# Session 10 - Name **Played:** 4 June 2025 The session starts with the group standing in settling dust and debris having defeated the rock creatures that ambushed them. Will gets to his feet, clearly injured but still alive and eager to share his discomfort with anyone willing to listen. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] says "[[Serapha]], grant my allies this warmth" & casts forth a wave of healing energy that is gratefully received by the group. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] investigates the crate of alchemical vials and substances. She manages to spot an engraving on a shard of one of the rock creatures cores "V6.3A". She spots some chambers, micro piping, cogs and gears. She doesn't really understand what we're looking at. The group take an hour to recover and catch their breath before considering heading on. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] asks [[Elena]] if she can identify any of the vials in the crate, but she says not. She says she could detect magic on them, but [[Pipe]] would be the person to identify the alchemical substances as he seemed quite proficient with the green goo they had found previously. The group take some samples with Will particularly concerned over the vials leaking in his pockets and webbing his cock. The group press on and keep an eye out for further monsters or abnormalities as the day begins to draw to a close. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] keeps her eyes out for tracks and finds evidence of some deer nearby. Will approaches her and asks if he thinks it would be a good idea to proposition [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] before he joins [[The Brotherhood]], as like a one last fling. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] says she is very much not the person to speak to about romantic advice, but says that perhaps he should prepare himself for rejection. Will then asks [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] who slaps him on the back and eggs him on and casts guidance on him... Will approaches [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] and asks her out on a picnic. Says that he's never been on a picnic and that he guesses that she likes strawberries and that he will try and source some strawberries. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] fails to track the deer as the rain has been too heavy and has washed away some of the tracks and scent. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] asks [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] about whether he thinks it's a good idea to go on a picnic with Will. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] encourages her and says to go for some food with the lad. He says that he's probably going to die soon if he joins [[The Brotherhood]] and says that perhaps she could indulge him. The group press forwards as the sun sets and the dull glow of the moon and stars gently illuminate the pass. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] manages to find another good location to make camp in. [[Elena]] praises [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] for finding another good camp site and asks if Will is bothering her, because if he is, she will happily deal with him. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] says she is ok for now and goes off to help [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] with the food. ![[The Misty Peaks Polark Stars.jpeg|600]] ![[The Misty Peaks Mistrise Pass.jpg|600]] The group set up camp, place the [[Weirdstone]] down and following a fairly unsatisfactory evening meal, the group begin their rotation of watches. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] spends his watch trying to work the damage out of his sword. But no amount of grinding with a whetstone is enough to fix this damage. He then wakes up [[Elena]] who spends her watch reading [[The Final Journey]] and fussing over [[Myst]], speaking to him saying that "Perhaps it's nice for a change to have some travelling companions, rather than being alone". [[Myst]] cocks his head at this and lets out a soft caw. [[Elena]] wakes up [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] who also wakes Will and they begin their watch together. Will speaks with [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] about his advances on [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] and [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] advises him that [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] has led quite a sheltered life and that she may not realise that his advances are anything other than platonic friendship unless he specifically states otherwise. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] asks him if he's made any decisions as to what to do once he gets to [[Polark]]. He replies that he doesn't really see that he has much of a choice at this point, says he thinks he has to go ahead with his plan, although he does admit he doesn't really want to join them, particularly mourning the potential vow of celibacy he may have to take, when he has yet to lose his virginity. ![[The Misty Peaks Polark.jpeg|600]] ![[The Misty Peaks Polark Encounter.jpeg|600]] [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] wakes [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] and Will tries to give her an official watch update. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] watches the sun rise and then wakes the group for the day ahead. The day is clear, and mild and looks perfect for making good progress. The group pack up and head out, walking through the dense forest. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] suggests to [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] that perhaps they should not overly advertise their faith in the various New Gods, as this village is reportedly quite converted by [[The Brotherhood]] already. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] asks [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] whether she thinks this village may know something about her parents faith and circumstances. She is unconvinced. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] privately lifts up her sleeve and inspects her forearm, which is tattoo'd with binary dots and swirls / lines that run up the vein of her arm, with various depictions of floral / astrological flourishes. These are interrupted by binary dots. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] shows this to [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] and says that every birthday a tattoo artist would come round and add more ink to this tattoo. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] does not know what to make of this. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] explains that every year, one of her aunts / uncles would add to it, slowly making its way towards her heart. She doesn't fully understand it herself and doesn't know what to make of it. She wonders whether [[Elena]] or [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] would know more about it, but that she is nervous about showing it to other people. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] agrees that it's probably best to keep it under wraps around strangers but that as a group she believes that they would only want to protect her and that she feels they are both trustworthy. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] gestures [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] over and subtly shows him her forearm, revealing some of the tattoo to him. Unfortunately, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] has never seen anything like this and doesn't know what it means. [[Elena]] meanwhile, calls Will over and asks him to walk with her as she would like to have a word. He looks quite nervous, but [[Elena]] assures him she just wants to talk. She begins to ask him questions about [[Polark]] and what he knows about it, as the group have not been there before. Will reveals that he has not been there in several years himself, but that he does know a few things. [[Polark]] is also a logging town. [[Aldric]] is the mayor of [[Polark]]. There is a pub, and the locals are proud of their black ale. There was a little temple there, but he didn't know to which god it was dedicated to. He says his father used to take him there sometimes. He did not seem to be able to share much information that [[Enna]] had not already shared with the group. Before [[Elena]] allows him to go back to the others, she asks him about his intentions regarding [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]. He begins to give a metaphor about missed opportunities, using foxes hunting a rabbit. [[Elena]] does not take kindly to this as she does not like the analogy of [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] being prey that he is hunting. He very quickly looks to correct this mistake and assures her his intentions are pure. [[Elena]] informs him that she is quite fond of [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] and that although she is a capable young woman, she is also somewhat sheltered and naive to more worldly affairs and that if he hurts her, she will hurt him tenfold. She then dismisses him back to the others. As Will heads back to the group, suddenly a portal opens up behind the group as [[Pipe]] is thrown out of it and crashes into the back of [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]]. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] runs over and gives him a hug as [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] gives him back his belongings and informs him that he has been gone for days. [[Pipe]] finds this difficult to understand as for him, he has only been gone for 1 second. [[Pipe]] says he has seen images of this place, or at least reminds him of The [[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/05 - Nations & Regions/Astral Sea|Astral Sea]] but doesn't really understand the hows and whys of why he was returned to them and the discrepancy in time and space. He immediately begins to bring out his notes and thinks about how these creatures are alive. He begins to think that for this world, since the time of the breaking, it must only have been three days for the creatures that live there. [[Elena]] approaches [[Pipe]] and welcomes him back and says she is glad he is safe, but then berates and scolds him for once again being so stupid and careless and allowing this to happen. The group then catch him up with the last few days events, including the fight with the golems and the crate of alchemical substances. [[Pipe]] sits down with the girls as they describe and draw the creatures to him and something springs to mind for him. [[Arcturox]] in Southern [[Ovristan]], a rather secluded area that has been doing some research into arcana and technologies, including storing spells, arcana etc. They now seem to be creating devices that are powered by these stored spells. Meanwhile [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] is teaching Will some combat stances and practicing sparring with daggers. The group finally approach [[Polark]], an open village with no perimeter fence. Lots of single storey wooden buildings. Single track goes through the village and then forks as it leaves the village. A larger building is situated at the end, between the fork; the tavern that Will spoke of. The group chat quickly about their plans. They all agree that it would be sensible to head to the tavern to get some room and board for the night, but that perhaps it would be useful to also head to the temple, or speak with the mayor about goings on in town. As the group walk through the village, the townsfolk keep their heads down and appear to be quite browbeaten. Will spots some of the Monks ahead, and runs over to them. They appear to be wearing eye masks. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] feels that perhaps these robes share some similarity to robes that she has seen before in peeking into cultish rituals, but then realises that brown robes and brown robes. The group approach the tavern which is called [[The Mourning Pike]]. High ceilinged, giant fireplace with a pike mounted over the top of it. The layout appears to suggest that certain corners are used as meeting points. Appears to function as tavern / town hall / meeting place all in one. Stocky, balding, human male, greying around the edges behind the counter. Has the air of an ex soldier about him and introduces himself as [[Dars]]. The group ask him for some of his black ale that comes recommended. Ask about room and board, which he has. [[Pipe]] asks about sending a letter back to Spark and [[Dars]] says the [[Gilyen]] postal service does take mail from them, but it will take a while. The group purchase three rooms and breakfast for 2gp. Maria runs [[The Braided Satchel]] in town. There is no blacksmith, this is in [[Voran's Well|Voren's Well]]. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] speaks with [[Dars]] and enquires about rumours and local news. The barman replies that there have been a few children gone missing recently. Says [[The Brotherhood]] are helping trying to find the children and appear to be helping. Says three children have gone missing. It's been about a week and a half. Crops have been failing, marks have been appearing on doors. There was a temple in town, but this was smashed and destroyed. It was a temple to all faiths, and not manned by anyone in particular. He appears to be a bit wary of having too loose a tongue about local events and [[The Brotherhood]]. He busies himself with getting their food. As the group sit down to eat, the door to the tavern slams open and Will bursts in and shouts "STOP!" and runs over with a picnic basket and asks [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] to go on a picnic with him. She says yes, so [[Elena]] takes Persephone's plate and shares it between the rest of the group. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] connects with Mealla's mind and begins speaking to her mentally about what to do. The group discuss plans to speak with the mayor in the morning about the missing children and [[The Brotherhood]]. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] suggests that perhaps she could even pose as a potential new recruit to gather more information. They also agree to keep an eye on [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] via mental connection and [[Myst]] following her. Meanwhile, Will takes [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] out on an evening stroll to a hill nearby with the picnic and admits to her that he likes her. He asks if she would consider joining [[The Brotherhood]] with him so that they could keep seeing each other. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] says she does not want to tie herself down or be held back anymore. Says she was kept in a house for 18 years and wants to see the world and live more. She just wants to be free. She says if she is ever to enter into a romantic relationship with someone, it would be with someone that also wants to see the world, not someone that is about to join a cult. Will says that he's already signed up and joined them and has his own robes waiting. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] rejects Will and he takes this fairly well and says that at least he got to spend his last night with someone special. As the group begin to settle down for the evening, the group begin to hear murmurs and shouting as a crowd appear to be gathering outside in the village. They hear shouting of "GUILTY! FOR THE CRIMES OF WITCHCRAFT AGAINST THE TOWN OF POLARK". The group head out and follow the shouting to find a flat stone altar and a stake of wood surrounded by kindling. There appears to be a woman with long black hair tied to this stake with a sizeable crowd of people gathered around, around 60 people. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] marches forwards through the crowd. There is a sour faced elderly man in a cloak, addressing the crowd: "Oh mother, the sins of her have come to this place as they did [[Briar's Creek|Briar's Creek]]. The children, the children have gone. And WHY!? Because of them. We must preach to the old ways if they are to ever return. We must cleanse this place and the witchcraft that beguiles this humble settlement. And why? Because we did not follow what was before us. And will [[Serapha]] help us? Nay... We pray for forgiveness, but do they answer?" At this, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] casts light on his sword and holds it up in the air and announces his presence. The man asks [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] what he is doing here, and he says passing through, but seeing all the damage being done by his cult. The man continues to twist Raphius's words against him, accusing him of consorting with Goblins. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] speaks to the crowd and accuses this man of being a cult and lying to these people trying to indoctrinate these people. The man points to [[Elena]] and accuses her of being clothed in robes of death itself and asks if she brings more death to this village. He says they have a law, and that the law reins supreme here and asks if they do not respect it. [[Elena]] asked what the woman at the stake has done. "WITCHCRAFT!" is the response. [[Elena]] asks what she has done though, and is told she has gone against the old ways. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] speaks to him and asks who he is, and he replies that his name is Brother Merric. [[Pipe]] tries to cast a charm-person spell on him, but it unravels. ![[Merric Veil.jpeg|600]] Brother Merric looks at [[Elena]] and casts Dominate Person. The group watch as [[Elena]] unclasps her amulet of [[Nyxthys]] and walks after Brother Merric. [[Myst]] swoops down and begins harrying him, but is dispelled. The pyre is set alight and the woman begins to scream. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] tries to cast create water, but this is also dispelled and fizzles out. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] continues to try and reason with Brother Merric but it falls on deaf ears. As the group watch the woman burn, and some of the villagers begin to disperse, Brother Merric leads [[Elena]] out into the pine tree forest. He speaks to her, as she stands there impassively, internally screaming and railing against his control of her. He begins to question her asking her about what happened to the goblin. [[Elena]] replied that she had ripped out his liver. Brother Merric cackled and went on an insane rant about how the stick was better than the carrot and how the iron rule and using force to get what you want were at the heart of what it meant to worship the old ways. Fear and pain, these are friends. As he realises he is out of time and the spell is ending, he psychically strikes [[Elena]] down unconscious, but then heals her and brings her back, instructing her to strike him, saying that she is no one special. [[Elena]] gets to her feet, pulls out the amulet of [[Nyxthys]] from her pouch and reattaches it around her neck, before pulling out [[Spada]] and staring Brother Merric directly in his mad eyes and says that she is no one special, but who the fuck is he? As she swings her sword and delivers what should be a mighty blow, but doesn't seem to phase this mad monk all that much. Again and again, Brother Merric drops [[Elena]] unconscious and brings her back. However, clearly either running out of time or growing bored, he fells [[Elena]] a final time, and as she lies there, her consciousness fading, he pulls out a dagger & stabs [[Elena]] in the face multiple times killing her. Everything goes black and cold. [[Elena]] drifts in nothingness, holding a silver thread. She sees some familiar purple eyes and feels the presence of [[Nyxthys|The Dark Keeper]] drawing her into a warm embrace. She has no fear. This is what she wanted. She lets out a sigh and relaxes, embracing her destiny. However, suddenly the eyes disappear and she explodes with pain as Brother Merric revives her and brings her back to life, at the brink of death. She begins to open her eyes, but is hit unconscious again. In a state of drifting, she feels hands on her, stable but unconscious. Brother Merric lifts [[Elena]] 120ft into a pine tree and deposits her broken body amongst the branches, cackles then leaves. Switch back to Will and [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]. Suddenly a hood is pulled over her head as [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] is kidnapped. ## Session Ten - Condensed The group begins amidst the aftermath of a rocky ambush. Will is injured but alive; [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] heals the party. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] examines alchemical materials and discovers "V6.3A" etched into a core shard but can’t make sense of the tech. The group rests before continuing. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] queries [[Elena]] about the vials, but [[Elena]] suggests [[Pipe]] would understand them better. Will worries the vials will damage him physically and humorously complains. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] scouts but heavy rain hinders tracking. Will seeks romantic advice about asking [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] out before joining [[The Brotherhood]]. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] warns him about possible rejection; [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] supports the idea and magically guides him. Will invites [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] on a strawberry-themed picnic. Later, [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] asks [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] for advice—he encourages her to humor Will, considering his likely fate. That night, they camp. During watches, [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] tends his damaged sword, [[Elena]] reads and reflects on companionship, and [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] and Will discuss Persephone’s innocence and Will’s conflicted plans about joining the [[The Brotherhood|Brotherhood]]. [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] reveals a mysterious birthday-grown tattoo to [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] and [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]], unsure of its meaning. [[Mealla Glynn|Mealla]] encourages secrecy but trust in their group. [[Elena]] quizzes Will about [[Polark]] and his intentions toward [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]. He uses a misguided predator metaphor, prompting a stern warning from [[Elena]] not to hurt [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]]. Suddenly, [[Pipe]] reappears through a portal, confused—he’s been gone days for them but seconds for him. He theorizes time discrepancies and recognizes tech from [[Arcturox]], where spells are stored in devices. Arriving in [[Polark]], the group notices the town's fearful atmosphere. At [[The Mourning Pike]] tavern, they meet [[Dars]] and learn of recent child disappearances and a destroyed interfaith temple. [[The Brotherhood]] is already present and “helping.” Will dramatically invites [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] on a picnic, which she accepts. Later, he confesses his feelings and asks her to join [[The Brotherhood]]. She rejects both him and the idea, yearning for freedom and a wider world. As night falls, shouts ring out: a woman is to be executed for witchcraft. At the stake, the crowd is led by Brother Merric. [[Raphius Sunward|Raphius]] confronts him, but Merric manipulates the crowd and casts Dominate Person on [[Elena]]. [[Elena]], compelled, follows Merric. The pyre is lit, and the woman burns as attempts to save her fail. Merric interrogates and tortures [[Elena]], claiming pain and fear are the true paths. After killing her, he revives her repeatedly before finally hiding her battered body in a tree. Meanwhile, [[Persephone Amoransia Damnari|Persephone]] is suddenly kidnapped—her head bagged as the session ends in chaos. “I was not enough. I tried words, but no… I should have done more… He twisted everything i said. Masquerading tyranny as faith… Made this cruelty seem like justice… I will not fail again…where is [[Elena]]! ## Additional Session Artwork ![[Will Fletcher.jpeg|600]] ![[Lineage of the Veiled Kin/99 - Attachments/Locations & Shared Scenes/campfire.jpeg|600]] ![[The Misty Peaks Road.jpeg|600]]