Pen & Paper Bullshit

The expedition returns to Nagalisitu, six centuries after they left (only about a month for them) and find a land completely changed by their decisions. Instead of finding a unified people, the Nagalisituites have fractured into tribes, each of which remembers the Outsiders and their deeds in a different way. Each tribe's way of life is not fully sustainable and unifying them will be key to continuing Nagalisitu's growth, but how can they merge so many distinct cultures, each with their own norms and taboos? And are some tribes even worth saving?

The newly formed Company of the Rainbow Scale is in desperate need of some sort of unifying symbol beyond the Rainbow Wyrm that is their wyter; to that end, their leaders set off to the Rainbow Mounds, rumored to contain amazing rainbow stones that reflect every color known. But what should be a fairly simple adventure turns into something more complicated, as they encounter the Mounds' strange new resident.

The party has never even heard of the Royal Academy for Necromancy, Demonology, and Applied Magics when they step into the 7th Circle of Hell. Discovered by a strange school porter named Scarlet, they are swiftly escorted to onboarding and sorting. Then, just as they are about to start their new life at Randam Academy, they accidentally call up a great, beetle-eyed monster called the Great Guardian. An incredible fight is about to begin!

The expedition sets their sights on the Order of the Black Owl, a group of monks dedicated to collecting and preserving knowledge, to help introduce religion to Nagalisitu. Unfortunately, the Order loves nothing more than debating the merits of any choice, to the point of absurdity. Can they be convinced to more faster than a snail's pace?

Following their navigation of the Labyrinth, the party finds themselves stuck between two legions, led by two arguing liches. Thankfully, instead of killing them, the liches believe them to be some sort of royal conflict resolution specialists. Can the players finally do some diplomacy? Probably not!

The Haraborn have fled Black Stag Vale after their victory over King Kangharl, but still the Lunars and their lackies pursue them, intent on killing their clan's wyter, the Black Stag, now hosted inside its son, known as the Royal. Their only option to save the future of the Haraborn is to become something new. Something unbreakable. Something deadly. Something the Lunars will learn to fear.

The Lordless Bog Expedition is tasked with exploring and mapping out the extremely cursed and haunted Lordless Bog, so that House Sern may better learn how to exploit whatever resources it may hold; instead, the expedition's leaders find themselves in a long forgotten kingdom, where a people are in desperate need of their help. Will the expedition prove to be the selfless heroes the people of Nagalisitu need or will they ruthlessly exploit them?

The party finally takes a rest, following their adventures in the Labyrinth; Teus investigates his curse, Blaze has a child, Dawn has a chat with herself, and Hugh tends his garden. Then, we play a little bit of Zork as the players attempt to use the Labyrinth's weird nature to their advantage.

The king of the Colymar tribe, Kangharl, marches on Black Stag Vale, brining an army of Sartarites against the Haraborn for the crimes of tax evasion, breaking the Lunar Peace, and treason against the king. He brings with him the promise of the total destruction of the Haraborn by destroying their wyter, the spirit of their clan and community; should the Black Stag be killed, the Haraborn as a people will never exist again. Thankfully, the Heroes of the Haraborn are there to protect their chosen clan. The prologue of Now Comes the Fire reaches its climactic end!

 

Note: There was a slight recording issue, at about 45 minutes; we've fixed it as best we can!

This week brings a fireside chat, as Julia's internet continue to cut in and out because of weather! Hugh has questions about pocket dimensions that he needs answered, so he approaches Dawn and Teus to get some answers.