or “We’re Near Far Daran”
It Begins!
CUTSCENE!
Fort Vigilent, home of the Elonian military.
Lady Ambra broods, looking out a window.
Someone wants to see her before she leaves. Captain Jax!
Still a little banged up from us.
Wants to redeploy his squad, “One of your imposters --”
SLAP! “Do not compare me to those abominations!!!”
Sorry. But if not for them, would have successfully captured the other squirrelkin.
Grabs his collar. Wait – more than one of them? And you let them slip through your fingers?
Won’t happen again! Promise!
No. It won’t.
Shouting of Capt. Jax.
She’s walking away. Flicks blood from her claws. Jax on the floor.
Ready the Astro Brigades. I’ll be taking the ship immediately.
Aide: But Malcolm is waiting!
He’s waited lifetimes. A day or two more won’t kill him.
Covers her eyes.
What about the captain?
One eye is blood-red. I have no more use for him. He wants to be redeployed? Hand him over to the Science Legion.
Meanwhile …
Mizzle
Dream … On the road, alone. No destination. No books. Endless trudging.
Something burst over his head – the sun? No, a large eye staring down.
Feel more than hear a voice “Mizzle Smoketree …”
Trying to find you for some time … the things you’ve done has been garnering my attention … one of my children has been keeping a close eye on you … what next?
Ritual to talk with Trishenko? Check out the tower and see if we can get in. Return a book.
What about in the Starspan Tower?
What are the stars to heaven? What happen to Owen Ordain? We have a Sigil.
Laughter. Sigil isn’t enough. Squirrelkin not enough. But I can help you. Zernitra.
Mizzle doesn’t know the name.
You’re bringing knowledge back to the world.
Not knowing what’s going on is causing grief.
How will your resolve hold when truly put to the test. I have been failed many times before entrusting my power to mortals. Will you be different?
Dunno.
Let’s put it to the test.
The other arcana seem happy. But you do you.
The dream changes. Gallimaufry! Swimming in a sludgy black and blue liquid, sad and pained.
Zernitra: your home is in trouble. Will your principles survive when your home is in danger? Will find out soon enough. Sleep well. I’ll be watching …
Wakes up. Prysma is staring in Mizzle’s face.
Gallimaufry is in trouible. Sooner or later. So … sooner! Also, need to return the book.
The Next Morning
Lots of things about. Harmony Senate protected, now in special session, incl. what to do with Lady Lampara. Also, a request by Adra and Sen Joan: make sure these kids have the best chance here.
Majority approves of that last point.
We are given some treasure! 300z each!
And three cool magic items! That we can use!
Not a lot of other info about things that have awakened with the aetheric power supply.
TBs use Dwyer to get some IPs! (as do we all)
Rituals
Mizzle - Ritual to Create a two-way communication channel with a named individual
Doleron Wishing Fountain. Off the main drag, in an alley.
Bang of a Crow thunder
Getting in touch with the TBs Dad, Poley.
[Poley? Poly? Paulie?]
TBs try to tell all the news about New Trishenko, etc., and ask questions, but father is telling more urgent news.
We had to leave Trishenko! Wild beasts and monsters! Caught in a snowstorm … all awake in a cave. Somethings leaving food for us, but the entrance snow is unbearable.
Will be there as soon as we can.
*Good to see you! *
We know you are doing something important, and we trust you are making right decisions.
Sons, just want … (fades out) … just the sound of bitter winds and storms.
Saraid gives them hugs. The TBs cluster together, all worried.
We have to go somewhere.
And another Ritual.
Mizzle concentrates on another Ritual
Divination, to locate Poley Trimaldi.
Northwest of Trishenko? Why? Halfway to Thule!
Druids were lost in the Northern Mtns, where the Phoenix Roosts.
Taking a side-ish tripto the Gallimaufry, which is in more direct danger. So going to Gallimaufry first (TBs a little lot-worried, but grateful to Mizzle, but impatient to get there.)
TBs training montage (even on Prysma-back). Exercising grimly with a minimum of chatter and goofing off. Cleaning weapons multiple times, triple-checking wiring …
Travel to the Gallimaufry
Prysma asks about rain and clouds.
And that’s when we run into a bunch of Air Elementals.
Succeed! Prysma outmaneuvers and outruns them.
Prysma apologizes to them, and to the party.
Another travel check (TBs) All okay.
The ocean is taking on an inky blue-black.
Saraid … might know. She does? Usually the death of something large, causing a magical disturbance. Make sure you’re not in the water, or you can get real sick.
Mizzle takes that in a panicky fashion! So will overthink the whole situation …
… until we see the Great Turtle.
Still moving.
Populace is putting healing balms on it.
Mizzle thinks there is some interference with magical effects.
A little ways away – a city sticking out of the ocean. Odd.
The turtle has a ship next to it. Not of any style we recognize, but just looks like a trading vessel.
Set down on a large, flat roof.
Aboard the Gallimaufry
Climb down from the roof.
Fyodor: “Young Mr Smoketree, still not precise enough.”
Mizzle introduces Saraid, TBs, Prysma, Zenit-Eyes.
Gives the book to Fyodor.
Fydor tests his knowledge.
The turtle goes through the seas, absorbing latent aether in the water and other power sources. Few days ago, migrating to nearest large scent of aether, ran into these unfortunate waters.
Not sure about the city. Nothing on the map. Older texts mentioning a place never seen.
Introduce the Sigil fragment of Owen.
TBs - We’re from Near Daran. Maybe legend of Far Daran?
Which sank in the sea?
Quite astute! Yes, the G folk believe this is part of lost Far Daran.
oooooh
Mizzle has read a Fortian book about Far Daran. Original homeland of the beastkin, settled there from another land still further away.
“Who are the current occupants of Far Daran?”
—> Inhabited by the ghosts of the people of Far Daran when it lost power and sunk beneath the sea; the only living inhabitant is a very large Oft Egg, sort of like a turtle egg. Also monsters and demons.
Speculation: All that haunting is behind the strange ocean, as the G had been heading toward it.
Mizzle and Saraid - going to the head to talk to the turtle.
TBs - manuscripts to the librarians.
Split the Party!
TBs and the Council of Librarians
Inhabitants of the G: Faces of the Gallimaufry
Documents MIzzle is handing over: Mizzle's Journal - #11 by garrett
TBs walk to the tallest building, because that’s important.
Lots of people bustling about.
A big desk.
Break out of the clank. “Beastkin!”
(tells the mission)
Rin - people will want to interview you! It could help us.
Led off …
Talk with Tek - leading an expedition to Far Daran to determine source of inky water.
TBs: We have a library, too, of 20-30 books! The Mayor has it. People borrow books then bring them back when they are done. (this draws comments)
Tell all about the town, and life, and the individuals, in excruciating detail, now talking on top of each other, faster and faster …
… and they are actually getting upset about talking about their home town, and nobody is there any more and mixed-up stuff about magic spells and conversations and …
"and we have to deliver these papers for Mizzle to the Library of Councils and then maybe we can leave so we can find my family and our friends and they’re trapped in a cave and people are giving them food but it sounds like a trap and we are very, very worried"
Rin comforts them.
Mizzle and Saraid
Fyodor is a bit apprehensive but also very much enjoying flying.
From up high can see dark water is leaking out of the city.
G looks unwell.
Trying to get to the eyes.
Saraid introduces them.
Must go. Must get closer.
The Egg - the young one needs to be nutured.
Can we bring it to you? Yes, that would be good.
“Tell the people I am sorry for this, but I need to do this.” Will not leave until it has the youngling.
Fyodor is a bit in awe. A long time since anyone has communed with the Ancient One. Good job!
(Mizzle’s jaw drops as the magnitude of the compliment.)
Fly back. S asks about M as a kid. Fyodor starts telling embarrassing stories about how many books they checked out, etc.
But with a hint that he’s kind of proud.
Fyodor thanks Prysma. “Always good to be helpful.”
Wrapping Up
Hey! We leveled! Again!
Next time … we will be (getting) into a dungeon …
Mizzle’s session 40+ agenda:
- Talk to the Council of Librarians about next moves
- Find Zeal aboard the Gallimaufry
- Fight our way through the entire god damn dungeon
- Retrieve the egg from Far Daran