- Walden “Stormy” King,
Male Eladrin Wizard - Dimva Murkahm,
Male Dwarf Rogue - Erith Elmaris,
Male Elf Vampire - Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Cleric - Mortos,
Male Tiefling Druid - Amidaeus,
Female Elf Vampire - Ffion Tanwen,
Female Dragonborn Cleric - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
Toward the end of December, I gave everyone what I thought would be a fun homework assignment. The Ghosts of Solstices Past, Present, and Future appeared in visions to each of the PCs as they slept. Each player was to choose one or more of the ghosts and tell us what they showed their PC. I was surprised that everyone chose at least two, AND that they were all fairly somber. Here, in their own words, are what they saw:
Garrus:
Past: Visions of Garrus drunk and slumped against a wall, mumbling, Goblins also drunk, but a figure stands in the corner in shadows listening and plotting.
Present: Garrus walking down a path, one with light and warmth but disorienting when looking in, the other dark and warm but a heavenly voice beckoning. The choice is before me...
Future: Dwarves of my clan (family and friends) all dead, fires raging, the moans of death and ash falling to the ground, Garrus’ body face down with blood all around, the symbol of Kord lays broken.
Ffion:
Past reminded her of her village falling ill, going on romantic herb-finding expeditions with Abertha, and the frustration and sorrow of not yet finding a cure, despite long hours and trials in the apothecary. This ghost wanted her to not lose sight of her original mission.
Present let her see that Baron Blackthorn, his goons, and Abertha are conspiring to get the Sword of Bahamut. She's a bit shaken by the realization that the myth may be real after all.
Future showed Connie Ferrous relinquishing her old heart to Ffion as the cure, but with the condition that Ffion's heart will replace Connie's once the mission is complete. In this way, Connie can live on and continue to protect the forest.
Amidaeus:
Ghost of the past just showed me happy times with my family when my parents were still alive
Ghost of present showed the carnage of a big battle and a large flash of light
Ghost of future showed me living quietly on a little farm (vampire or not) lol
Lupin:
Past brought her back to her childhood, reminding her of all the time she spent alone, fending for herself and how isolated and scared she was.
Present showed her the party, fighting together, drinking and eating together, even the fighting (Because even if members were upset they were still sticking around and taking time to hear Lupin out and bothering to share their own thoughts with her instead of just dismissing her). They also showed her the tentative bonds Lupin has been developing with her dad, baron Damocles and the rest of the frost clan.
Future showed her two images. One was of Babs and the ambrosia, the other of the party and Lupin’s family. If Lupin moved towards one image, the other would drift away and no matter how hard Lupin tried to obtain both, she was never allowed to do so. So now Lupin has been show the choice she must make. Go after Babs and the ambrosia but loose her family and friends OR work to maintain the connections she formed and sacrifice the reputation and fortune she has been trying to achieve for herself.
Mortos:
Mortos was visited by the solstice ghosts of past and future, in relation to his threat of leaving the united and going back to his farm.
The ghost of solstice past took him to his first solstice with Sotrom. They received toy weapons and Sotrom accidentally hit him. He went to hit her back but was stopped by his dad who told him “we don’t raise a hand against family” and those words echoed with Mortos as he thought of his recent encounters with Sotrom.
The ghost of solstice future took him to the future if he left his friends and the united. He was on his farm, but lonely, and unhappy
Dimva:
My solstice past was an image of my Mom fighting to keep me but it was my father who didn’t want me at all. Ultimately it was him that gave me up.
My solstice future was Dimva walking through his old orphanage and picked up a toy that flooded him with many childhood memories. Dimva picked up another toy but was startled by a noise and he turned around, ultimately bringing him back to the present.
And now, back to our session. . .
Amidaeus suggests finding a necromancer to bring him back from the dead. Members of the United strongly oppose her, reminding Amidaeus that Undead creatures are the very thing the United is fighting against.
When questioned if he believes Dimva truly committed this crime, Garrus prays that he did not, but knowing Dimva’s past, he cannot be sure. Garrus states that if Dimva is guilty, he would be unable to work with him anymore and in fact, may be forced to take his life. The Anguished Aunt alerts him that the United is forming search parties now and wants to know if she should ask Thorsen (see Choices & Consequences) to join them. Garrus reluctantly agrees and says that he needs some time to ponder upon matters.
As Garrus rejoins the rest of The Heroes at the tavern, they begin to discuss Dimva’s innocence. Most feel that he may have been framed and because of his reputation, fled when spotted at the scene of the crime. However, they also admit that there is a good chance he may have indeed killed General Sterling.
A shocked Lupin replies if this is the same Father Franklin that gave him the artifacts to stop Garrus’ brother (see Family Feud) and helped them to free Tiny Town from Odrem (see Rock of Ages). Garrus concurs and states that he can’t believe it is the same man. Lupin suggests that perhaps he is making penance for his past. Garrus also mentions that Franklin possesses a wishing ring that could be a powerful artifact to acquire. After Garrus relates the news from Aunt Lilly about the unrest amongst the races of the United, Lupin realizes that there is someone she should talk with and excuses herself from the table.
The Human race is by far the largest population in the world, consequently they provide the most troops and funding for the United. That also allows them to lead the United as General Sterling did. The Fretting Fiend fears that whoever the Human’s replacement may be will take this as an act of war by the Dwarfs and shatter the alliance. Lupin questions General Valentine’s role in the United; she thought she was brought in to take Sterling’s place. The Daring Devil discloses that Valentine is an Aasimar and doesn’t answer to the Humans. She also came to see General Sterling’s concerns that executing Project Renaissance would cost too many lives (see Drunkards and Dragons).
As the final four friends drink, they try to decide what they should do if they locate Dimva. Amidaeus believes that Dimva is a suspect just because of his shady past. She believes that he fled because he was already judged by the United. Ffion prays that he is innocent, but also doesn’t doubt that he is capable of such a crime. She then warns them that if they catch him and he is guilty, they may have a difficult decision on their hands. Mortos seems nonchalant about the whole state of affairs. He casually proclaims that he just wants to rule Hell, which confuses the other members who weren’t privy to that conversation (see Choices & Consequences).
Erith decides that Rhonda should join them on the hunt for Dimva until the townsfolks forget about the horrific homicide. Amidaeus tells them to relax and laughs that it’s not like the villagers are gathering with torches and pitchforks. A warm glow of torches from the center of town suddenly prompts the three Vampires to head toward the woods and wait for the other Heroes to catch up.
The Angelic Eladrin informs Garrus that Kord will always have faith in him, and that sometimes one must follow a more secular path rather than a holy one and perhaps that is what his vision was telling him. Garrus states that he has trained in warfare with his brothers and perhaps the path of a warrior is what he should follow. The Spiritual Sylph states that there is a third option. To become a Paladin like herself. A holy knight in the service of their God. The Righteous Woman reveals a Warhammer and armor for a Paladin of Kord in the rectory of the church. The Divine Damsel declares that as a Paladin of many Gods, including Kord, she can ordain him herself. Garrus switches his armor and asks what will happen to his old armor. The Devote Dame discloses that another Cleric will make use of it in the future. The Pious Princess prompts him to kneel and anoints his shoulders with her blade, then urges him to rise as a holy knight of Kord and to bring honor to all. An appreciative Garrus thanks her and leaves to rejoin the others.
Amidaeus leads the charge, as she rushes in from the flank. The Vivacious Vampire viciously vivisects the Voracious Vulture. Lupin also attacks with her Cunning Criminal’s close quarter combat skills. A bold Mortos steps directly in front of the beast. The Deadly Druid dares to deploy his most powerful daily spell, but fails (bad roll of the die).
To be continued? ? ?
Due to the spike in Omnicrom/Covid, the unfortunate decision was made to return to virtual sessions. It was a long week and players were tired. In the comfort of their own homes, players began to doze off toward the end. Deciding to end the session early, we forgot the puns. Sent via our text thread, here they are.
HORRIBLE REQUIRED READING PUNS
1: Battle and Truce.*
2: Murder an Avian.**
3: Rodents and Humans.***
4: Tiny Females.****
5: More Than 450 Degrees.*****
6: Self-Esteem and Racism.******
7: Hippy Ceramics Maker.*******
8: Big Brother is Watching.********
9: Non-Human Ranch.*********
10: God of the Circles.**********
11: God of the Insects.***********
12: Spelling Spider.************
13: Fruits of Anger.*************
14: Feline, Mage, and Closet.**************
Lupin got a history in the politics of the United from her Uncle, while trying to see if a civil war could be averted. Though she may have had some mistrust with the United, she did admit that General Sterling was always fair to them. Garrus’ building inner turmoil caused a temporary loss of faith. In a heartfelt bit of roleplaying, his conversation with Epiphany not only renewed his faith but sent him in a new direction as a Paladin of Kord. Dimva departed with the Vikings, but not before he pulled one last scam with his pony on Stormy. Seeing the player barter with himself was a bravo performance. Stormy didn’t seem to impress The Heroes with his resume so far. Let’s hope they don’t hold the fireball incident against him. Erith’s denial of his part in the merchant’s murder was quite hilarious. Rhonda had to keep reminding him of his active participation in the hemoglobin homicide. Amidaeus’ bon mots were especially delicious this session. Laughing about villagers carrying torches and pitchforks is only funny until it comes true. She was also the first to fearlessly charge the Owlbear. Maybe being a Vampire is making her more courageous. Ffion’s pragmatic approach to General Sterling’s assassination helped to prepare the others that Dimva may very well be the murderer. She also pointed out that they may have a difficult decision ahead if he is indeed guilty. The battle with the Owlbears proved that she can dispense damage as well as healing. Mortos still seems to be enthralled with the prospect of ruling Hell. Much to the puzzlement of the rest of The Heroes. Eager to transmogrify into General Sterling, it’s a pity that the others talked him out of it. Who knows what shenanigans he would cause as leader of the United? Bravo to all!!!
* Battle and Truce: War and Peace.
** Murder an Avian: To kill a Mockingbird.
*** Rodents and Humans: Of Mice and Men.
**** Tiny Females: Little Women.
***** More Than 450 Degrees: Fahrenheit 451.
****** Self-Esteem and Racism: Pride and Prejudice.
******* Hippy Ceramics Maker: Harry Potter.
******** Big Brother is Watching: 1984.
********* Non-Human Ranch: Animal Farm.
********** God of the Circles: Lord of the Rings.
********** God of the Insects: Lord of the Flies.
************ Spelling Spider: Charlotte’s Web.
*********** Fruits of Anger: Grapes of Wrath.
************** Feline, Mage and Closet: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Next: Chapter 61 - Road Less Traveled
Previous: Chapter 59 - Choices & Consequences