Session 1 Plan

## Overview

"We begin our tale in distant lands, where slowly disparate lives are beginning to intertwine. Welcome to the Crowndom of Toria. Ruled by a wise Queen and run by the many nobles beneath her, Toria is a land rich with magic, resources and wealth. It is vast, with a history that stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Out story though, is much smaller than that. We focus in on the small village of Deron's Fall. A farming community set on the banks of the Oreson river, and to the north of the Twigthistle Forest. It's people are content, happy and peaceable. Like most Torians, they are a practical people, feeling pride only after a solid day's work.

It's around this village we begin our story. Let's see who we start with.

## Chester Willow

We zoom out a little ways past the village, on the road travelling from the north. The air is warm, but not too humid as summer begins to fade into autumn. Focusing in we see a small campsite - a one man tent slightly larger than usual, alongside a bed of coals long since extinguished.

Kenz, you wake up to the sound of birds chirping and flitting around the forest. The air smells fresh and clean, especially this close to the river. You're about half a day's journey from Deron's Fall, on your way to meet your business colleague Iados, to repair his broken instrument. Would you mind describing Chester for us as he get's ready for the day?

Once finished, begins walking down the path. Make a perception check for me - DC 10

Succeed, your keen ears hear the sounds of struggle ahead. Nothing violent, but more like someone doing harder labour then they're used to.

Fail, the sounds of birds stay with you, and you hear the noises of farm hands and animals in the fields.

Walking along, you come upon a man with a broken cart. A wheel that's hit a pot hole and jarred it quite badly. This is Nathan (mid-thirties, hardy, dark brown hair and moustache. Metal bracer. voice - indirect and soft spoken). He's carrying trade from Middencrest to Deron's Fall - boxes of small goods and some tools. Nathan's in a bind. What do you want to do?

Succeed on repairing the cart - Nathan offers a ride. His horses are sturdy and can easily take the weight. You'll arrive in Deron's Fall sooner than expected!

Fail: Nathan says he'll need to leave the cart here, but can pack the more expensive goods on his horse. If Chester wants to help carry some things, Nathan will pay him for his trouble. Otherwise, Chester can keep walking into town.

Arrive in Deron's Fall, to look for where Iados might be staying. Make another perception check for me.

Succeed or fail, your keen sense of smell. Something's burning and it's close. You hear shouts - it could be a building. What do you do?

## Alyelor Ebrose

We zoom out from the village into the edge of the Twigthistle forest, a little way from the village center. Here we see a well made, homely hut and stable, set in a forest clearing on top of a hill overlooking the village. Set around this hut are targets for archery and throwing daggers. A horse neighs gently as the morning breeze hits it's nose.

Panesha, you walk up with a groan. It's going to be a busy day today. Would you mind describing Alyelor as she gets ready for the day? What's her morning routine? Horse is polite and stocky.

You know that today will be busy. You've got an appointment with Daalia Morris, Deron's Fall's Booksmith and de-facto leader, to discuss some odd-looking tracks you noticed the other day. But that's later.

Morning scouting - make a survival check for me. Succeed, you notice more of the strange tracks, deeper within the forest. They seem like those of a traveller, but they're half covered and confusing. They appear in bursts.

Fail - you don't notice anything unusual, other than the bird song and warm air.

Do you want to head into town?

Deron's Fall - a village of roughly 400. A village green in the middle, surrounded by shops and two inns; the Copper Barn and Twiggy's Inn. A single stone statue, well looked after, sits in the middle of the green. You head deeper into the town to find Hanging Words, Daalia's bookstore and business.

See some travellers, not uncommon. Seems a little more busy than usual.

Daalia Morris - mid-fifties, motherly but somewhat stern. Blonde hair turning white, a smattering of wrinkles across her face. She has a find signet ring on one hand. She's not married - too addicted to work. Practical minded (voice - pressing, older lady, using idioms like stamp out, rewrite, old ink, tattered books)

Tracks: Daalia doesn't know any kind of creature that moves around like that, appearing and disappearing, but promises to look into it. She has a lot of old books here, and knows that Alyelor's not that interested. Her father was the reader, and a good man.

Make a perception check. Here the sounds of crying out, sounds you recognise as distress.

## Iados Matenoa (Ahmon)

We zoom into Deron's Fall's second largest home for travellers, a place called Twiggy's Inn. It's an older tavern, built from stone, wood and brick, with a set of lilac purple roofing tiles. We see a room within this Inn, a one bed affair with a desk in the corner and a chest near the door. A coat's been thrown over the desk, and various instruments line the wall, carefully placed.

Izzy, you wake up to the early morning sounds of bustle outside, the little village slowly coming alive as travellers come through. Perhaps one of them is Chester, with the tools and knowledge to help repair your busted flute, as well as checking over your weaponry. Would you mind describing Iados as he gets ready?

It's the end of the work week, so they'll be a good crown tonight at either here or the larger tavern, the Copper Barn. Go downstairs for some breakfast.

See Erin Summers (half-elf - mid-thirties but looks younger. Kind, tries seeing the best in people. Voice- floaty, soft, airy. Metal necklace) there, she welcomes you. You've been staying in the village for a few days, so she's gotten to know you.

Make a perception check for me.

See a group of odd-dressed people in the tavern corner. Succeed - you notice they're carrying instruments. Not uncommon, especially due to the flow of travel. What do you want to do?

Nothing - one of the minstrils notices you and comes over. Make a History check. Succeed - you recognise this man, though you've never met him. He's elven, so narrow features and thin frame. That, plus the lute he has strapped to his back, and his outfit dappled in stripes. He's known as the Minstrel, not famous, but well-known in the local towns you've travelled through.

Minstril (welcoming and dramatic, likes a challenge - voice snarky, charismatic and charming) He and his band mates will be playing at the Copper Barn this evening. Welcome to join, or to play a musical dual.

If Iados challenges him now, roll performance. If he does well, the Minstril congratulates him, maybe says he'll live up to the King of Bards one day. Poorly, says it's all good. Fine performance takes time, after all.

If decides to leaves, him and the bandmates stay. If wants to stay, they'll leave to practice. Can't give away too much. Trade secret.

Either way, you wait for Chester as the birds and bustle pick up. Eventually though, you hear the screams of fire, and see the smoke billowing into the air.

## Cobble

We zoom out along the western road, to a small ring of mercantile caravans and tents in an empty paddock, set around the remnants of a campfire. The caravans are simple affairs, draped with coverings of blue, white and tan colours. A few Kottur, the cat-like humanoids that inhabit Toria, are walking around the campsite, on patrol and checking their merchandise. It's a peaceful land, but you can never be too careful.

Annalise, you walk up to the sound of this bustle, alone in your one-woman tent. It's light out, but you're almost to Deron's Fall. Would you mind describing your character and what they get up to in the morning?

Your parents made the decision to camp a little way west, so that goods for trade could be packed up this afternoon. Find them, they're starting to move some boxes and spices around, deciding on what's most practical. Ever since returning to the merchant business, your parents and siblings haven't been very daring - making safe choices.

Your Father, Cenn (large Kottur, soft reddish mane. Thin and lithe, with a few grey hairs. Practical, careful mindset. Voice - slower, deliberate. Deepish) and Mother, Elsa (smaller, lithe Kottur. wears a scarf around her forehead. Metal bracelets. Voice - slow, but light. Floaty) meet you in the morning. They want you to go ahead into town to see how busy it is, what kind of people are there for trading. Last time they were here, there was a small bandit attack, so there wasn't much trading to be done. Maybe some more bandits to rough up, hey?

Depending on roleplay, make a deception, persuasion or intimidation check to follow them and get out of their hair.

On the road into the town, pass a few other travellers of various sorts. Mostly farmers coming in for supplies. make a perception check. See one man jostle a few others around - you think he just stole some coin (success). Human man, dressed in rough black leathers with an axe on his hip. Brown hair and straggling beard. Depending on what happens, have the man relent and return the coin. He doesn't' want to fight.

This is Voros Glenn (deep, weary voice. Doesn't have much good equipment. Metal is his axe). Opportunity for the character to show there savage side.

Arrive in town and see the smoke. Here the screams

## Burning Inn

The Copper Barn is on fire! Thankfully, it's mostly empty this early in the day, but smoke is pouring out of the bottom windows. All four of you walk into the village green at roughly the same time, seeing the patrons running away. Some of the few Gleaming Guardsmen in Deron's Fall are running to get water.

I'll have you all roll initiative. What are you going to do?

Part way through, a flaming shape steps through the door. It looks human, but it's eyes are dots of orange light, it's limbs blazing and it's mouth screaming like a bushfire. Do you attack?

When combat ends, either the elemental vanishes due to the lack of fire or is killed by the party.

Inside the Copper Barn you find a tube on a successful Investigation or Perception Check. It's stamped with the common symbol used by the Storage, the goods store in town. It has a note to Deliver to the Old tanner's home.

If they go to the Storage, there's a man there threatening to kill Old Logan, the main shop runner. Assassin.

If they go to the Old Tanner's home, they find the assassin there, trying to escape. He will attempt to fight, but will refuse to answer any questions.

Investigating the Old Tanner's home reveals a few sets of clothing and abandoned bags, like the occupants left in a hurry. The assassin was the last one, waiting to tidy up loose ends and the one who started the fire.

Further inspection reveals a strip of cloth and hasty footprints retreating into the forest. Party follows, make a stealth check and Survival check while moving through. Pit trap is revealed.

Come across the cave, where you hear noises coming from within. Sounds like people talking.

Walk in, you'll find people in travelling clothes dressed similarly to the assassin, with masks over their faces. Roll initiative.

Depending on what happens, learn the following information:

* Strangers in town, not local
* One was the Minstril's bandmate, the other is a woman you don't recognise.
* Carrying 50gp between them.

Go back and inform the guards about what you found. Seems to be a distraction maybe? Or an attack. The spies will not show any remorse for the attack or any harm they may have caused, and will refuse any investigation, only saying it was a rich benefactor. Someone called Duster.

End session around here.

## Actual session

Izzy met with the Minstril in the bar, who opted to challenge him at the Copper Barn that evening. Went outside to practice, but rolled poorly. Another band member gave him a look. He played better, then pointed to the man, who had amassed a crowd of people at that time.

Kenz started with chester - 3 coin discs around his arm. Tried to help farmer Nathan, but rolled two nat 1s. First on figuring out what happened, the second to pick up the wheel. Broke the wheel, then decided to use a barrel as the wheel, temporarily. Succeeded, and let the farmer go into the distance before heading into the city.

Panesha, long hair with hetrochromic eyes. Rode her horse Copper and checked the tracks - found them strange. Saw Daalia (Jasper the skittish clerk). Daalia consoled her, asking when they'll see her down for a festival. Also said that disappearing tracks could be magical in nature.

Cobble, a rift in her family - parents know she doesn't like the trade. Rolled a one, asked that they have tomatos. No vegetables in the caravan. On the road, stole back the money from Voros Glenn and tried to give it to the farmer and his son. They were confused, thinking she robbed them and gave it back.

In the fight with the flame elemental, saved Eldric Hallow first. Chester frightened, Alyelor starts a bucket chain, Cobble helps. Ahmon uses detect magic, discerns the magical source. Chester runs in, seeing the injured innkeeper and a wall of fire. Alyelor follows, trying to help Eldric out. Cobble runs in next and unleashes a cloudy thunderwave, slamming the fire back. Creature is revealed, of flickering flame and humanoid in shape. Ahmon rushes in next and gets up close (taking no damage) and casts thaumaturgy, dimming the flames.

Chester picks up Eldric and gets him outside. Tries to punch the doorframe to make it wider for him. Clocks himself on the head and clotheslines. Eldric is safe though. Aleyor shoots the elemental through the eye. Cobble uses thornwhip, doing damage but not grabbing him. Aemon then uses thunderwave as well, creating a shill tone through his broken flute. Creature tries to attack but misses, also doing no fire damage again.

Chester then runs back inside and hefts a cask of ale at the creature, dealing damage and narrowly missing Ahmon. Using hunters mark, Alyelor narrowly misses the creature. Cobble then uses her movement to run out, grab some water, run back and splashes it on the creature. It cries out from that. Ahmon then draws his longsword and hits, dealing three damage. The elemental rears up and strikes, hitting Ahmon and striking Cobble's shield.

Seeing his friend hurt, Chester goes into a rage. It's quiet. He leaps over the bar and strikes with a natural 20. Deals significant damage, cleaving the creature in two. Then Alyelor rears up and shoots the creature straight in it's eye. It was rearing up for another explosive charge, but all the white hot heat coalesces around the arrow before dissipating in an explosion of light. It leaves the shadow of a humanoid behind in soot.

Introductions to each other and thanks. Ahmon finds the scroll, after flinging a king of bard card at the soot and drinking an ale, singed as he is. Chester picks up the ale, rinses the cup and begins picking up debris. Examined the scroll case, recognise it as a spell of fire elemental summoning and Alyelor recognises the mark of the Storage. it Gleaming Guard walk in. Paunchy, middle aged. Not intimidated too much by Ahmon, but don't notice the markings on the scroll. The younger does recognise the remnants of the elemental, but can't read.

Chester asks to help them with paperwork too, due to his heritage. They walk out and see the crowd. Alyelor checks the innkeep and tells the crowd to disperse. They do so. Cobble leaves quickly, but spies the dark clad man walking away. Alyelor sees Daalia Morris in the crowd, and swear she sees another of the strange tracks. Chester is satisfied at saving the life of the innkeep. Ahmon sees the Minstrel in the crowd, giving a look of appreciation and also maybe taking it to far. Ahmon questions the innkeep, but rolled low. He was downstairs at the time, didn't see who it was who releases the spell.

## NPC's

* Edric Hallow: Beefy, slightly overweight Kottur. Head of the Copper Barn. Merry fellow, booming voice. Optimist. Wears a metal circlet.
* Lynette Hallow: Thin, but strong Kottur. Edric's wife. Correcting, the practicality half of her husbands optimist. Wears a metal circlet.
* Old Logan: Old hand shop keeper. Been doing this a long time, and seen the ins and outs of Deron's Fall.
* Ayan: Young farm boy, eager eyed but scared. Wants to be a Knight one day. Patchy beard.
* Jasper: Traveller from out of town. On his way to Middencrest. Thick brunette moustache and squeaky voice.
* Evie: Barmaid at either inn. Black hair, stocky build. Bit quiet, with a scar running from nose to chin.
* Vic: Minstril's bandmate, whiny voice. Blond hair and goatee and too fine skin
* Halley: Other spy. Red hair, dark skin. Emerald eyes, a simple of Canaren blood. Gruff tone of voice, smokers style
* Thomas
* Bry
* Jameson