want this responsibility. oh,
GM: why am i the responsible one like?
GM: i know he doesn’t, i i like that. you’ve kind of naturally fallen into it.
Cassian: all right guys, that was great.
Odine: little shit yeah dude it’s cool it’s really cool yeah uh yeah i’ll be home next week so it should be good oh that’s right oh you’re gonna be on vacation yeah…
Cassian: thank you for this amazing world you’ve created trevor, yeah…
GM: yeah,
Aldric: yeah…
GM: yeah,
Azrith: This is awesome.
GM: glad you guys are liking it cool…
GM: i think i will be good,
GM: but i am gonna like formerly put myself as tentative just because i don’t know what my family plans are gonna be,
GM: what my wi-fi situation is gonna be. but i think it’s likely that i’ll be able to like join you guys and run it for a couple hours like we usually do on tuesday. so i’ll, um, i’ll,
Cassian: yeah yeah okay…
Cassian: if not we’ll make it work…
GM: i’ll check in like monday, tuesday morning. um,
Odine: no…
GM: if anything, i’ll have actually a lot of free time to prep this time. so i’m excited…
Azrith: Yeah, I, pretty much for, like, the next few months, I should not be late at all because no school.
Cassian: yeah no more time mm-hmm…
GM: nice summer summer vibes some of a appreciate it…
Odine: more summer start today for you,
Azrith: Mm-hmm.
Odine: or is it the last one,
Azrith: No.
Odine: the last day today, nice…
Azrith: It’s, well, technically, it’s when I get my last two final tests done. But, basically, I have no more classes this week.
Cassian: sweet,
Azrith: Or, yeah.
Odine: good luck kiddo all right guys yeah you as well see you
Cassian: all right man,
GM: solid solid solid fun fun everybody have a good week
Cassian: you too,
Aldric: no
Azrith: Yeah.
Cassian: guys see ya.
Azrith: See you guys.