#Arx Conversus

[rebbykins]

We start trying to figure out our story for the guard and trying to find a dude who could help vouch for our innocence.

DM: Erlen comes clap Aret on the shoulder Amir, Vuokko, Brirsayne ooc: Who? DM ooc: …Aimr. You should change your name.

Anyway, Erlen has a note from us from a Stone Guard saying the Flame Guard wants to interrogate us this evening. ((Who the heck is a Stone guard???))

We're gonna all go S H O P P I N G today it seems. Well, some of us.

Brirsayne and Vuokko go over Galahad Castle Garden. Vuokko has investigated them and knows they are common to her home, but nothing more. Bri goes to the castle and touches the gate, but nothing happens (it burned her hand last time). The two head down to outside the Charred Gates to the farming district. They go to where there used to be a house but find it burned to the ground. Bri and Amir had given a farmer money before but we find out he was likely raided and maybe killed.

Amir ooc: DM, why do you hate me? [[on the topic of the poor farmer]]

We keep going "who" whenever someone says Aret instead of Amir xD

Amir and The Carrier head to a jeweler's shop so Amir can get some daimond dust. The jeweler, a tiefling, wants 200 gold for diamond dust. The Carrier also hands off one of Vuokko's sling bullets to make sure nothing weird happens to them. When it doesn't disappear, he takes one of the Ruby star gems and gives it to Amir. He learns Star Rubies come in sets, they represent the eyes. The Carrier and Amir agree to trade both gems. Amir takes a look at his fancy items:

Divine Bracelet that casts Revivify Orcish coin that casts Dream Hellish symbol that casts Scorching Ray Gothic ring that casts Dispel Evil and Good Royal statue that casts Minor Illusion Ghoulish brooch that casts Teleport Astral necklace that casts Destructive Wave Pulsing shadow string of beads that casts Wish

Amir likes the Divine Bracelet and Ghoulish Brooch. The shop keeper offers the bracelet for an equal trade for the two gemstones, however the spell isn't rechargeable. In the end Amir decides to take the diamond dust, a whole diamond, and the rest in gold (aka a whole ass platinum bar). Jeweler's name is Velstraz's and he says if we ever are in "the city of sin" there is another shop… Shop keeper also nods at Carrier and says "and you kin, it was a pleasure doing business with you." ((Carrier is NOT a tiefling xDD))

Amir: You can see Aret-- The Carrier ooc: I don't know who that is. Amir ooc: Damnit! Doubt has been cast into my mind.

Amir and The Carrier meet with Brirsayne and Vuokko. Amir grabs the sides of Vuokko's head with his hands and he starts to cast Greater Restoration. We can hear the sound of laughter and carnival music, and when he pulls his hands away, there is purple hand prints on Vuokko's face. It did work though! She doesn't know about the hand prints and Bri used prestidigitation to hide them for now lol.

Vuokko: She's gonna hug Aret. The Carrier ooc: Who's that?

We find out we need to go to the fishery to meet with the Stone Guard. Bri and Vuokko are hanging back, but we have two way communication via The Carrier…only to Carrier. As Amir walks in, he feels himself get pulled by the scruff of his neck. The door slams shut before Carrier is pulled in.

Inside, a human is starring at Amir, having pushed him against the door and is holding a knife up to his throat. Human: You weren't followed, were you? Amir: Only my group, four of us. Human: Tell you group to back off. Amir: Tell them go to to the lumber yard, away from the fishery.---He tells them via the communication for us to go to the lumber yard. The human gets violent with Amir for using magic.

The group moves to the lumber yard. The human tells Amir he knows what we've been up to around the city but the higher ups have been watching us. He did good by getting the kids back and that's why the human is helping us. He says we're going to be walking into a trap and the guard wants to string us at least one of us if not all of us up to make a message to the people. The human guy said "you did good by her" and Amir tries to question it but gets no where.

Vuokko picks up a petrified stick to hopefully use as a focus.

Amir tells us about the trap, how there won't be an interrogation and just a fall guy. He says we need to keep together and Vuokko takes his hand. He takes side paths and alleyways to move around. We get back to the inn and Amir tells Vance about this.

Vance: I'll do it. I have a plan. The Carrier: Can you tell us? Vance: Nope. The Carrier: So it's not a good plan. Vance: It involves someone who doesn't like you all. Brirsayne: [gives a single jazz hand] Amir, getting it: Oh. … Vance: So that's plan A. I have to work out some details for plan B. Amir: And you're going to tell us these details when they come to fruition? Vance narrows his eyes: Sure.

His plan has us putting the mirror in the basement of the inn, hopping into it, and hanging out until we think it's safe. The Carrier has some kind of plan to convince the flame guard that killing Vance would be pretty bad for the city b/c there are people looking for him. He could be put into public exile instead of hanging him.

Vance asks us to pick something up from the black smith (his sword). He needs to have a conversation in private with someone before he can settle with things…huh.

Vance: If I die, Carrier divvy up my stuff. Amir isn't allowed to touch my alchemist kit. I don't trust him not to blow himself up. Vuokko nods in agreement. Vance: And you're number two on the list. Vuokko nods in agreement again.

Vance heads up to do his conversation and we break for the week.

[rebbykins]

the doll reminds Vuokko no one can interfere and snaps her scissors before she dances. Music starts. The doll starts dancing on her toes I roll a 3 in acrobatics (2+1) and Vuokko tries to copy it but falls flat on her knees and then her face. She missed (11 vs 12 AC) with her scissors, right by her head. The Doll does a little leap. Roll an 8 in acrobatics (7+1). Vuokko tries to copy but her ankles give out and she falls to her knees. 20 to hit and 5 damage, she snips Vuokko's shoulders. DM has me do an intelligence saving throw, 14. I'm fine.

Doll does a pirouette and Vuokko fails to copy it. (8 from performance). I take slashing 6 damage and have to roll. I roll a 7 in intel saving, and then roll 3d6 (14). Guess I'm okay?

Trying to copy again and I roll an 11 (DC was 12). Doll bent her knees and snips her scissors in the air. Vuokko tries to copy but when she reaches her arms up she loses her balance and falls on her butt.

Doll passes the scissors to Vuokko to spin on her wrist. I roll a 13, the DC was 14!!! Me: She stabs herself with the scissors. Do the damage. We still do a damage roll and it's 7, which is how much HP I have left. I do another intel saving through, 21.

As Vuokko is passing out, DM has me do a straight intel check and it was 8 at first, vs 11. I had a feeling something bad was gonna happen so I used my inspiration to reroll,a 14. ((I felt like something like body swapping was gonna happen!)) -------------------------------- WHY ARE MY (digital) DICE HATING ME TODAY?!? ---------------------------------

[Nameless] used cure wounds on me, taking me up to 13. The Ringmaster comes to collect his items. He snaps his fingers and Vuokko is naked. He says he will take back anything of Vuokko's if it comes back to her. [Nameless] gives his cloak to Vuokko to wrap herself in.

We get wrapped back with a group of children and a chest. [Nameless] talks to the oldest, the boy we were looking for. He gives each of the children gold, some for their family and some for the guard to help them home. The chest has a bunch of gold and a list of children who died (11 children) and could not be returned to their families.

Vance is able to get some extra clothes from the barkeep Erlen Rainshine. He brings back some leathers, Brirsayne offers to lend Vuokko some clothes. She accepts and they go upstairs to change.

[Nameless] returns the child to his mother. Vance talks to Erlen to keep the chest of gold in the basement.

[Nameless] talks to the tiefling women and asks if she knows his name. She doesn't and he says she can call him "Amir" (the name of his mentor!). She says his name will bring sunny days from now on to their lives. She hugs him and "Amir" openly weeps. The Carrier is there and also gets a hug. As The Carrier and "Amir" leave, he explains why the loss of his name matters less.

Amir sends a message to his sister about how his name is now Amir and she sends back a message about how they all love him.

While they are asleep, Vuokko's spirit (astral from) is ripped from her body and yeeted across the sea, and she is outside of Zu's refuge. Her astral from is lurching towards the door and she knocks on it. She has no control over her body. She starts slamming her fist against the door, her body seems angry. The door opens and Grandmother Zu is standing there. Zu: Vuokko? Is that…you? Vuokko tries to answer but her words are choked out. She reaches towards her belt, finding a dagger there, and she grabs it. She feels compelled to stab Zu with it. She resists as hard as she can (rolled a 13) and but she can't stop it, she has lost control of her body. She stabs Zu firmly in the stomach. A voice comes from her and says "with regards: The Ringmaster". The dagger has materialized. She falls back and Grandmother's from starts to warp. The kindly old lady that answered the door starts to peel away. The robes she's dressed in starts to morph and the dagger is pulled at with claws. She screams a blood curdling one as she body changes into a mockery of a women. Claws on both her hands and feet, weathered face, broken teeth that end in points. Her body pulses with dark energy. "The hunger, the hunger is real" She pulls the dagger out and lurches into the house. "Come here children, grandmother's hungry." Vuokko can hear screams of children as Grandmother Zu consumes.

She wakes with a start, her whole body and bed covered in sweat. She screams no and Bri is awake or woken up. Vuokko tells Brirsayne about what she saw. Brirsayne asks what they can do and Vuokko says she doesn't want to put this burden on any of them. They go down to

I ask the DM if there is a time Vuokko saw something like this or any tales she knows of. A tale in the southern forest is of a hag that keeps the people in check. Children are warned not go out at night else it will grab them up. She doesn't share this. Bri suggests they could contact the ringmaster and Vuokko doesn't want to put them to fight a fairy. She tells Bri about the tale to keep children in check. She says it's a tale, but in the Dedhuilleach forest, nothing is really a tale. She muses that maybe the creature took over Grandmother's position or maybe it was the same creature all along. But nothing like this ever happened before… Vuokko reaches for her seasons top, but is disappointed it's gone. Bri prestidigit'ises a top like her's. She says she can make it at any time. Vuokko spins the top and it lands on winter, which she is. She reminds Bri how her parents would make her decide what season she became randomly. It was the reason she left home.

The tea is raspberry flavored and Vuokko makes a joke that she thinks the innkeeper used The Carrier's mouse for the tea, it tastes the raspberry.

(timeskip)

Amir goes to Vance's room and Vance scolds him for bickering with Vuokko when it came to decide who was going to take the plunge with the Ringmaster. Amir says he had just been told not to stick his nose into things, how is this different. Vance says it just is. Amir asks for help to give the gold back to the families. Something about using the fact that the children were saved, he wants try to convince the resistance that war isn't the answer, they need to rebuild than spill blood. Vance: Sure. Amir: I understand this is a political matter and--wait really? Vance says Amir is a charity case, he's kinda fucked, and needs all the help he can get (said with a half smile). Amir admits Vance talks better than him. Vance: Well, you know what they say: Duke Jaque Kenedi did not write his own speeches. Amir: …I'll your word for it.

((…It was a JFK joke. He didn't write his own speeches but he was good at speaking them. DM was like "brb, writing all the lore for Duke Jaque Kenedi." Vance's player said he was a goblin.)) Amir wants to convince the Dutchess (who's son was killed when we were out on the boat) with some like…closer on her son's death. The Carrier: Are you two done? 'M trying to sleep here. Amir ooc: Is Carrier there!? The Carrier ooc: Yeah, it's my room. The three talk and The Carrier suggests Brirsayne's friend across the road. They also agree we need to get our story straight for if/when the guard comes to talk to them about the boat.

During the 4 hours of hanging out down in the inn, Vuokko does to go outside, sees that it is still raining, and returns to Bri. Her hair is also braided now. Amir ooc: You look like hell--No he didn't say that. Amir: How did you all rest? Vuokko gives a thumbs down. Amir: That well? Vuokko gives double thumbs down. Amir tries to cast Greater Restoration but he doesn't have the diamond for it. I cut him off from doing it and the DM was going to let him do it and tell him it failed. Vuokko suggests The Ringmaster didn't actually give Amir the ability, but he realizes he needs items for it.

The Tiefling women and her son comes in with a basket. They brought treats, including some strange jerky that is green. Vuokko takes a bite. It's a fish of some kind. None of us know what it is, lol, we can't roll high enough. She also has bottles of local alcohol. Amir is too polite to not drink it and Vuokko offers to take it off his hands. The drink is bubbly and has lemon in it, but overall it's light beer. Vance also doesn't drink but he taste tests it.

Amir has plans but says first he has chosen a new name. He says he wants to honor his father and has taken his name to be known as Amir the Prophet. We make plans to what our story will be when the guard comes to interview us for the boat.

I'm learning I'm lucky I used my inspiration on that doll. It was gonna swap it's mind with my body. I would have been stuck in the body of a doll. Also, if I hadn't hit the intel saves it would have made in intelligence to 0. So I did miss some things that could have been bad. My ability to preform is trash, but my will/mind is strong I guess.

[rebbykins]

Don't make deals with Fey friends

Vance's shadows recede… (his player is afk today)

Ringmaster takes Vuokko to the center stage (everyone follows) and he places a hand on Vuokko's stomach. It phases though her stomach and after a moment of uncomfortableness, he pulls the still reforming head out of her. The head sure is an Eladrin, but Vuokko doesn't know who it is. He flicks the head over to the body and it reattaches, then air enters the boy's mouth and life returns. He's confused and malnourished, about ten years old. He looks Vuokko in the face and says "I think I know you. I know it's not safe to say names…I think I was following you." Vuokko has no idea who this boy is but pulls him into a hug. The Ringmaster says everyone has their freedom and will be returned back to where they came. The boy was worried about going back to Grandmother, worried she was going to do awful things. Vuokko is confused, confirming that the boy is talking about Zu. The boy's mouth is bound with leather with the Ringmaster saying "lets not spoil the surprise" and the boy is disappears.

Brirsayne says she wants to do a show, so she can restore [Nameless]'s name. They talk and Bri also points out they have no real way home. The Ringmaster wants another performance or perhaps an indentured servant to allow us to go home. He says he can grant power too, not just wishes.

Vuokko realizes she can summon Sam to ask about the forest and does so. Bri smushes Sam's face, lol. Sam is covering her nose when she shows up and asks how Vuokko got here.

Vuokko: By an invite. Sam: You know better than to accept the invitation of a fey. I should smack you upside the head. Vuokko: Your other whelp needed to help a missing child. Sam: When will that one learn? …That one? What's his name? Why can't I… Vuokko: He's stupid. Sam: Oh, the blasted fool. We have some lessons that need to be taught after this.

Vuokko asks if Sam can get us home and is given a snarky no for an answer. "What am I, some kind of sorcerer?" Vuokko then explains about the boy, his worry, and says "that doesn't sound like grandmother at all." "Hmm, interesting." and Sam sighs a little. Vuokko: Interesting how? Sam: There are some things we're not allowed to say. Vuokko, goldfishing a moment with her mouth opening and closing: What do you mean not allowed to say? Sam: There is a hierarchy among the feywilds. I can not upset that balance, I can not speak on some things.

Vuokko explains what she's said talked with Sam to Bri, and they agree the only way to get home would probably be another performance.

[Nameless] tries to offer an item in return for our safe passage back. The Ringmaster doesn't seem interested in items, why send them away when they are already here. He's really interested in making a deal with Vuokko, but she doesn't want anything to do with it.

Brirsayne is willing to do a performance and Vuokko makes sure she includes that we will be returned on the day we departed. Bri writes up a contract that would allow us to use "planer shift" and we discuss the wording. Sam is worried about some parts of it, including how the spell planer shift may not bring us all back. In character, none of us know how the spell really works, Aret has some theory on how it works and that we would be able to all leave together.

"Upon the signing of this contract the undersigned will be granted a scroll of planar shift to be used to transport up to 8 individuals at our leisure. In exchange, the Ringmaster will witness a single performance by the singular undersigned"

Sam gives approval of this and warns Vuokko if she "ever accepts a deal from a fey again, I swear…" Vuokko, softly: "you're going to hate what I want to do then…"

The Ringmaster says Brirsayne has to also give up her patron's contract. Bri says she can't do that and Vuokko steps up. Her extra payment is to send a massage to her Grandmother. Vuokko asks how much more the Ringmaster wants to bring the boy back. He says he would trade for her Ent stick. Vuokko offers for a part of the magic and the Ringmaster offers instead: if she fails to do a good performance, she will send her message and give everything in her physical possession then she will leave.

Bri asks her patron for help but has to wait and [Nameless] is trying to play at us being huddled up but whiffs it. Bri offers a low stakes performance, given freely. He is growing tired. Bri walks up to the Ringmaster and says "hey have you noticed more Barbarians around? They're all the rage." DM: Roll performance with disadvantage. Bri rolls an 8 Bri ooc: She is doing jazz hands. The Ringmaster is unamused and makes Bri disappear into a hole. Vuokko agrees to make the deal. She signs the contract with the name "Vuoko" and the words on the page leap from her arm and it seems to crawl up her arm like a spider. [Nameless] asks for Bri to come back and she takes 4 damage as she steps off of the stage as she returns.

Vuokko gives her bag, her weapons, and everything other item to The Carrier to hold. He starts going though it and is like "oohh, two rubies." [Nameless]: Those look familiar… ((The joke here is [Nameless] told Vuokko she could take one gem from the stone dragon, not both))

After consulting with Sam about what to do, she decides on the dancing with the doll. Hugs are given to [Nameless], Brirsayne, and The Carrier, and Vuokko goes to the doll. The doll's body is all contorted differently. The doll says the dance will go on until one of them falls. If someone steps in, she will forfeit. Vuokko needs to mimic the doll's movements. If we succeed in mimicking the moves, we must strike each other. The first to fall loses. This is the dance of scissors.

-----

I have ideas. I could transform, I could use spells I don't think the doll has. Also, I do not know if the Ringmaster is going to allow us to bring the boy with us, Vuokko might try to put on a mini show of music if that happens...

[rebbykins]

This week on Arx Conversus

Vuokko refuses to make a deal with the Ringmaster over the dead child, believing if they were here they were suffering and she wouldn't want to bring them back to suffer more. The Ringmaster also takes interest in her Ent stick and suggests Vuokko seeks power. He offers to help her craft it into something powerful. Vuokko says no and tells him bluntly that she doesn't like him. The Ringmaster tries to again make Vuokko the bad guy for killing the not-snake, saying he was only looking for a friend.

Aret stepped forward and offered to make a deal with the Ringmaster instead. He offers to tell the story about how he came back from the dead and almost accepts the Ringmaster's offer to "take his story" until Vance and Vuokko step in. Vance tells him to be VERY careful in what kind deal he makes and informs Aret that the way to Ringmaster spoke now, he could take Aret's story for himself and no one would remember it. Aret writes up a contract and the Ringmaster changes it some, saying he will bare witness to Aret's story. ((Oocly after, he tells Aret's player that he didn't specify what story in his contract. So now the Ringmaster might be following us or smthng???))

Aret now looks for a place to perform. He almost brings back a lich but it insulted his religion. He and Bri leave and he spits in front of the tent. Aret then goes to a tent where the offer is to connect with some mushrooms to see the future. (He rolls a 19 for knowledge on these shrooms!) If he doesn't have a strong enough will he will be stuck with the mushrooms. He agrees to do it. The keepers of the tent won't allow anyone to watch. Tent keepers get mushroom stuff ready and have Aret sit on a big spider. He's gonna have paste put on his eyes and be shown a door that if he's worthy he'll go though it. Before they start he casts "Enhance Ability" on himself to boost his wisdom. A paste is put on his eye-balls and he enters this dream like state. At first the tent looks the same, with the twin keepers there, but where the door is instead is a glowing door. Aret asks if this place is familiar and gets a 22, finding it similar to when he died. He thinks of this as he walks though the door.

Aret is in a swirling purple void with some landmass. There is a land held up around a crystal. When Aret looks back to where the door was there is a large white dragon in it's place, unlike any dragon he has heard of before. She says he is one of the blind ones. The dragon speaks and calls Aret stupid. She asks if Aret wishes to be a hero and he says: "heroes die. I am but a tool." She offers to give Aret his 'sight' and he asks what the cost is. The cost is Aret's test, to tell her what "that thing is". Should Aret fail this test, he will become one of her hoard. She also says Aret can back out, but she will send him where she deems necessary for him. She even offers to speak with the party before he makes his choice. He accepts that he will speak with them, and returned to where they came from.

We show up in place and we're all confused af. No dragon there. He must identify what the dragon values the most, "see the truth of me, as what I see of you." Aret: She called me stupid. Vance: You are. Vuokko: [snorts]

GM has said one person can make a Nature or Arcana check to peer into the nature of this realm. The Carrier and Vuokko find this place familiar. Aret oocly suggests Vance, because he's smartest. Vance ooc: So Vuokko, Carrier what are your stats? Vuokko ooc: I've got a +4 in nature. Vance ooc: And Carrier? Carrier ooc: I have -1 in both Nature and Arcana. Everyone ooc: [makes noise/laughs] Vuokko ooc: What is your stats Carrier!? Carrier ooc: I don't need to be smart.

We decide Vance should, because he has a +7 to Arcana and he has inspiration, in case the dice hate him. He rolls a 15 first, then a 19 after using his inspiration. Vance recalls when he found papers at the coffee shop he works at that were highly confidential. About a Radiant Citadel and the Moonstone dragons, and how council met are trying to get to it. The dragons are seeking something great. The party all disappears one by one back to where we came from. The dragon offers to answer three questions. Aret asks a basic one, then oocly I say "just ask what she values the most". We all chuckle about it. The second question he asks is what he's lacking. She smirks a little. "The will to exist w/o anything else influencing him". After a pause, he asks what her what she values most. She grins big and answers: "some may say it is brave to question it, but she will not say so and that is the answer to your question."

Aret says something where he brings up freedom or conviction and the dragon says one of them is correct. Aret answers freedom. The dragon opens her maw to bite him and he doges out of the way (oocly "because I have the freedom to do so"). She says "we may make a hero out of you yet." She offers him knowledge on a topic, "You have the ability to think you have the freedom of thought And you have the will to move." He asks: "Am I being lead astray?" "A wise question. Your god has her best intentions for you, however she does not even see the truth anymore. Where she came from, what she lost. It is something you can bring back to her, but doing so will likely end her."

"A greater truth stands beyond the clouds. You must simply let day break." Then she says he must leave. Aret says one day he might come back and she says he would be an honored guest if he did. He asks for her name and she says "Do you know why I called you stupid? You gave me your true name. I am Aret."

When he comes out of the tent, we find ourselves reaching for his name but we can not grasp it. The word is gone. Vuokko is disappointed because that one was one of the rules!!! [Nameless] didn't think it mattered in the place he was going.

The deal [Namless] wants is for the boy/body to be resurrected and for our friend from the WAY from the start of the game to be cured of lycanthropy, who was like one of the goals of our party. Vance works on writing up the contract.

"Upon the signing of this contract, the child that Vouko bit the head off will be fully restored in tact and alive, not inside Vouko, unharmed, with Vouko being unharmed as well. In addition, one Lusk of the Wandering Priests will be restored of his Lycanthropy. "

Vance has also asked if he goes jump into the hole, can he get another boon? The Ringmaster says sure.

"If I, Gil'Droy Notchbane Sandwell, go jump in the hole, you, the ringmaster, will grant the dog-brained Venerated One the ability to cast greater restoration at will once per week without consuming a spell slot."

The Ringmaster says "One condition, he has to have the spell component."

Vance jumps into the hole and it blasts him and what is left of the tent into the air, towards the east. He lands on the (high) giant cat. The tent is okay and the cat screams a cat screech and bolts away. Vance is okay, but he is enveloped in shadow. GM: This isn't something negative. Lets just say you're going to have a friend. Another friend.

From [Nameless]'s player when we were done: Aret lost his name to a Moonstone Dragon, but gained a new perspective on his agency as a person. He must take on his destiny as the prophet of the Maw through his own accord and think for himself going forward. This may result in the death of the Maw ultimately even if its for the betterment of everything. For now has gained the title 'The Venerated One' until he can get his name back.

[rebbykins]

D&D this week!

As the group enters the main tent, Vance notices the snake body has an arm sticking out of it. ((I FUCKING KNEW IT)) Vuokko does a con save to keep herself from throwing up, succeeding it.

The Ringmaster and Vuokko talk. He says the children come here with their free will (Vuokko points out that she did not see a child kicking and screaming as free will) and he gives them jobs here where they would have been lost otherwise. He offers them to perform at the circus and in return they will get a boon. Vuokko and Aret fight about who will take this deal (The Ringmaster suggests there is something unsaid between Aret and Vuokko.) and Vance steps forward. He signs the contract and heads out to see how he can perform to receive a boom.

The circus is not pretty >_>;; Vance ends up helping with some maintenance with helping with cleaning up canons and an energy thingy. Vance also shoots himself out one of the canons, got a 22 on performance, and stuck the landing on top of the big tent. At some point he also gives his fey drugs to a talking cat who wants a potion (the task is alchemy related). Vance smashes all of these tasks and gets the boon, making a contract for The Ringmaster--

Per the terms and conditions of the contract below, In exchange for the performance given by yours truly, and the boon granted by the Ringmaster, the children of Port Umbra are to be returned to their families unharmed, if any contracts had been made with these children, they are to be made null and void. This is unconditional return to their families, no proverbial or literal strings attached. If harm had come to a child prior to the arrival of one Gil'Droy Notchbane-Sandwell, just compensation will be given to the families. This compensation is to come without any metaphorical, nor literal strings attached. Failure for the Ringmaster to uphold his end of this boon will result in his forfeiture of his position and Sir Gil'Droy Notchbane-Sandwell will become the new ringleader of the local feywilds. xGil'Droy Notchbane Sandwell x__

MEANWHILE. Vuokko's stomach really hurts and is swollen. (I failed a new con save roll). GM tells me to roll a 1d3 and I got 2. Vuokko now has "Dissolved Vitality": The target’s Constitution score is permanently halved, and its hit point maximum is reduced accordingly. So her Con is now 6. It can not be healed by what we can do at the moment. :(

Also, the body of the snake Vuokko ate has transformed into a headless humanoid, strung up on a stake. It is being decorated with flowers like how the people of her home decorate the dead. The Ringmaster has said the person can be brought back to life--probably with another boon. Vuokko is feeling regret but it's distant. She's realized the person is probably someone she knew, but she's so disconnected from her childhood home. She is starting to understand this experience has been created for her, so the Ringmaster can have her here. Why he's interested in her, I don't know.

She needs to make a choice. Does she care about this person she might vaguely know? No. Does she care The Ringmaster has called her a murderer of this person? Not really. Is she curious as to who this person is/was? A little.

We need to gain another boon from The Ringmaster though if we want to take him up on bringing this one back to life. Of the things that are left to "preform" it seems dancing with a creepy doll might be do able. Brirsayne has been interested in that from the start, plus Aret and Vuokko both think it doesn't sound awful.

In funnies, The Carrier said this: The Carrier: We both have something in our bellys now.

[rebbykins]

What was missed from my last post: Aret is alive! Brirsayne jumped into a pool of boiling water to try to save him. Everyone else but two people on a boat with us died and the rich are pissed. Aret is now like a...uuhhh, he's super important for his religion. We cremated Aret's mentor. The Carrier's other-self said he and Vuokko have something important to do in the grand scheme of saving the worlds. There's a tiefling women who's son has been kidnapped by local fey and we plan to ask for him back. Vance is making drugs to bribe the fey with.

This week:

Brirsayne has a moment with her patron goddess(?). Her patron has a half melted skin+one bony wing because of the failure Brirsayne had with Frost...I think. It could also be from a past failure that we learned out ooc--a burning temple with Brirsayne's mother inside of it.

Vuokko is concerned that Aret is trying to save everyone. He has his fingers in everything; trying to save missing children, keeping a war from breaking out in this city. She says we can't stay here in this city solving all the problems, we can offer them guidance, but if they wish to carry out their plans, then we she not stop them. We have a bigger goal in mind. The rest of the party agrees. Aret has a long think about this. He also apologizes for the awful things he said to Vuokko when he learned she knew where the relic was. They agree that the two of them are closer to how they had been before, but Aret doesn't feel like he is worthy of being a lover to Vuokko. She says she doesn't need to love him like that, that her love for him is also like that for a family. She calls the rest of the group their pack. Aret goes to speak with the tiefling women and Vuokko asks way after he left if she can rest with him like they would do before all of this. (she doesn't wanna screw, she just wants to sleep beside him...like cuddle).

ANYWAY.

Our characters have come to the feywilds, to a circus to look for missing children. After going over the rules of dealing with fey. Brirsayne asks if Vuokko can take the lead in this and she agrees to it, so long as The Carrier can help back her up. (He is fey after all!)

Upon landing in the feywilds, Vuokko has a blue snake wrap around her leg. She greets it and tries to stop it as it slithers up her body. She cannot and it nips her breast as it makes it's way up. When it pokes it's head out of her shirt, she has an urge to eat the whole thing ((con saving throw (10), then a 1d6 (2))). She collects the snake in her hands, going in to kiss it on the head, then she puts the WHOLE thing in her mouth. Everyone is a little confused by what she's doing, Aret and the Carrier try to stop her but they cannot. I'm told to roll a 1d4+1(strength score)--getting a 5. She bit the whole head off and swallowed. She snaps to her senses, throws the bleeding body away and freaks out a little. Brirsayne asks if they should eat the snake and Vuokko tells her "NO!"

Then the ringmaster of the feywilds shows up and says: "That's no where to treat family, Vuokko. Welcome to the circus. Let's play some games, shall we?"

I HAVE THEORIES. Our DM had us plan out family members for our characters. Even though Vuokko ran away from home, I decided to give her younger siblings she never met. I gave her two younger sisters and a younger brother. Maybe one or more of the siblings shared Vuokko's dislike of changing seasons every day and ran away too--but they didn't find Grandmother Zu and instead found the circus?

The "family" could also be other children from under Zu's care too? Gosh I hope it's that one.

[rebbykins]

Aret gets Sparta kicked into a burning fire

Okay, not sparta kicked, but stabbed in the chest by Frost--who WE SHOULD HAVE KILLED--and then into the burning mouth of a stone titan. We should have listened to Brirsayne and her patron, we should have. We will from now on.

Vuokko is in shock and is utterly unable to do anything to save him, to get him from the fire. Vance puts himself between Frost and Vuokko to protect her. The Carrier runs to the edge of where we are fighting to get Brirsayne, who flies up. (Hello, wings are new) Frost has no interest in fighting us back. She kneels down and like, opens her palms, waiting. Vuokko in full rage mode and wants to kill the person who killed Aret. She is moonbeaming Frost and her warforged "sons" (only freaking 9 damage though bah). The Carrier shoots a crit psychic blade, doing 13+24, sending her near death's door. Vuokko is screaming things like "I loved him! How could you! Why!? Die!!" Things like that as she focuses her moonbeam down on just Frost. The psychic blade seems to super heat in her head and finally she falls down into the open flame below.

While all of this is happening, Aret is talking to what is likely a personified version of his god The Maw. She is offering him peace forever or a second chance at life but it will come at a cost. Two other gods have been trying to kill The Maw and have used Aret to be something of a bomb as they send him to her. Aret chooses to come back, he doesn't want to make his friends suffer in this world on their own. So, Aret's mentor and father figure has taken his place in the land of the dead. You know, the one we worked so hard to save last week.

Aret's player, after a moment of silence: You bastard.

[rebbykins]

A scene I'd like to be drawn from my game

Sooo party has found out some heavy stuff. Vuokko goes to go to bed but Aret's familiar shows up and is all "Hey! I found him! He's hurt!" and Vuokko goes to get Aret. We do some cool jumping out the window shit before rushing off to find him with Vance and Brirsayne in tow.

Aret's mentor/father figure has been attacked, with his guts hanging out. Most of the soup rushes to help him. Aret does a medicine check understand what is going on: dirty 20 (13+7) GM says we have to make 2 medicine checks and a healing spell. Vuokko offers to help Aret and Vance also offers to do the magic.

Aret rolls first, with guidance cast on himself. He hits a 26 (18+7, +1 from guidance dice). Vuokko only rolls a 16 (11+4, +1 guidance dice thanks to Vance). We smash the DC on that one! Aret is able to put his teachers organs back inside. Next we roll to close up the flesh. Aret rolls a 17 (10+7) and Vuokko rolls a 18 (14+4). It JUST makes the DC. GM does wonderful story telling, saying how Aret's hands are slippery from the first part and Vuokko gives support so mentor's flesh can be pulled back together.

Finally, Vance's arcana check: He rolled a 10, which is not great. Then he asked if we had inspiration and he did! So he rolled again. 27 (20+7)! A crit!!

We saved him!!! Vance and Brirsayne cast Cure Wounds as well. Mentor is able to tell Aret a message before he passes out to sleep again.

Brirsayne and Vuokko both hug Aret after (Vuokko more leans against him like a dog might).

We just don't get rest, do we? GM is giving us so much we can do in this world.

[rebbykins]

To hit or not to hit

Two OP golem enemies have to roll to attack (of opportunity) Aret, with disadvantage b/c he's invisible and doing things to hide himself. Oh boy, first one hit (for 10 if anyone is wondering) and the other one...WOW. a 20 then a 1.

[rebbykins]

Just a lil update on Vuokko

So last time Vuokko and The Carrier went to visit the market and see if they could meet some fae that might know about the relic. Things did not go well. They witnessed fae kidnapping a child and tried to stop them. The Carrier attacked and the two of them were swarmed by a mass of fae with wild magic.

They disengaged and were given an invite to meet the Ringmaster of the critter circus. They Carrier also took heavy damage.

Meanwhile Aret and Brirsayne talk and meet a new group of folks trying to get into the city w/o a magic item check in. The two help this group get in.

Vuokko is still upset about what happened with Aret and went to bed going "don't be winter, don't be winter" ((She is an eladrin elf and can change with the seasons. She is normally autumn and has been spring a few times. Her hair gets like stripes of different color in it. Though I wish I had just made it change fully.))

She didn't wake up as winter, she woke up as summer. A blond stripe in her hair near her roots. She is not happy and tells Brirsayne how she isn't herself as summer, she's very stubborn and is worried she's going to say something to Aret that she'll regret later.

Her hostility starts as soon as The Carrier meets her and Brirsayne in the hallway. He comments on her hair ("nice hair") and she gives him the finger. She also gave Aret the finger when he commented on her hair too. Brirsayne put a hand over Vuokko's to lower it.

The new friends Aret and Brirsayne made include and drow, to which Vuokko made a face when he was brought up. Aret mentioned how the [drow was very nice] and Vuokko pointed out that saying that was racist.

Vance and Vuokko also had a moment of finger giving and Vance welcomed the attitude from her xD

....

Oh yeah, there's a pufferfish that eats magic relics and can turn giant/into an air balloon and carries a teapot house????

[rebbykins]

There is a fog monster all around Vuokko GM: If you fail, you'll possibly hit Vuokko. The Carrier ooc: I'm going to try to hit the creature and not Vuokko. Vuokko occ: Vuokko is going down guys. The Carrier hits with his first attack, but then tries to do a bonus attack and misses. GM: I need you do another attack against Vuokko's AC The Carrier: [rolls a 19] Vuokko ooc: I have 12 AC. Damage, 7. Vuokko had 5 HP. Brisayne tries to heel me, but rolls 1+1, out of 2d6.

[rebbykins]

Aret: Don't breath in the air, it's haunted!

[rebbykins]

Just an update from last week: this is how things played out.

The deacon of the cathedral and the captain of the guards came into the room. Vuokko hid with an 18 (thank you Pass without trace) in a pew on one side.

The Carrier DREW ATTENTION TO HIMSELF (Vuokko face palmed) and used disguise self at first to try to look like someone else from the cathedral. This didn't work and he played chicken with the deacon as the deacon heated the bell The Carrier was near by.

The captain of the guards moved to let the deacon deal with The Carrier and saw Vuokko with a 23 (vs her 18 to hide). He just looked at her and smiled.

The Deacon is displeased with The Carrier and sends him out. Vuokko changes into a spider so she can GTFO. As she climbs out a window, she sees the captain of the guards come back in and slice the deacon down with his sword! He also cuts his tongue out of him???

Anyway. Vuokko decides she'll climb up to the roof to see why The Carrier wanted her to go up there. She hears singing and giggles coming from the bell tower and finds a chunk of mirror held on the bell. In the mirror shard is what looks like The Carrier looking back at Vuokko.

Shard-Carrier in the mirror comes from a land where the calamity never happened, showing Vuokko tall cities of glass. But something has been set into motion that will bring ruin to both worlds. The Carrier is going to bring something from the other world to our world. The Carrier's god (or w/e Shard-Carrier is) needs someone to be a wet nurse for the child--LOL. Nah, Shard-Carrier wants Vuokko to help raise the offspring and guide The Carrier in doing so. Shard-Carrier says she sees kindness of Vuokko and will repay her with whatever she desires.

OH and Shard-Carrier mentioned telling Vuokko "truths" about her Grandmother. Truths are never a good thing!!

[rebbykins]

Vuokko is in wild shape, as a spider. She has to remove a small mirror (it's a bit bigger than her). She's using her front legs to remove the glass. The GM says hands, then correct themself with legs. Aret ooc: Daily reminder, spiders have paws.

[rebbykins]

dice hate Rebby today

Dice are sooo mean today! Rolling a nature to see if I (Vuokko) recognize the plants in a place are from home, roll a 9.

The Carrier, who is from the same place as Vuokko, rolls a nature to see if he recognizes them. He rolled a 0. He has a -1 in nature. 😲 It would have been so useful, then Vuokko could have connected with him and maybe trusted him more! ((She thinks he is a vampire))

Later, we see a giant cathedral made from a ship where the plants could have been made from Twin Leaf trees... Vuokko rolled another 9, so she can't make a connection that the planks could have been made from that.

Also, The Carrier tried to pick a lock and also critical failed. He used inspiration to redo the roll.

....

We both tried to roll to climb a trellis up to the roof of the cathedral, but I rolled a 4 (I used inspiration to reroll it to a fucking 5) and The Carrier an 8, so we try something else. We try the bell rope and The Carrier went up first and dropped a rope down for Vuokko. Vuokko rolled a 9 with advantage and falls down on her butt.

Then she could hear voices and it sounds like ppl are coming up to the bell tower. AND THE GM ENDED THE SESSION.

[rebbykins]

DM: Can you both give me a Religion check. Brirsayne, in a small voice: Can I have advantage? DM, after a short pause: No.