# 2. Session Two — Thornhollow **In-game start:** Spring 65 [[The Rose of Igoda/01 - Sessions/Session 01 - The Child in the Cage|← Session 01]] · [[The Rose of Igoda/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[The Rose of Igoda/01 - Sessions/Session 03 - Beneath Hy-Soran|Session 03 →]] ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Scenes/Session 02/Thornhollow.jpg|780]] > [!abstract]+ TL;DR > - **Rose, the Horse and the Carriage:** She was still playing make-believe as **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Princess Lily]]**, though she briefly muddled the name and called [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] “Princess [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]].” [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] corrected her gently. > - **Arrival at Thornhollow:** There was no dominant race, no obvious local bloodline or cultural majority. > - **The Red Willow Tavern:** He had thick black hair and a beard like a lion’s mane, huge horns protruding forward, faintly glowing eyes, and an apron stretched across his enormous frame. > - **Rose the Tavern Assistant:** It was a small moment, but another glimpse into [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s life before the party found her. > - **Rose Overwhelmed:** [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] helped gather coins as [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s assistant, but as the night grew louder and the tavern more crowded, she became uneasy. > - **Rose and Washing:** [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] went to fetch water and a basin, leaving [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. > - **The Theory of the Popping:** The party explained that they had come seeking help with the “[[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]].” > - **Rose Revealed:** [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] explained that [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could now pop at will, but did not know where she went and could not properly control how to return. > [!star]- Memorable Moments > - 😂 **Cute — Rose / Tilly:** Rose is deep into playing **Princess Lily**, briefly muddles the game and calls Tilly **“Princess Tilly”** before being gently corrected. > - 😂 **Drunk — Agaricus:** Agaricus reaches roughly twelve drinks, finally has to stagger outside and only just avoids being sick on Tilly’s floor. > - 🔥 **Savage — Votoran / Sevril:** Sevril talks down to the party as “less intelligent folk”; Votoran points out that if he and all his clever colleagues could solve the problem themselves, they would not currently be asking those same people for help. > - ❤️ **Heartfelt — Votoran / Rose:** Trying to explain what they are searching for, Votoran gives Rose the gentlest version of the truth: **home is not always just a place.** > - 😬 **Tension — Agaricus / Asher:** Agaricus jokes about reclaiming Asher’s ship and becoming captain; Asher’s hand tightens around his blade enough to make clear that the Crimson Leviathan is not a light subject. ## Session Notes ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]]’s Dream During the night, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]]’s mind returned to a recurring dream. He stood aboard **the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Crimson Leviathan|Crimson Leviathan]]**, with the smell of sea salt in his nostrils and the wind on his skin. A magnificent sunset was nearly gone, sinking beneath the horizon as dark storm clouds rolled overhead. Rain fell gently. A storm was coming. There, on the side of the ship, stood **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Captain Varro|Captain Varro]]**. His back was turned. He was singing. Though [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Captain Varro|Varro]] stood alone, it sounded as though seven voices sang at once, each carrying different harmonies and parts of the same song. *I told you of your duty. I told you of the sea. But did I ever tell you what you truly mean to me?* The tune repeated over and over. It was simple. Poetic. There was no hidden meaning. No trick. No secret code. Just feeling. Then [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Captain Varro|Varro]] turned. His stomach had been opened by a clean slice, blood flowing freely from the wound. Yet he showed no pain, no panic and no distress. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] felt the familiar wince. Then the familiar anger. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Captain Varro|Varro]] walked towards him with a thin, fond smile. He placed a hand beneath [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]]’s chin and lifted his face so they looked directly into each other’s eyes. Then he released him and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. As he always did, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Captain Varro|Varro]] asked: “Well, boy. Are you going to make things right?” [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] answered as he always did. “Aye.” Thunder cracked. Lightning split the dream. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] woke with sweat beading on him, just before dawn. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] Returns to the Ruins No formal watch had been set. With the others still asleep, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] quietly rose and left camp. He headed back towards the ruins of the mansion where he had been staying before the storm dragged him away. It took him time to reach the site, but he knew the way. There, he found the old burned foundations of the mansion. He had already searched the place before and found little of use, so he gathered his tent and belongings, then sat for a while among the ruins. He contemplated his mission. There were people nearby who potentially needed help. But he also had his own job to do. Eventually, he returned towards the others. Before he reached them by foot, the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping phenomenon]] took him again. With a sudden soft pop, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] appeared back among the group just as they were waking and packing. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] asked where he had gone. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] explained that he had retrieved his tent and belongings. The others had thought, for a moment, that he had left them. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], the Horse and the Carriage [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] woke well-rested, perhaps having had the best sleep she had known since her rescue. She was still playing make-believe as **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Princess Lily]]**, though she briefly muddled the name and called [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] “Princess [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]].” [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] corrected her gently. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] wanted [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] to be her horse again. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] agreed on one condition: no hitting, and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could use [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]]’s hair as reins only if she did not pull too hard. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] accepted this with solemn seriousness, though she soon forgot herself and tugged anyway. As they travelled, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] perched on [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]]’s shoulders and began sharing more fragments of memory. She said she had seen white horses. They pulled a box with big wheels. A carriage. When asked if she had been in one, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] said an **ambassador** had taken her on a trip. The ambassador had taken her from the castle to a “new home.” The party tried to connect this with the ambassador present at the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Bardic Circle|Bardic Circle]] event, but [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could not make that connection. She was too young, too confused, or too traumatised to put the pieces together. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] tried to explain that “home” was not always just a place. Sometimes it was about how you felt. Somewhere you felt safe. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] thought about that for a long moment. Then she smiled. For the first time, perhaps, the idea seemed to land. ### [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Seris Thorne's Mansion|The Burned Mansion]] of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]] As the party travelled southeast towards the hamlet they had seen in the distance, they passed the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Seris Thorne's Mansion|burned mansion]] where [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] had been investigating. Only the foundations remained. The structure had once been large and impressive, but it had clearly burned down years ago. It was not a recent ruin. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] revealed that the mansion had belonged to **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]]**, an elf and one of the mutineers from his ship, **the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Crimson Leviathan|Crimson Leviathan]]**. She had been one of the instigators. The others questioned him. Was the mutiny against him? Against his captain? Was it over gold? Jewels? Rum? Treasure? The ship itself? [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] remained guarded, but more emerged. [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Crimson Leviathan|The Crimson Leviathan]] had sailed the **Pax Oceana**. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]] and others had mutinied. Afterwards, she apparently built the mansion quickly, possibly using stolen wealth from the mutiny. Locals said the mansion had burned around three years ago. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] clarified that he was not a pirate. He was a privateer. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]], naturally, was not especially impressed by the distinction. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] made clear that his purpose was not simply reclaiming a ship. When [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] joked about getting his ship back and becoming captain, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] gripped his blade. “It’s not about the ship.” Whatever happened aboard the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Crimson Leviathan|Crimson Leviathan]] had left deep wounds. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]] was only one piece of it. ### The Red Glow Beneath [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]] As they continued, the party discussed the red glow beneath [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]]. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] knew the lake and the surrounding region better than the others. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]] was a vast crater lake formed during **[[World of Tarin/05 - History & Events/The Breaking|the Breaking]]**, and the red glow beneath its surface had always been there. Locals did not necessarily fear it as a curse, but they avoided it. Outsiders told stories about it: dragons beneath the water, strange powers, old dangers. People had tried to reach the glow before. Everyone had failed. To [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]]’ people, the red glow was best left alone. It had never harmed them, so they saw no reason to bother it. But now the storm had struck it directly. And after that, reality had begun to tear and fold. Something had changed. ### Arrival at [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] By early afternoon, the party reached a small hamlet called **[[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]**. It had perhaps thirty or forty houses scattered across the landscape, with no formal perimeter, no walls, and little in the way of proper roads beyond trodden paths. There were small crop-growing areas, a dock by the lake, and fishing gear, though there were no boats visible. At the centre of the hamlet stood a large tree. It looked out of place. Not corrupted, not ugly, but different. It did not belong among the surrounding trees, and yet somehow felt central to the hamlet’s identity. The people were equally unusual. There was no dominant race, no obvious local bloodline or cultural majority. Humans, orcs, dragonborn, goliaths and others seemed to live side by side. The locals looked at the party with surprise, but not fear. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] did not feel like a normal village. It felt like a collection of people who had all washed up in the same place. A little haven for those who did not belong elsewhere. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa Redwillow]] ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Characters/NPCs/Cassa Redwillow.jpeg|780]] The party was approached by an older woman with brilliant grey hair, warm tanned skin, sparkling earrings and a distinctive wizard-like hat. She introduced herself as **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa Redwillow]]**, mayor of [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]. Her gaze was intense, as if she could see more than surface appearances, but her manner was welcoming. She had the air of an old adventurer: rough, warm, strange and far too comfortable with danger. When [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] noticed [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] became shy and hid behind the others. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] did not press. She explained that she had once been an adventurer and had formed [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] herself. She described the hamlet almost as a family, a place where she collected unique individuals because everyone else was boring. The [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping phenomenon]] had reached [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] too. People had appeared and vanished throughout the night, and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] seemed less frightened than delighted. She had tried to talk to some of them, though they rarely stayed long enough. She offered the party information, rest and resupply. There was a tavern. There was a shop. And there was a mage who lived in the grander house outside the settlement. His name was **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]**. ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Characters/NPCs/Sevril Yunis.jpg|780]] [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] described him as a powerful mage, some kind of magic big-shot, but also arrogant and prickly. She admitted he caused no real trouble, but also made it clear she would quite enjoy walloping him if given the chance. Wizards, she said, always thought they had one over you. The key was deception. Get close enough, and suddenly they could not concentrate. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]]’s Questions for [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] As the others moved towards the tavern, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] lingered to ask [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] about the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Seris Thorne's Mansion|burned mansion]]. He asked whether she knew anyone who had been in the area around three years ago, specifically someone connected to the mansion. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] recognised the place. It had belonged to **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]]**. She described [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]] as wealthy, reclusive and separate from the people of [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]. She had brought her own people, had the mansion built quickly, and rarely came into the hamlet. Supplies were brought to her rather than purchased locally. The last anyone had seen of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]] was around the time of the fire. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] did not have much more information. If [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] had hoped the hamlet held easy answers, it did not. But [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]]’s name was known here. That was something. ### [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]] Tavern ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Characters/NPCs/Trekor Loranian.jpeg|780]] The party made their way to the local tavern: **[[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]]**. It was small, humble and far inferior to the taverns [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] knew. Inside, the first thing they saw was a hulking minotaur behind the bar. This was **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]]**. He had thick black hair and a beard like a lion’s mane, huge horns protruding forward, faintly glowing eyes, and an apron stretched across his enormous frame. His hands were hard-worked, and his presence was naturally intimidating. But he clearly knew that. When the party entered, he tried to soften himself, offering a loud but awkward welcome. “Newbies, what can I get ya?” [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] immediately judged the state of the tavern. It was quiet, dusty and lifeless. There were only a few tables and no real atmosphere. She told [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] that he was scaring off his customers and that the place needed a proper tavern maid. To [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]], taverns were not just businesses. They were the heart of a community. Seeing one neglected clearly struck a nerve. She offered [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] a deal. She would work the tavern for one evening. If she made more money in one night than he had made in the last week, the party would receive free room, board and drinks. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] agreed. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] took over. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] Takes Charge [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] put on a comically oversized apron, folded it down to fit, and began working. She cleaned the bar, swept the floor, washed glasses, opened windows, let in fresh air and light, and rearranged tables to create room for performance later in the evening. Being back in a tavern was therapeutic for her. After days of fear, hunger, flight and uncertainty, she was doing something she understood. Something familiar. Something she was good at. The tavern itself was decorated with old adventuring memorabilia: strange items, pictures of misty mountains, a feather with an eye imprinted on it, and other keepsakes connected to [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa Redwillow]]’s past. It became clear that [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]] was not just a tavern. It was part of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]]’s story. Part of the strange community she had built. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] the Tavern Assistant [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] joined in as [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s little helper. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] gave her plates to carry, bread and cheese to deliver, and small tasks around the tavern. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] was thrilled, though not especially graceful. She dropped food, spilled drink over herself, and carried on as if nothing had gone wrong. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] noted that this was not very princessy behaviour. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] adjusted the game. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] was now **Tavern Assistant Lily**. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] told her that tavern girls had to be good at singing and asked if she wanted to help with the music later. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] became conflicted. She said she had not been allowed to sing. They had told her off. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] reassured her. No one here would tell her off for singing. She could join in if she wanted, or just watch. It was a small moment, but another glimpse into [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s life before the party found her. Even joy had rules. Even singing had been forbidden. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] Outside While [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] worked, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] sat outside the tavern, listening and watching the hamlet. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] began throwing small bits of paper or rubbish at him to get his attention. When he turned, she asked what he was doing. He told her he was listening. She asked if he liked being outside. He said he did. She asked if he wanted her outside. He said she could stay if she wanted. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] sat beside him for a while, swinging her legs. They did not speak much at first, but eventually she asked if he was sad. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] admitted he should be somewhere else, though he did not know where. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] asked how he would know when he got there. He admitted he did not really know that either. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] found this confusing. So did [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]]. Then she decided to go back inside and make [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s newly cleaned tavern dirty again. ### The Tavern Fills As evening approached, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] began performing. Music drew people in. The first notable arrival was **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]]**, an old, grumpy orc with a balding head, a shock of mohawk, an ageing beard and an expression that suggested he disapproved of everything. He ordered **moss milk**, a local drink made from fermented moss mixed with honeydew, apparently discovered by [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]] in her travels. ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Characters/NPCs/Pockle.jpg|780]] More patrons followed. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]] began to fill. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] sang, played and moved through the room, drawing people into the performance. The crowd joined in with familiar songs, drank heavily, danced and laughed. The atmosphere transformed. The tavern came alive. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] whispered to the others that this was a good chance to gather information. Loose tongues remembered more. ### The People of [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] As the evening progressed, it became clearer who [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]’s people were. They were not simply villagers. Many were former adventurers. Some had retired. Some were injured. Some were too old to continue. Some had simply reached the point where the life could no longer be lived safely. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] explained that people ended up here when they could no longer carry on with danger, travel and violence. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] was [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa]]’s collection. A place for those who once had stories, and perhaps still needed to hear them. That explained the tavern’s mood. Raucous songs entertained them, but what they truly wanted were tales of adventure. So [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] shifted her performance. She sang more epic stories: of **Becklin the Knight**, **Cudgel the dwarf**, and **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Ispin Greenshield|Ispin Greenshield]]**. The crowd responded powerfully. When she sang of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Ispin Greenshield|Ispin]], the room grew especially focused. The patrons seemed to recognise the name not as some distant legend, but as someone they knew of personally. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] could feel it. They knew him. At the climax of the song, the crowd erupted. Silver and gold were thrown her way. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] had more than earned the party’s stay. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] Overwhelmed [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] helped gather coins as [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s assistant, but as the night grew louder and the tavern more crowded, she became uneasy. This was not ordinary shyness. The noise, movement and attention started to overwhelm her. She liked the stories, especially the cursed ones and the grumpy characters, but the sheer intensity of the room became too much. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] noticed and did not force her to continue. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] had enjoyed the work. But she was still a child recovering from captivity, fear and control. There was only so much noise and joy she could carry at once. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] spent much of the evening drinking with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]]. The two formed a strange, drunken friendship. They drank moss milk heavily, and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] remained impressively grumpy regardless of how much he consumed. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] eventually drew a symbol in the dirt: a cube or square with a question mark. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] recognised it. The symbol was tied to **[[World of Tarin/04 - Gods, Faiths & Cosmology/01 - Gods & Divine Entities/Zxella|Zxella]]**, an ancient pagan god from before [[World of Tarin/05 - History & Events/The Breaking|the Breaking]]. [[World of Tarin/04 - Gods, Faiths & Cosmology/01 - Gods & Divine Entities/Zxella|Zxella]] was associated with knowledge, certainty, truth, questions and seeking answers. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] described him as an old god, but said there was likely no power there now. The gods who held power were those with worship. Without worship, what power could an old forgotten god have? [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] revealed only part of why he cared. He was seeking marauders who had destroyed everything he had. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Pockle|Pockle]] suggested that if the symbol was about knowledge and answers, perhaps whoever used it had something they wanted answered. The drinking continued. By the end of it, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] was heavily drunk, about twelve drinks deep, and eventually had to go outside before he was sick on [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s floor. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] While [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] performed and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] drank, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] spoke with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] at the bar. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] became awkward around her, looking away whenever she caught his eye. He did not seem used to affection or romantic attention, and every attempt to act casual only made him more obvious. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] asked him about [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]], the wizard on the hill. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] described him as smart but aloof. Not really his kind of person. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] mostly kept to himself and caused little trouble, but [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] believed he had been sent to [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] as some kind of punishment. The mage was arrogant, but useful. Smart. Possibly able to help. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] also told [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]], in broad terms, that they had rescued [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] from a dangerous situation and needed to keep her safe. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] seemed to properly notice [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] then, and softened. He offered rooms for the night and led them upstairs. When he addressed [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], he gave a surprisingly formal bow, hinting at a possible past around courts, soldiers or formal service. Later, with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]’s encouragement, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] shared an awkward but sweet dance. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] was terrified and flustered, but clearly happy. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] played something rhythmic and simple, letting them move carefully in time. For [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]], it seemed to be a quiet personal victory. ### The Night at [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]] By around midnight, the tavern began to empty. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] thanked [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]]. She had done exactly what she promised. She had brought the tavern back to life. He gave the party free rooms. There were enough rooms for the group to split up. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]], [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] shared one room. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] took separate rooms. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]], drunk and emotionally raw, sat alone in his room and quietly cried, remembering things from his past before eventually slipping into trance. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] sat on his bed, opening and closing his broken compass, watching the needle spin and thinking. In their room, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] whispered while [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] slept. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] shared that the patrons had reacted strongly to [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Ispin Greenshield|Ispin]]’s name, as though they knew him. She also noted that the people of [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] treated the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping phenomenon]] almost like entertainment. Strange things were exciting to them. They missed adventure, danger and novelty. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] explained that [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] thought [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] was smart, arrogant and possibly punished or exiled. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] agreed that speaking to him seemed worthwhile. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] bolted the door and positioned herself near [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s bed, ready to wake if anyone approached or if [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] moved. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] told her she did not always have to be the one sleeping on the floor or keeping watch. They could take turns. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] also spoke a little more about herself. She had not been home for a long time. She had lived between ports and filled in on ships, because ships always needed a cleric. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] asked if it was lonely. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] said it could be, but she rubbed shoulders well enough with most people. During the night, the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] continued in smaller bursts. A squirrel appeared. A frog appeared and flopped around on the floor. At one point, a woman appeared in the other bed in a very private and compromising state, saw them, began to scream, and vanished before the scream fully left her mouth. Aside from these strange intrusions, the night passed safely. ### [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Beacon|The Beacon]] In the morning, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] woke first and went outside to look over the lake, playing his flute. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] woke with a fierce headache from the previous night’s drinking. He left the tavern and went to inspect the strange tree at the centre of [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]. There was a carving in the tree. **[[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Beacon|The Beacon]].** The carving was old. Standing back and truly observing the tree, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] understood something about it. The tree was different. It did not belong among the other trees. It was unique, strange, out of place. And yet it felt right here. It was an analogy for [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] itself. A place filled with people who did not really belong anywhere else. A place for ex-adventurers, misfits, oddities and people who had survived too much to return to ordinary life. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Beacon|The Beacon]] may have been what first drew [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Cassa Redwillow|Cassa Redwillow]] to this place. A marker. A symbol. A gathering point for those with nowhere else to go. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] and Washing That morning, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] suggested that everyone should have a wash. They had been travelling for days, and it was not right for any of them to go around stinking. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s reaction was immediate and frightening. She snapped into a rigid posture, instantly still, as though obeying a forced routine. She began to prepare herself not like a child being asked to wash, but like someone who had been trained to expect something. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] told her to wait. They did not even have water ready. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] looked confused. This was not how washing was supposed to happen. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] went to fetch water and a basin, leaving [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] sat with her and tried to explain that washing could be something nice. Something a person did for themselves, to feel better. It did not have to be something forced. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] became increasingly confused and emotional. She said she **had to be washed**. She did not seem to understand the idea of washing herself, or choosing whether she wanted it. To [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], washing was something done to her. Something regimented. Something required. When [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] told her that if she did not want to, she did not have to, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could not process it. Then she ran downstairs. When [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] returned and saw [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] gone, she asked what had happened. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] explained. The implication was disturbing. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] had not simply been kept in a cage. She had been controlled. Regimented. Handled. Washed by others. Conditioned to obey routines without choice. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] was furious. She wondered what the [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Wilhelm Yen|Maestro]] and the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Bardic Circle|Bardic Circle]] had done to her. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] did not speculate too far, but stated the simple truth. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] had been in a cage. That alone said enough. ### Breakfast and the Plan The party gathered downstairs for breakfast. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Trekor Loranian|Trekor]] brought bread, cheese and other simple food, slamming it down with his usual heavy presence while trying to be welcoming. The group discussed the day’s plan. The [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] had not stopped completely, but it seemed to be fading. There were fewer incidents than before, and the first chaotic surge had passed. Still, the phenomenon remained dangerous. They needed to know what had happened. They decided to visit [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]], the mage who lived near the lake. The hope was that he could explain the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]], the storm, the red glow, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s abilities, or perhaps even something about her origin. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], meanwhile, shifted into another make-believe identity: something like [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Fairy Lily]], pretending to have wings and be magical. She skipped about, enjoying the game, while the adults quietly discussed how badly she had been treated. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] made clear that she wanted to get to the bottom of what had happened to [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. If it meant eventually going back to [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Berran|Berran]] to bring the [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Wilhelm Yen|Maestro]] down, she would. But for now, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] reminded her that keeping [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] safe meant moving in the opposite direction. ### The Question of Staying Together Before leaving, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] raised a hard question with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]]. What exactly were they doing? [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] needed a long-term plan for [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] was not simply going to abandon the child. She wanted to find [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s family, or at least somewhere safe and loving where [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could grow up. She had a home in **New Haven**, but she knew taverns were no place for a child. She had grown up in one herself. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] admitted he was looking for clues. His mission was still one of revenge, or at least justice, against those connected to the mutiny. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]]’ goal seemed similarly grim: finding those who had destroyed everything he had. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] pointed out that a traumatised child did not need to be surrounded by people set on murderous revenge and death. She was not accusing them of wanting to hurt [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] physically. But [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] was already beginning to like them. If they were going to leave, they should leave. They should not bond with her and then break her heart again. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] had already been through enough. ### [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Ever Ready|The Ever Ready]] ![[The Rose of Igoda/99 - Attachments/Characters/NPCs/Tenix Udovarax.jpeg|780]] Before visiting [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]], the party went to the local shop: **[[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Ever Ready|The Ever Ready]]**. The shop was small, intimate and beautifully arranged, like an independent florist whose owner loved every inch of the place. Inside was a tall, slim dragonborn woman with vivid bright skin and piercing yellow eyes. She stood cross-armed, radiating hostility, but with a smirk that suggested some of it was performance. She was sharp, professional and clearly bored by ordinary customers. The party asked for basic travelling supplies: rations, waterskins, a tent, lantern, bedroll, rope and other essentials. The shopkeeper visibly deflated at how boring the request was, but produced the goods. When they asked about more interesting items, she brightened and brought out more unusual stock: - healing potions; - invisibility potions; - a bone flute; - a traveller’s cloak; - a strange magical hat with a wide brim and feather, useful for getting a jump in dangerous situations; - and **lantern moth oil**, which could reveal hidden or invisible creatures within twenty feet for a short time. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] purchased a lesser healing potion at a steep discount, paying ten gold for something usually worth far more. The group also bought a cloak for [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]], sized more for a halfling or dwarf than a child, but good enough to keep her warmer and drier. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] showed the shopkeeper a strange golden coin marked with a diamond shape and circle. She examined it carefully, searching through memories of lands, peoples and cultures, but did not recognise it. She promised to keep an eye out. The party left with supplies, having spent a modest sum, and headed for [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]’s house. ### [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Sevril's House|Sevril’s House]] [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]’s house stood apart from [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]] near the lake. It was grander than the other buildings, with two levels, stonework, ornate flourishes and a heavy wooden door. It was not truly noble, but it clearly belonged to someone with comfort, wealth or ego. The party knocked. No answer. They waited. Knocked again. Still nothing. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] circled the house and saw comfortable living quarters inside, including a fireplace and fine furnishings, but no obvious sign of anyone. Then they heard an enormous splash from the lake. A man emerged from the water, absolutely soaking wet and cursing loudly enough to make [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] cover [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s ears. He wore fine robes and a strange belt. As he walked up from the lake, still swearing, he noticed the party at his door. He paused. Then closed his eyes. All the water stripped away from him at once, leaving him dry and composed. This was **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]**. He asked if he could help them, then pushed between them, unlocked his door, and walked inside, leaving it ajar as if expecting them to follow. Inside, he poured himself a drink and sat at his desk. When [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] moved with a hand near his sword, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] calmly told him he would not need it. If he did, they would already be dead. ### The Theory of the Popping The party explained that they had come seeking help with the “[[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]].” [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] called them **transitional**. He had a theory. He pointed out across the lake towards the red glow beneath [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]]. That, he explained, was something special. His order believed the glow came from **[[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] crystals** beneath the lake. These crystals lay below the surface, protected by unnatural mist and a violent [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Underwater Vortex|underwater vortex]]. His order had tried to harvest them for a long time, but no one had succeeded. Magic was difficult underwater. The protections were too strong. The site had become a failure. A punishment. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] had been sent there because his order knew the task was near impossible. His job was to retrieve what no one could retrieve. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]], to him, was effectively a prison. But then the cosmic storm struck. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] believed the lightning had penetrated the protections around the [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] and caused the crystals to flare. More importantly, he believed the storm may have broken fragments loose. For the first time, pieces of the [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] might be reachable. If the party helped him recover even one fragment, he could send it to his colleague in the city for confirmation. If confirmed, his punishment posting would end. He could finally leave. In exchange, he could help them understand the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] and perhaps stop it. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] Pushes Back [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] was arrogant, dismissive and plainly unimpressed by the party. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] pushed back, pointing out that if [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] and all his clever colleagues could not retrieve the crystals, then perhaps he should not talk down to the “less intelligent folk” whose help he now needed. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] also asked why, if [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] was so wise, he had not already found someone else to do the job. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] adjusted. He became more direct. He needed someone nimble. With water breathing, weights and survival skill, someone might reach the bottom and grab the fragments. The vortex and mist made it too dangerous and too difficult for him to do alone. Their goals aligned. He wanted the crystals. They wanted answers. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] Revealed [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] was not especially interested in the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] for its own sake. She cared about [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. Before telling [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] more, she asked who he was and why they should trust him. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] introduced himself fully as **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril Yunis]]**, a distinguished mage of the **[[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Universal Order|Universal Order]]**. He insisted he had nothing to prove, but after some pressure, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] explained the situation. She and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] had taken a job in [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Berran|Berran]] to steal what they believed was a gem from the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Bardic Circle|Bardic Circle]]. Instead, they found [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] locked in a cage. They freed her. They had been on the run ever since. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] explained that [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] could now pop at will, but did not know where she went and could not properly control how to return. She also explained [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s fragmented memories: a castle, an ambassador, a carriage, and being taken to a new home. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] realised what they were. They were the ones from the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Berran|Berran]] incident. He knew that the guards had been alerted. The story travelling outward was that kidnappers had taken a child. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] knew the truth was more complicated. From the city’s view, they had stolen [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. From their view, they had rescued her. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] seemed amused by the chaos. He also mentioned an ambassador named **[[World of Tarin/02 - Places/01 - Nations & Regions/Elaris|Elaris]]**, potentially connected to the matter of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] being taken. ### [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]’s Warning [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] did not know why [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] had been kept in a cage. He pointed out that her [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] only seemed to have begun after the storm, meaning it may not have been the original reason she was held. That raised the old question again. If the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] was new, what made [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] valuable before? Why had the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Bardic Circle|Bardic Circle]] wanted her? What had they been doing to her? [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] admitted one thing plainly: he did not want to become one of his order’s experiments. He knew people in the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Universal Order|Universal Order]] who performed that kind of work. He knew what could happen to unusual things, unusual people, and unusual magical states. He did not want to be a lab rat. Because [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] himself was also transitional, he was caught in the phenomenon too. That meant he had reason not to expose the party immediately. If his order learned too much, he might be studied along with the rest of them. He agreed not to speak of [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] being there. But he wanted help retrieving [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]]. ### [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]], the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Universal Order|Universal Order]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Niamh|Niamh]] [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] explained more about his order. The **[[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Universal Order|Universal Order]]** had been harvesting [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] crystals from crater sites connected to [[World of Tarin/05 - History & Events/The Breaking|the Breaking]]. The crystals were valuable, powerful and central to the order’s ambitions. Their leader, **[[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Niamh|Niamh]]**, had been conducting experiments with [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]]. [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]] had always eluded them. The crystals beneath the lake could not be reached, and so [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]]’s posting there had become a punishment — an impossible task designed to trap him. Now the storm had changed that. The [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] beneath the red glow may have fractured. If the party retrieved a fragment, [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] could confirm his theory, gain favour, and escape [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]. He admitted there was a catch of sorts: if he were not transitional himself, greed or favour might tempt him to betray them. But because he was caught in the same phenomenon, betrayal would risk exposing himself too. For now, mutual self-interest protected them. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] agreed to help retrieve the fragments. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] agreed on one condition: [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] had to help [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. The deal was uneasy. But it was a way forward. ## Supporting Notes > [!question]- Mysteries / Open Questions > - What exactly is [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]? > - Why was [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] taken from a castle to a “new home”? > - Who was the ambassador who transported [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]? > - Is the ambassador [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/01 - Nations & Regions/Elaris|Elaris]]? > - Why did the [[World of Tarin/03 - Factions & Organisations/The Bardic Circle|Bardic Circle]] keep [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] in a cage? > - What was done to [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]] while she was captive? > - Why was she forbidden from singing? > - Why was washing such a forced and frightening routine for her? > - If [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]’s [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]] only began after the storm, why was she valuable before? > - Can [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] actually help [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]? > - Can [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] be trusted? > - What are [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] crystals capable of? > - Why is [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] found at crater sites from [[World of Tarin/05 - History & Events/The Breaking|the Breaking]]? > - What is [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Niamh|Niamh]] doing with [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]] experiments? ## Session End State > [!success]- Where Things Stand > - By the end of the session, the party had found temporary safety in [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Thornhollow|Thornhollow]]. > - They had gained food, supplies, rest and local goodwill. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Tilly|Tilly]] had restored life to [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Red Willow|The Red Willow]] for a night. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Votoran|Votoran]] had deepened her protective bond with [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Rose|Rose]]. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Asher|Asher]] had revealed more of his connection to the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Crimson Leviathan|Crimson Leviathan]] and [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Seris Thorne|Seris Thorne]]. [[World of Tarin/01 - People/01 - Player Characters/The Rose of Igoda/Agaricus|Agaricus]] had uncovered the name [[World of Tarin/04 - Gods, Faiths & Cosmology/01 - Gods & Divine Entities/Zxella|Zxella]] and recognised the [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Beacon|Beacon]]’s meaning. > - Most importantly, they had met [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril Yunis]]. > - [[World of Tarin/01 - People/02 - Non-Player Characters/Sevril Yunis|Sevril]] believes the red glow beneath [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/Hy-Soran|Hy-Soran]] is [[World of Tarin/06 - Items & Artifacts/Aetherite|Aetherite]], and that the storm has broken fragments loose beneath the lake. He wants the party to retrieve those fragments from the dangerous [[World of Tarin/02 - Places/02 - Locations/The Underwater Vortex|underwater vortex]]. > - In return, he claims he can help them understand and perhaps stop the [[World of Tarin/08 - Threats & Phenomena/The Popping|popping]]. > - The party still does not know whether they can trust him. [[The Rose of Igoda/01 - Sessions/Session 01 - The Child in the Cage|← Session 01]] · [[The Rose of Igoda/00 - Campaign Overview/Campaign Overview|Campaign Hub]] · [[The Rose of Igoda/01 - Sessions/Session 03 - Beneath Hy-Soran|Session 03 →]]