Session S5.O-17
1629, Fire Season, Illusion Week, Godday
Dramatis Personae
PCs
Berra
Dormal
Maalira
Nayale
Oriana
NPCs
Serzeen
Venna
Tennebris
Kallyr
Eril
Some guy who knows Berra is a duck lover
Events
Dormal had returned to Nochet and was making connections and taking care of payoffs and such. One evening not long after he got back, Serzeen was waiting for him when he returned to the palazzo. She had run into three Rhigosite assassins1Repeatedly. With an axe.. One of the things she had picked up from their cooling corpses was a brush sketch of Dormal, in black, with red and brown splashes. Dormal was strongly advised to take a holiday up North, starting about… now. A horse had been saddled for him, and his things were already on it. He began his journey, in disguise, changing his look frequently.
Meanwhile, Oriana had been looking at the strange magic in the cave of horrible Chaosy things, and had decided not to mess with it too much, or indeed at all. When other people, possibly better magicians, arrived, she left without much regret. The others had extended an invitation to come up to Tarsh where they were not planning to join in the war at all, and as that was also her homeward direction, Oriana rode that way.
Oriana’s riding was, alas, imperfect. Thus Dormal in his Storm Bull disguise saw her rush past him on a bolting horse. She was helping it to go faster by shouting at it to stop. After some consideration, Dormal worked out that he thought he knew who she was, and that eventually she would fall off and he could help her. He did that, fixing up her broken leg and catching her horse. She did not see through his disguise. Dormal worked out that he knew her from the moment he had briefly possessed Berra’s body, and then the meeting in the Middle World on the way to Rich Post. Dormal elected to go with Oriana as people would be looking for a man travelling alone. They managed to keep each other from getting too lost on the way to Tarsh, and eventually Oriana worked out who Dormal was. Eventually they encounters scouts and were escorted to the Sartar/Grazeland army.
It was the day after Maalira had helped the Yelmalians and established their secret. Berra was encouraging people to get ready to travel. Nayale was taking every opportunity to train/fight with people. Maalira was working at the mobile hospital.
A messenger arrived for Maalira, passing along a message that the King of Sartar requested her presence for a visit in the evening. She could bring her bodyguards if she wished. This was not much of a surprise to Maalira, but Venna seeking her out was. The Storm Bull informed Maalira that the King of Alone would like her to help fix the issues in the south. She was encouraged to accept Kallyr’s assignment to deal with it.
Dormal and Oriana were invited in to the court, with Dormal taken to see see Tennebris, which left him genuinely surprised, although he did not explain why. Over a nice drink, Tennebris explained the problem; Kallyr was sending Maalira and Berra on a diplomatic mission. Dormal did not spill or spit his wine. Dormal accepted a retainer from Tennebris.
By the time Maalira arrived with her senior and junior bodyguards, there was a busy room. Oriana and Dormal were part of the crowd, as Kallyr kept court. Tennebris was there, supportively; Venna and King Jandetin the gloriously magnificent were also close by. Nayale was looking particularly scruffy and mis-matched, despite her polished armour, just because of the august company. Kallyr announced that she would be sending emissaries to deal with the dispute between the Sun Dome and the Locaem, and that Maalira would be her ears and voice down there. Maalira agreed as long as it would not interfere with other oaths, and so to be able to rely on violence if needed, Kallyr turned to Berra, and asked her to return her fee to Maalira. Berra refused, but Maalira offered to subcontract, which was close enough to a polite solution that Kallyr accepted it.
Kallyr presented Maalira with an arm ring as a token of rank, and gave a few instruction. The upshot was that Berra should deal with things urgently if things need urgent attention (i.e. Chaos, or potential for war). If things could be dealt with at a more relaxed pace, she should bring the plaintiffs to Kallyr. Berra asked to bring Lord Raven with her, and Eril manifested. He said he would have to think about the sword travelling, but had another of Kallyr’s arm rings, which he gave to the King to give to Berra.
After that, there was the traditional mixing at court. Dormal gave some of Tennebris’ money to Oriana, who accepted but did note she saw it only as a down payment. Berra kept Nayale under her wing for a bit, then took her out of the party as it became more Sartarite. On the way out, they were followed by someone who fancied Nayale. A friend of his called out that Berra wasn’t worth the effort, she only liked ducks. Berra recalled this was a friend of Ardr, the man who had hit on her in Wilmskirk long ago. With a bit of moral support from Berra, Nayale said no in an intimidating way, and it worked. Berra’s glare might have helped.
In the morning, the group rode out. Berra and Dormal theorised that this might be Onjur. Berra was of the opinion it would be someone like him, rather than him, and Dormal was keeping his options open. They explained to Oriana and the others about Onjur, and Berra went over the Sartarite background of their mission, and the Locaem relationship to the Sun Dome. There were Sartarite lessons in decorum, and how precedent and Orlanthi justice worked, and Berra found out what a sorceror actually was.
They found their way through the Thunderbeasty landscape, and past the Shaker Temple. Deep in the forest, they felt they were being watched. Berra and Nayale could tell that a lot of things here just wanted them all dead, and maybe all creatures like them. At a good point to stop, Oriana cast magic to see what was there, lighting up the entire clearing where they were. Berra approached a willow tree and told it to talk if it had something to say – and it did. Nayale and Oriana were getting nervous and making preparations to fight. Dormal told them both to stay cool. The tree warned Berra that the Cannibal Sisters were agitated and hoping for a sacrifice. The tree had been sent by her people to protect the group from the angry spirits. In the end, everyone including the animals slept under the protection of the tree. Berra sent her regards to Joquill Greenleaf, upgrading to respects and thanks when the willow dryad said he had asked her to attend. Finally, the group made it to Duck Point.
Session Quotes
happy little Humakti look – Berra
“Was faffing and got distracted by an owl.” – Maalira
“Nochet, the city that never sleeps.” – GM
“… the heap.” – Berra
“Dormal. What a coincidence.” – Serzeen
“Um, yes, sure, if you like.” – Dormal
“You won’t believe who I bumped into as I was walking through the city today.” – Serzeen
“Is that an order?” – Dormal
“It is quite a good brush sketch of Dormal.” – GM
“This can’t be good. I mean, it’s good, but this can’t be good.” – Dormal
“Irillo…” – Dormal
“Yes, he got in last night.” – Serzeen
expression – Berra
“Do you need an escort?” – Serzeen
(You know where the temple of Uleria is) O o . GM
“Leika was in the wrong! Just saying.” – Varanis
“Yes, but she was also in the palace.” – Berra
“I can tell you now that she doesn’t have the Runes for that.” – Dormal/GM
chaos horns sign – Berra
“You’re not feeling any urge to meddle in things that men have no wot of.” – GM
“Well, I am, but I know I can’t.” – Oriana
“You are politely informed that the professionals have arrived.” – GM
“Time to clear the blast radius.” – Dormal
“We have gone all the way up to the war in Tarsh, but we did invite you, and we’re not planning to join in.” – Berra
“…Alright.” – Oriana
“So, give me a ride roll.” – GM
“Why would you do that to me? And this early in the evening?” – Oriana
“Oriana gives us the first fumble of the night.” – Varanis
yells at horse to stop – Oriana
“I suggest popcorn, Dormal.” – Varanis
“How does one stop a runaway horse?” – Dormal
“Well, there are plenty of options. One is five rounds rapid.” – GM
“Well, I have a bow, so that would be one round rapid.” – Dormal
“Or you could wait for her to fall off, heal her wounds, and then catch the horse once it’s slowed down.” – GM
“I failed this time, rather than fumbling, so that’s an improvement.” – Oriana
“The bad news is, 8 damage… the good news is, you’re now safely on the ground.” – GM
“No, actually, wait, you probably don’t recognise me at this point.” – Dormal
“Why not?” – Oriana
“I’m in disguise!” – Dormal Storm Bull
“How many knees should a leg have?” – Berra
“Incidentally, have you seen this man?” – Dormal Storm Bull holds up the picture of himself
“Nooooo….?” – Oriana
“Oh. It’s YOU. I did wonder.” – Oriana
“You’re going to the war to be safe from… wait, let me think that one through.” – Berra
“Dormal Weasel-friend…” – Berra
“See, our problem was getting Oriana a slow horse and then people keep making it try to go fast.” – Berra
“If we’d got her a thoroughbred in the first place, this would not be happening.” – Berra
“Even some of the trees have been foraged.” – Berra
“You are just in the middle of dressing a… how should I put this… religious cut and thrust of debate injury…” – GM
“Put pressure on there!” – Maalira
“Can I pass my message on too?” – Messenger
“Of course! Feel free to talk while you put pressure on.” – Maalira
“You can bring your bodyguards if you wish.” – Messenger
“That sounds official.” – Maalira
sniffs free wine – Dormal
“You are led off to one of the larger tents.” – GM
“Mmm, I’m getting a volunteer vibe.” – Dormal
“You might want to do something about that accent, too.” – Dormal
“What accent? Oh.” – Oriana
“Yes, exactly.” – Dormal
“The King of Alone is a way off. He is very keen that this matter in the South of Sartar is dealt with. I have heard that the Starbrow is likely to send you to deal with it.” – Venna
“Yes, I think Berra has suspected something like that.” – Maalira
“The White Bull needs his realms in one piece.” – Venna
“I understand,” says Maalira, not entirely understanding.
“Be careful with these stone yurt people. Their ways are not ours.” – Venna
“Is there anything in particular I should be careful of?” – Maalira
“Half of them seem to think they’re sable riders.” – Venna
confusions “OK… and what…” – Maalira
“Don’t trust their words.” – Venna
“Incidentally leaving a bloody handprint on your nice white robe.” – GM
“Well, the robe that was nice and white when I put it on.” – Maalira
“Ah, your Lordship. I am surprised to be summoned into your presence.” – Dormal
“No you’re not.” – Tennebris
“I actually am.” – Dormal
“Her majesty is going to send Berra and the Praxian White Lady to deal with a delicate matter.” – Tennebris
“Why?” – Dormal
“I’ll bear that in mind, but I still won’t poke the bear. Unless that would be funny.” – Dormal
“One of the duties of the King of Sartar is to judge when there are disagreements between tribal Kings. There is a dispute between the Sun Dome and the Locaem. I cannot judge this matter yet myself, and so I am sending emissaries.” – Kallyr
“You are to be my ears and voice down there, White Lady.” – Kallyr
“It would be an honour! Provided that it doesn’t interfere with my other oaths.” – Maalira
“I shall ask you to return your fee.” – Kallyr
“No.” – Berra
“Oriana, have you tried these salted puffed grains? They’re very good.” – Dormal
sudden Eril – GM
“There was talk of the Bat coming down, and then the Bat not coming down, and everyone went and changed their checked breeks…” – GM
“You put your Red Bat in, you put your Red Bat out, you put your Red Bat in and you shake it all about.” – Maalira
“I’ve lost the name…” – Dormal
“Orlanth?” – GM
“Yep, blue chap. Always in a temper. I realise that doesn’t narrow it down.” – Dormal
“So this is just the advance?” she says. – Oriana
“It degenerates into a Sartarite-style party after that…” – GM
“I’m taking Nayale away because she’s young and impressionable.” – Berra
“Can I inspire my Intimidate with Berra?” – Nayale
“Weasel calling the weasel weaselly.” – Nayale
“Berra explains chalk dick pics to Oriana.” – Nayale, logging
“It would solve a problem for him if you die.” – Dormal
“On you ride, getting close to the Shaker Temple.” – GM
“Alright, nobody try to look like a sacrificial victim.” – Berra
“The night comes alive. So, let’s work from the perimeter inwards.” – GM
“At the perimeter, quite a few of the trees appear to have magic points.” – GM
“What, the trees themselves, or things in the trees?” – Oriana
“Yes.” – GM
“And then, moving closer, there are a whole lot of apparently immaterial magic point nodes, flitting all around the clearing.” – GM
“If you have something to say, say it to us.” – Berra, hands on hips
“Alright, I will.” – Willow tree
( I didn’t have a plan for this bit. ) o . Berra
“If you don’t mind me asking, what are the spirits angry about?” – Dormal
“Probably about being dead.” – Berra-blurt
“If it’s appropriate, please give my regards to Joquill Greenleaf. No, actually, my respects.” – Berra
“He asked me to attend.” – Dryad
“In that case, respects and thanks.” – Berra
“Duck Point. I want you to imagine a cross between Ancient Rome, and Saigon at the end of the Vietnamese War.” – GM
“So, Ancient Rome.” – Dormal
- 1Repeatedly. With an axe.
