Back2Life, Back2Reality

Session 3.23

1628, Fire Season, Movement Week, Freeze Day

Dramatis Personae

PCs

Berra
Irillo
Suuraki
Valseena
Varanis
Xenofos

NPCs

Koraki
Someone chasing Koraki
Someone else chasing Koraki
Someone who is definitely not Koraki, nope
A nameless but very Kingly beggar

Events

Flashback – Dormal and Varanis talked about him visiting Mirava and after a brief moment of tension, she asked Xenofos to help her with a letter. In the meantime, Irillo gave Dormal a cover story in case he was questioned along the way.  Berra and Xenofos both separately told him what to expect on the road.

Shortly after returning to the area where the Grazelanders were patrolling, Berra and some of the others spotted a large signal fire. They came upon Suuraki, who was staring into “trackless wastes” in completely the wrong direction. With Valseena finally reunited with her husband the pair were left alone to discuss their next steps. On Valseena’s insistence. Ultimately, they decided to return to Sartar because Suuraki had unfinished business with regards to the Goddess of Teeth and Salt.

—-

After arriving in Alda Chur and setting up at the same inn they had used previously (the one marked with the sign of an upside down pheasant, Suuraki and Valseena disappeared upstairs and weren’t seen again until the next morning.1They were heard, just not seen.

Varanis and Xenofos went to the Temple of Uleria for baths, after which Varanis made her own way to the Air Temple. There she prayed for a time before returning to the inn.

Berra talked about the military situation at the Temple of Humakt, helping to rearrange pieces on a large mosaic map. The Sword of Humakt  with whom she spoke said that he’d take that report up to Gallem, who would likely take it to the king.

Berra arrived back at the inn to find a resigned Humakti bodyguard and a “mysterious cloaked stranger”2Koraki. After commiserating with the bodyguard and telling him that he could get some relief by obeying orders *exactly*, Berra turned to the mysterious yet kingly stranger.  She explained that her news might be bigger than the inn and he had his bodyguard clear the place out.  Berra helped, pointing out that there were two Humakti here who wanted the inn empty, and even telling the innkeeper to go outside.  Koraki tipped him handsomely.

Berra explained that Jar-eel had been doing the running of the Quest, and the old Red Emperor was back.  Just as she hit that moment, Varanis arrived and was given entrance. Berra briefed Koraki while they all drank3Really, about the only way to make it through that briefing. Eril may need the same.. After hearing the report, Koraki reckoned there would be about a year of grace.  Maybe even five.  Someone began to knock at the door and Berra told Gallem, by name, to wait – before finding out who it was. Amazingly, he did. She then told Koraki that Jar-eel might just kill the other Emperor, before he had to face the briefing. Berra invited Gallem in and as he greeted her, Koraki slipped out the back door, beginning what was to be a comical night of alynx and mouse throughout Alda Chur as the king’s people tried to track him down.

Meanwhile, Xenofos had made his way to the Library and attempted to pray.4Critical Worship roll. All the torches and light sources within the Library came alight and Xenofos was flooded with new knowledge such that he was overcome and fainted. The Sages were astounded by the miracle, but also knew that their colleague was in need of care and summoned the White Ladies who had him brought to the hospital for care and observation.  The healers banned the scribes from the hospital.

When Xenofos did not return as expected, Berra and Varanis sent a runner to enquire at both of his temples. The youth returned a while later with news of a miracle at the Library and that Xenofos was at the Temple of Chalana Arroy. Varanis decided that she needed to go check on him immediately and Berra came for her protection. They encountered a torchlit mob in the street who were searching for the king. After confirming that neither of the women was who they were looking for, the mob continued their hunt.

In his room, Xenofos was muttering strange things in Esrolian about rat udders and things of a similar nature. Varanis called for a stool (eventually a chair was brought) and she asked Berra to return to the inn for when Suuraki and Valseena emerged. The Vingan was staying the night. It was a night disturbed by strange ramblings, but she managed some sleep.

Berra left, telling Varanis she would be back in the morning, and went back to the Sign of the Upside-Down Pheasant.  Suuraki and Valseena were still celebrating their love, but did eventually quieten down.  Later even than that, with a band of people about two minutes behind him, Koraki wandered in through the back door and out through the front, looking very pleased about it.  In the morning, she told them where people were, and they packed and set off, taking food and animals for those not present.

The chief librarian wanted to talk to Xenofos, who didn’t tell her anything significant.  They left with the High Healer twisting her arm for cash for looking after her scribes all night, in exactly the same way he had persuaded Xenofos to make a donation.

On the way out of Alda Chur, they saw a beggar who was almost certainly secretly a King.  Berra tipped him a bolg.

The ride back home was free of drama, save for a brief vision; Suuraki, seeing a white llama on the horizon, mistook it for a white bear.  This was all the more interesting as he did not know what a bear was, and had to explain.  There was then a short discussion of White Bears, and Berra said that if one was seen, everyone else should not talk to it.  She did not elaborate, and for once had nothing to blurt, and nothing quick to say.

At the gates of Boldhome, the guards looked expectantly at Berra.  She tipped them and asked about messages.  Lord Eril wanted to see her at her earliest convenience.  There was also a message for Varanis, but she hadn’t tipped them, so they gave Berra her message first.  Varanis then tipped them, and got much the same message; Kallyr wanted to see Varanis, and it was her full list of titles that was used.

They went up to the palace with little trouble, although Berra had to cast magic to help her get up without stopping.  They were taken straight through to the main throne room where Varanis and Xenofos both sank down to a knee and Kallyr advanced on them.  She lifted up Varanis by both arms, and embraced her, saying she had secured the borders, at least for now, from the Bat.  Then there was a private meeting with Lord Eril and a few other advisors present.  Kallyr seemed genuinely pleased by the outcome, offering more hides to Varanis.  Berra suggested some could be in Sambari lands, as there were some in the group who had interest in a certain area there, but said she did not want to be a Thane of the Sambari.  Kallyr had had the Colymar in mind, and Berra pointed out that getting there would be difficult, at least for the moment, but nothing was committed to.

Xenofos accepted the offer of hides, Suuraki, speaking for Valseena, said she would like cattle, and that he himself would like the Shaman of Salt and Teeth to visit the Paps.

sets title – GM
“Back to the here and now yeah 🎶” – Valseena

“What do you intend to tell her?” – Varanis
“The truth…?” – Dormal
“From you?” – Varanis

“During that break, Berra checks if Dormal knows about the road ahead.” – Berra
“Not really.” – Dormal
“Berra gives a short run-down of the problems, most of which will be jumpy soldiers.” – Berra

“And it should be fine, but don’t get too far away from the road while checking anything out because it’s not all under Fazzur’s control.” – Berra
“Stay on the road. Check.” – Dormal
“And the ferryman is VERY talkative.” – Berra

On the way back, after giving Valseena a day or two have Suuraki back, Berra waits until they are both around, and says, “You said, before, about being maybe unable to leave. But I think you can’t in a different way. The Hero Wars are here. People get tied together by these events.”

“It’s a llama. It produces a lot of fire retardant.” – Suuraki
“So that’s how they make clouds!” – Berra

“Oh darling. Such a statement with your hair. Can we help you with it?” – Ulerian
“YES.” – Varanis

“Suuraki, make her very happy so that her anger will ease.” – Varanis

“So, Jar-eel ran the quest.” – Berra
“That seems inopportune.” – Koraki
“I don’t know what that means when you say that, but I’m going to go with short sharp shower of shit.” – Berra
“Perhaps.” – Koraki

“Silent glowering from Varanis.” – Varanis

“Jar-eel may just kill the other Emperor.” – Berra
“In case you wanted anything else to keep you awake at night.” – Berra

“I need him ambulatory.” – Varanis
“Oh, there’s no need for you to send him out to bring the ill for us. They usually find their way.” – Healer

“The beard’s a scribal thing.” – Berra
“She may or may not have grown it herself.” – Berra

“He’s short enough to be the Low Healer.” – Berra

“It’s really nice not to have to be the one getting the sleep spell…” – Berra

flips beggar Koraki a bolg – Berra
“Just ride casual.” – Berra

“I think that I have made an acceptable return.” – Irillo
“What, in that we’re returning?” – Berra

“Berra gets pretty tense when they are closer to Boldhome, in that thinking-of-Harrek way.” – Berra

“When the oaths were said, Eurmal was holding onto Truth. I am not entirely sure what that means, but it might have interesting consequences…” – Xenofos

“You’re able to get past Snakepipe Hollow without problems.” – GM
“Good, because that’s back West of Alda Chur.” – Berra
thinks – GM
“Oh shut up.” – GM

“We’re not exiled from there, are we?” – Suuraki
“Not yet.” – Irillo
“Give me time.” – Varanis
“I lose track…” Suuraki

“There’s also a message, but Thane Varanis didn’t pay us, you see, so you got yours first.” – Guard

all the titles of Kallyr” – Guard

“My Sartar, listen. These heroes have quested into the other world and have secured our borders, at least for now, from the Bat. Thus Sartar’s family proves its worth once more, to Sartar’s people.” – Kallyr

“I trust that I was suitably monstrous.” – Eril

“I find it interesting that the fates drew me in such a role for you.” – Eril
“I’m sorry about the lightning. I do remember that part.” – Varanis
“Orlanth must be victorious, of course.” – Eril

“I will take your report later, initiate.” – Eril
“She’ll have a lot to say.” – Varanis
“That is often the case.” – Eril

“One question, Varanis, and I will not insult you by asking Lord Eril to cast truth upon you. Do you aim to take Sartar from me or my child?” – Kallyr
“No, your majesty. I would be a terrible ruler at this scale of things. I would be bad for Sartar.” – Varanis
“Very well…” – Kallyr

“When there is mention of Harrek, Berra seems completely unworried.” – Berra passes Act

“The relic of Truth, you say? From Humakt’s hall?” – Eril
“From the hands of Eurmal the trickster.” – Xenofos
“You know that Eurmal cannot change what is True, but if you think the thing should be given for safekeeping, I can suggest no safer place than the Humakti Temple.” – Eril
intercession of chief librarian
“Perhaps we can discuss this matter at more length in private.” – Eril
<<Uuuh… I’m not sure of the Trade-talk… yes, comparing the size of their balance sheets.>> – Berra

“Was that an offer to be a thane in Sambari lands, Berra?” – Kallyr
“If I wanted to be a thane in Sambari lands, I’ve had said.” – Berra
“The people who don’t ask are often more reliable.” – Kallyr
“… still no.” – Berra

<<And I asked her to give lands near the cave, if we wanted. If you want them. Then you get the money from them.>> – Berra

“Berra and I have agreed that Dormal and the GM will have to write this bit of the WRH.” – Varanis
“Dormal has to roll Truth first.” – Berra


  • 1
    They were heard, just not seen.
  • 2
    Koraki
  • 3
    Really, about the only way to make it through that briefing. Eril may need the same.
  • 4
    Critical Worship roll.