# 17. Session Seventeen — Voran's Well **In-game start:** Spring 67 | **Played:** 27 August 2025 [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 16 - Dream a Little Dream of Me|← Session 16]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 18 - Freeing Voran's Well|Session 18 →]] ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Locations & Shared Scenes/Campfire Rain.jpg|780]] > [!abstract]+ TL;DR > - The group continue their wet trudge towards [[Voran's Well|Voran’s Well]] and approach the simple-seeming village. > - **The Hound & Hearth:** He offers beers and fish, proudly stating the beer is a local brew called Mountain’s Bounty. > - **Borron, Voren’s Tower, and the old ways:** [[Borron]] says it has not, so they bring him up to speed on the goblin attack and the division in [[Polark]]. > - **Riverbend Provisions:** [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], alarmed, interrogates him until Kiro opens his mouth to reveal a severed tongue — explaining his muteness. > - **The blacksmith: self-harm and something watching:** The man shouts that he must continue — he has orders from god. > - **The shrine and Father Kelros:** [[Elena]] asks Kelros if he can help her speak with “this god.” Kelros says he can take her — but instead of walking away from town, he heads back into it. > - **Camp: guilt, comfort, and Myst:** [[Pipe]] tells her he had a bad dream and it felt very real. > [!star]- Memorable Moments > - 😬 **Disturbing — Raphius:** Raphius uses Command to stop a dominated villager’s macabre work; the order holds for only a moment before the man calmly returns to it. > - 😨 **Nightmare — Pipe:** Pipe admits that his latest dream did not feel like a dream at all, while Persephone connects it to the warning about “the one with the book.” > - 🕯️ **Faith — Elena:** Elena asks Kelros if he can help her speak to “this god.” He says yes — and instead of leading her away from danger, walks straight back into town. > - 🤯 **Mystery — Pipe:** Another page of Vanthar’s Sanctarium reveals something new: a creature called **Silverglass**. > - 🎭 **Protective — Elena / Pipe:** With Persephone only just escaped from the Brotherhood and the dreams pointing towards Pipe, Elena makes it clear she is not letting the cult take another member of the group. ## Session Notes The group continue their wet trudge towards [[Voran's Well|Voran’s Well]] and approach the simple-seeming village. At the heart of the settlement is a jagged cliff, on top of which stands a small stone tower. Similar in style to [[Polark]] and [[Briar's Creek|Briar’s Creek]], [[Voran's Well|Voran’s Well]] is slightly larger in size. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 17/vorans well graves.jpg|780]] ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 17/vorans well market.jpg|780]] ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Locations & Shared Scenes/The Misty Peaks Vorans Well.jpg|780]] As the group approach the main gate, the guard nods wearily and permits them entrance. People mill around on daily errands. Meagre palisade defences are visible, and further in are more robust buildings used for trade. ### The [[Hound & Hearth]] They reach a tavern with familiar smells drifting out and a wooden sign swinging lazily in the rain: The [[Hound & Hearth]]. Inside, a rotund fellow with two braids in his beard greets them — more like an abnormally large dwarf than the elf he actually is. He offers beers and fish, proudly stating the beer is a local brew called Mountain’s Bounty. A few locals are enjoying breakfast, and there’s a merchant sat alone. As the party look for someone to question for gossip, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] approaches the merchant and asks if he’s travelled far. The merchant is heading the opposite direction, having come from [[Peaks Point]], trading fabrics. They exchange pleasantries, and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] learns [[Peaks Point]] is preparing for Spring’s Crest and people are excited about it. ### [[Borron]], Voren’s Tower, and the old ways When the innkeeper brings food, [[Elena]] asks his name. He introduces himself as [[Borron]]. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Characters/Borron Tyber.jpg|780]] The group introduce themselves as travellers and ask if word has reached him about events further down-country. [[Borron]] says it has not, so they bring him up to speed on the goblin attack and the division in [[Polark]]. They ask about a general store and get directions. [[Borron]] says things are well here, but he still praises the old ways. He informs them there is a Shrine to Ithis, overseen by [[Father Kelros]]. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Characters/Father Kelros.png|780]] They also learn of Voren’s Tower atop the cliff, where legend says an old sorcerer once lived — a man claimed to have escaped a famous prison out in the middle of the ocean. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] watches Borron’s pupils and mannerisms and does not detect the same absence of cognition they saw in the monastery’s inhabitants. The group discuss whether it’s possible the villagers here were such firm believers of the old ways that they were never drugged or controlled — and may instead be willing participants of their own free will. They decide to head to the general store, then the shrine. Before leaving, [[Elena]] asks [[Pipe]] if he’s coming — he’s spread out with paperwork and wants more than ten minutes to sit and read. [[Elena]] asks if he wants anything from the store (parchment, etc.) and whether they should fetch him before the shrine. [[Pipe]] says he’ll accompany them to the shrine. [[Elena]] asks [[Pipe]] to look at two runes she gave him the night before. [[Pipe]] examines the first rune and, while not fully certain, deciphers it as a representation of cloud, and of connecting/transferring something like pain from one place to another. [[Pipe]] then turns his attention to [[Vanthar's Sanctarium|Vanthar’s Sanctarium]], and another page reveals itself, introducing a creature called Silverglass. ### Riverbend Provisions Leaving The [[Hound & Hearth]], they cross toward the heart of the settlement and pass a small market green still trading in produce. They reach a modest general store named Riverbend Provisions. Inside, it smells of leather and grains. The store is attended by an old shopkeeper with weathered, tanned skin and a faint scent of herbs and spices around him. As [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] engages the shopkeeper (they learn his name is Kiro), they find he is mute. When he gestures with a wrinkled smile, they realise he has two severed stumps where his hands once were. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], alarmed, interrogates him until Kiro opens his mouth to reveal a severed tongue — explaining his muteness. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Characters/Kiro Dinn.png|780]] After awkward questioning, they complete their shopping. They purchase: - A tarp - Parchment - A vial of dye - Burning incense - 10 rations Back at The [[Hound & Hearth]], [[Pipe]] inspects the second rune and discerns it represents fire. The group then head to the market for fresher produce, buying vegetables: a pumpkin, a swede, and potatoes. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] continues asking about Kiro’s missing hands, but the market trader deflects and denies knowledge. [[Elena]] stops at a spice stall and is presented with a small bottle of crushed chilli flakes, which she’s pleased with. She chats gently with the stall girl and asks about the shrine. The girl says [[Father Kelros]] has reportedly been smashing it up for some time and claims she has always followed the old ways. They return to the tavern to fetch [[Pipe]] before heading to the shrine. [[Pipe]] is warm, dry, and excited to tell [[Elena]] what he’s learned: the runes loosely mean cloud and fire. [[Elena]] is confused at first, but [[Pipe]] explains the “cloud” rune seems to carry a connotation of transference, which resonates with [[Elena]]. They also interpret the “fire” rune as cleansing, which makes more sense to her. [[Pipe]] asks if he can read Elena’s entire book. [[Elena]] apologises and says it’s sacred to her and she wants to keep it private for now. [[Pipe]] announces he’s deciphered another page and wants to try summoning Silverglass. Surprisingly, [[Elena]] admits the conjured animals so far have been delightful — and she’s willing to help, but only if they create a safe space/environment to do it. ### The blacksmith: self-harm and something watching On the way to the shrine they pass a blacksmith and hear metal on metal. [[Elena]] asks to pop in briefly. Inside, a blacksmith works at the anvil and ignores their greetings. [[Pipe]] calls out more insistently — and realises the man is hammering a nail into his own hand, sweat pouring down his face. [[Pipe]] cries out in horror. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] and [[Elena]] rush to restrain him. The man shouts that he must continue — he has orders from god. [[Pipe]] tries to reason with him and casts Charm Person, but it fails. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] casts Command, stopping him briefly — but seconds later the man returns to the macabre task. Desperate, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] recalls a conversation about pain breaking a hold and punches the man in the face… then immediately regrets it, bound by his oath not to harm innocents. Suddenly, the man stares straight at them and, in a very different tone and accent, asks who they are — their names. The group reply that he’s the blacksmith and they came for business. The man looks around as if speaking to people not in the room and says: “They’re in the blacksmith.” [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] struggles to restrain the man’s muscular strength and asks [[Elena]] to help. [[Elena]] warns he won’t like her solution, asks if he trusts her, receives a nod, then slashes the man’s throat. The group recoil in horror. [[Elena]] reminds them they said they trusted her. She pauses just long enough, then casts Spare the Dying, stabilising him — denying him his final journey and gently pushing his soul back into his body. She states he will recover with time. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] tries to drag him to his own bed, but urgency wins out. They flee the smithy and run toward the shrine. ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Session Artwork/Session 17/Blackthorn Smithy.jpg|780]] ### The shrine and [[Father Kelros]] Approaching the shrine, they see five people gleefully digging five graves, which [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] fears may be meant for them. At the shrine, they find [[Father Kelros]] happily smashing rocks and walls down. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] approaches delicately and asks questions about the shrine and its history. He provides some information but seems just as fanatical and brainwashed as the rest. [[Elena]] asks [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] whether Kelros is responsible for controlling everyone or is equally controlled. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] believes he’s controlled too. [[Elena]] argues they shouldn’t waste time here. [[Elena]] asks Kelros if he can help her speak with “this god.” Kelros says he can take her — but instead of walking away from town, he heads back into it. [[Elena]] refuses. She tells the group they shouldn’t go back into town — it’s a viper’s nest and they’ve been seen. She won’t relive the torture and death [[Merric Veil]] dealt her. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] only just escaped their clutches, and the eyes in the dream said they were looking for the one with the book — [[Elena]] won’t let [[Pipe]] be captured. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] is torn between survival and the desire to help liberate the villagers. Eventually, the group flee into the mountains and forests, searching for somewhere safe and secluded to make camp. [[Elena]] tries to cover their tracks, but the rain does a better job than she ever could. ### Camp: guilt, comfort, and [[Myst]] At camp they lay out tents, tarp, and a fire. [[Pipe]] sets down the [[Weirdstone]]. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] is sombre and quiet. [[Elena]] asks if he’s okay. He says no. She tries to reason with him about the bigger picture. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] listens but remains conflicted — he wants to help people he meets, to do right by them. He walks off into the night to vent frustration. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] prepares the evening meal. She takes pumpkin seeds into the forest and buries them at the foot of a tree, reflecting on her traditions and the harvest rites of Ithis. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] goes after [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] and comforts him. He admits [[Elena]] is right, but the decisions are hard. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] shares her own distress — especially at [[Elena]] slitting the blacksmith’s throat — though she recognises it did stop him, and he will be okay. They share a tender, sombre moment and affirm they trust each other and the purity of their intentions. Back at camp, [[Elena]] scratches a circle of runes into the ground and burns ten gold’s worth of incense to hear the familiar caw that reminds her of home, resummoning [[Myst]]. They settle down to sleep with [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] taking first watch. His watch passes unremarkably. He wakes [[Elena]], who fusses over [[Myst]], trying to make up for his most recent demise. The familiar weight on her shoulder and the nuzzling into her hair relaxes her and reminds her of home. She breathes deep of the cool night air and takes out [[The Final Journey]], trying to apply the new connotations of the runes. [[Pipe]] has a disturbing dream: the [[Weirdstone]] shatters and [[Elena]] blames him, shouting that he’s hiding things and demanding answers about why he and his book are being hunted. [[Pipe]] wakes early, steps into the night air, and finds [[Elena]] on watch — the [[Weirdstone]] still humming and floating as it was before. [[Elena]] is surprised to see him awake. [[Pipe]] tells her he had a bad dream and it felt very real. [[Pipe]] takes over watch while [[Elena]] sleeps. He sits pondering the nature of the stone: it protects them from some mental intrusions, but perhaps not within dreams. His watch ends and he wakes [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]], who is surprised to be woken by him rather than [[Elena]]. Mealla’s bees seem concerned by her strong emotions; she tries to calm them and reassure them. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] hands over to [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]], and [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] wakes the group to begin the next day’s travel — and to decide where they will go next. ## Session End State > [!success]- Where Things Stand > - [[Borron]] says things are well here, but he still praises the old ways. > - Leaving The [[Hound & Hearth]], they cross toward the heart of the settlement and pass a small market green still trading in produce. > - [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] casts Command, stopping him briefly — but seconds later the man returns to the macabre task. > - [[Elena]] asks Kelros if he can help her speak with “this god.” Kelros says he can take her — but instead of walking away from town, he heads back into it. > - [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] listens but remains conflicted — he wants to help people he meets, to do right by them. ## Session Gallery > [!note]- Additional Artwork > ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Characters/Aron Yadellson.jpg|780]] [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 16 - Dream a Little Dream of Me|← Session 16]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/01 - Sessions/Session 18 - Freeing Voran's Well|Session 18 →]]