A Tour of Hupperdook

## Session 8: A Day Off

4 Dualahei 836 PD

The character awakens the next day feeling their muscles ache from the previous day’s endeavours and proceed with their individual morning rituals. Llunet strolls through the waking city to observe the common folk, and climbs high in Hupperdook to sketch. Korvok purchases some food for Moody and while running his errands overhears that machinery in the Armavault had been stolen the previous night. Morrigan stays at The Drinking Pin with Hartmut to discuss her name and Hartmut’s dream over breakfast. Hartmut confronts Morrigan about his dream of hers and whether she can fly, she says he must have seen her dream through Corvid's eyes. Hartmut drops the topic, seemingly satisfied.

Morrigan meditates alone in her room before ordering a plain oatmeal for herself and plenty of bacon for Komani. Moss stays in bed today.

After the party reconvene at the inn, they are surprised to see that Tasani has put the Kobold they had taken prisoner from Stahlmast’s lair to work. Tasani notes Morrigan looking rough (by Morrigan standards) and brings her a stiff drink of.. everything. A refreshed Yinra meets with them and expresses his gratitude with some (50gp) gold he acquired from selling his equipment and a magical pouch of spices. The party continues conversation with Yinra about his plans. He suggests he is off to join The Righteous Brand, but the group (Llunet Korvok and Morrigan) convince him to travel first, namely to the Menagerie Coast. He asks for places to go and Korvok tells him he is welcome in Othe if he mentions his name. Llunet also offers him work on the ship, The Troll's Bride, at the mention of hers.

They decide to spend some time transposing all the stolen notes from Stahlmast before handing them over to Bram which they complete.

The group find out the identity of Korvok's mother Livada who both Hartmut and Morrigan have heard of.

Yinrah reveals he is from Bysaes Tyl and his parents were "not part of the Ring of 3"

Hartmut reveals a neck tattoo that roughly translates to "strength in community".

Bram turns up to collect evidence. The group give him the papers, the testimony of Yinrah and Stahlmast's skull. Bram is very pleased with the group (especially Hartmut and Morrigan) and gives the party 1250gp. He also speaks to the group about the Armavault break-in and suggests Dunomancy was utilised to steal the machinery. Hartmut and Morrigan have both individually promised to keep an eye on the group for Bram - they appear to have pretty different motivations for this.

After speaking to a distressed Tasani, the party discovers that she lacks the license to run a tavern, claiming that she is required to pay The Crown 1500gp for the license to run such an establishment. She had hoped that Harlow would have left Sootswallow by now, and she would have left Hupperdook with him. Korvok had tried to reassure her by offering to check on Harlow.

With the gold burning a hole in their pocket the gang stepped out for some shopping. First to the Lay of the Land Herbalism shop. Llunet bought paper, ink and herbs. Morrigan bought some herbs for spell casting and for creating health potions that her and Moss are to work on. Zendasa tries to make up for their first awkward encounter by telling Morrigan that real inner beauty is most important and that she's sure whatever she is trying to hide, her companions won't care about. Morrigan freezes wide eyed, laughs a little too forcefully, drops her coin and leaves swiftly. Llunet follows after and Korvok asks Zendasa some questions finding out that the \*real\* Sons of Sigma had recently shopped at the herbalist also.

The next shop they hit is Stoutblock Stone’s Jewellery, a jeweller where Morrigan eyes off a beautiful gold and ruby necklace. The Gnome who owned the shop had her try it on noting how beautiful it looked on her. It cost 900gp and Morrigan knew she couldn't afford it. The jeweller imagined it to be worn by the Ruby of the Sea and Morrigan agreed it was worthy of such a beauty.

The party then visit Griffon’s Scriptorium where they browse numerous secondhand books. Click through for specifics purchased across session 8 and 9.

## Session 9: Bango Skank

4 Dualahei 836 PD

The session begins in the bookstore, where Korvok asks Karuma, the owner, if he has any books on the Bonds of Bedlam. While Karuma doesn't recognise the name, a description of Mara Jezebeth immediately sparks recognition. She has visited the store recently, to buy high quality parchment and inks. Korvok is unsettled by this and leaves without buying anything, giving Karuma a tip which he clearly finds rude and low.

While most of the others browse the books, Morrigan leaves to look for the Blushing Tankard, or any live music she can find.

Komani does not read, but identifies a set of runes from her sword on a poster inside the shop. Karuma is able to help, with Llunet's assistance, translate a section of the writings.

Meanwhile Hartmut purchases a book on the gliders made by Clef Tinkertop. Moss buys two fiction books about tieflings and elves fighting (both in infernal, which she cannot read). Llunet purchases a handful of books in draconic to investigate Komani's sword further.

The party leave the bookstore and everyone except Korvok heads straight to the Blushing Tankard. On the way they find missing persons posters for a Clockworker's Guild member who has been missing for 6 months. The remaining party members wander through a marketplace, down Bubbleday Lane and \_\_\_ Lane. Hartmut purchases some souvenir patches with local flora on it and gives everyone one when he sees them. Generally the colours are extremely clashing with their outfits except Morrigan, who it matches perfectly. Hartmut buys a wind-up bear toy made purely mechanically. Komani buys another three animals (owlbear, wolf, goat (?)), enamoured with them.

Korvok has, unbenownst to the rest of the party, returned to the Drinking Pin, picked up Moody and the Kobold and gone north-east to the woods. Once far enough into the dense woods, Korvok knocks the Kobold unconscious and leaves a few days rations behind. He then rides back to the Drinking Pin and sees that Tasani is understaffed and under pressure (with no Kobold assisting her) so he decides to lend a hand. Not too long he sights a familiar face in the tavern - his younger sister Linok. She tells him that their home village was raided by Gnolls but everyone managed to fend them off. Linok is in town following a lead that suggests that the remaing Gnoll raiders are somewhere between between Berleben and Hupperdook.

Korvok offers to help and Linok begrudgingly accepts. Kovork and Linok leave the Drinking Pin to head to the Blushing Tankard to meet up with the rest of the party where introductions are made.

Meanwhile, Morrigan has entered the Blushing Tankard, met the performer for that evening, a Miss Bango Skank. Bango Skank is Belrond Seaclay's drag name/alter ego. Belrond reveals himself before using illusory magic to again maintain her stage appearance, and comments on Morrigan doing the same. She invites Morrigan to perform with her, as the party members from the markets trail in. Morrigan doesn't know the song but plays well. Komani assists somewhat with her horn, from the crowd. When asked where she learned to play Morri says 'back home' extremely vaguely.

Hartmut mentions he was born on the holiday of Erathis, the 22nd Quen'Pillar. Says 'it is a coincidence'. Asks about others birthdays. Moss says she was born around the Harvest Close. Llunet asks what she means 'around' and Moss clarifies her family don't do birthdays. This devolves into other people asking about Moss' weird family dynamics and she reveals her mother died when she was 10, and she was raised by her 300 year old sister, in 'a nice house'. Says her family are farmers (sort of) so dates don't matter as much as seasons. Brags about the dyes they make, and she used to sell.

Korvok and Linok arrive at the Blushing Tankard and join the group. The party are pretty excited to meet Linok, she accuses Korvok of becoming fat since he left. Linok says she protected their home town of Othe from Gnolls after Korvok left. During a discussion with Korvok's new friends discussing why Korvok left Othe, Linok says "Maybe men leave" before Korvok interjects - "I did something to piss someone off" (referring to stealing Mara Jezebeth's spell book).

Linok may fancy Morrigan. Morrigan may fancy Linok.

## Session 10:

The party find themselves becoming increasingly tipsy in the Blushing Tankard. Morrigan is disappointed to see Linok and Belrond disappear upstairs to his room.

Hartmut is hit the hardest by the two pints. Moss (who is very interested in reasons people would leave their homes) asks Korvok when and why he left Othe. He says 'very young' and does not clarify. When suggested otherwise, Morrigan says she does not know Belrond any more than the rest of the party. Komani looks for someone to best in some form of competition but finds no one is worth fighting.

A table of gnomes glare at the Party when they order a second (in some cases third) bowl of Dampfnudel. They have the record for most bowls eaten in a sitting and challenge us. They put up a good fight, but between Hartmut distracting them, Morrigan eating two bowls with cunning strategy, Moss being a bear for this, Komani's size and appetite and Llunet's love of the dish, they did not stand a chance. When pressed to give a name for the award on the wall, the party faltered and decided to just not. There is a small risk of them being known as the Dampfnudels.

The party raced the wind-up animals (for 40gp that Hartmut put forwards and ended up also winning back.)

Irena at the Blushing Tankard suggested the party go to the Donkknob Park and see Lilly and her Mechanical Bull.

Morrigan snuck upstairs to see Belrond and Linok, as Belrond had requested via the Message spell. They were talking, while Belrond bathed. It appears that they did not bang (although who knows) and Belrond asked for a raincheck. Morri returned to the party put out, who then all left the Tavern. Heading out to the fireworks and festivities at Donkknob Park.

The party checked out the festivities, largely by following Hartmut around as he noticed points of interest, He gave all his own money to Moss to hold (because he trusts her) and all the group funds to Llunet (because she is mysterious but knowledgeable). Komani also handed Moss her money, which Moss held awkwardly the rest of the night.

Hartmut saw glowing Pogo Sticks and was tempted until the vendor mentioned that the mechanism used to bounce better and had been limited. The vendor also tried to halve the price, which Hartmut saw as a sign they were never worth 10 gold in the first place. While they were talking Llunet attached a rope to Hartmut's belt, so he wouldn't sneak off.

A kindly passer by noticed the rope and attempted to remove it, getting very close to Hartmut's person. They were extremely helpful until Hartmut mentioned he wasn't carrying cash, when they immediately left and stopped helping, leaving a knife that 'was their dads' behind.

Moss bought a brightly coloured mystery pouch to inspect the dye and fabric, and it immediately dissolved and left her with a temporary horn enchanted to her forehead. The party asked what would happen if she wildshaped and Morrigan suggested she should be a horse. Obliging, she briefly shifted to look like a unicorn. Morrigan suggested selling rides, and Moss freaked out a little, but not quite enough to throw off the child that was put on her. Komani took pity and removed the child, while Llunet shooed away the rest of the queue that had quickly formed. At some point Hartmut successfully snuck away from the group, but was quickly spotted as the majority of revelers are Gnomes, making him stand out in the distance.

Sobering up somewhat, Hartmut found a beer garden, realised he was penniless and began drinking the half empty leftover beers around the tables. The party caught up. Moss tried to offer him something better from a bottle in her bag instead and he said he 'didn't want something better' and wandered off again. Llunet found a quiet spot to sit and used her familliar to monitor the party more efficiently. Morrigan headed home alone very tired and underwhelmed. Komani drank half of whatever Moss had and rode the mechanical bull (very well then very poorly, in quick succession). Sobering up somewhat, the rest of the group started to head home too. Llunet & Korvok rode the lift, while Komani, Moss and Hartmut ventured down the tall stairs. Halfway down they found an unconscious drunk man who Hartmut wanted to help. They roused him with healing spells and water, and then he fell asleep again.

Returning to the Drinking Pin, Komani half carried Hartmut to bed. Llunet and Moss spoke for a little while. Moss tried to find out more about Llunet and did not get far. Moss asked about the Ruidis Dream and borrowed the book about the sacrificial wishing trees. Llunet said she has a (living, non-tree) brother, and asked for further information about the dream. Moss complied to the best of her ability. Llunet asked about Moss' siblings, and whether they got along. Moss talked about her sibling Sorrel for a while.

When pressed, Llunet said she was from Bysaes Tyl, proper. It's been 'around a decade' since she was last there, so Moss would have been a child at the time. Moss mentioned working in the markets around that time, and Llunet said she knew a Lenore who is a seamstress who may have been at the markets but Lenore is sheltered. Her grandmother did not trust the Empire and Lenore had inherited the paranoia and suspicion of outsiders. Moss mentioned that it's not paranoia to not trust the Empire and the conversation pivoted somewhat to who we trusted. Moss says it's difficult to know - that Hartmut seems very nice but he's extremely trusting of the Guard. She's not sure how he'd react if he knew that she and her family worship an unapproved God, for example. Llunet expressed that Hartmut seemed quite sheltered, like Lenore, and would perhaps change.

Llunet asked more information from Moss and found that her family were working to lift the curse of the Savalirwoods, and have been pushing it back for years now. Moss has never been, it's something for elders and highly respected members of the group. They're hoping to save the woods and reclaim the lost elven city of Molaesmyr. Moss got excited talking about how it represented the greatest empire of all time and was a noble goal and Llunet immediately asked if Moss would be allowed to join them. Moss got weird about it. Llunet asked if Moss had thought about it before and Moss became defensive. Moss says it doesn't matter, it's a noble goal regardless - it might not be completed in her lifetime anyway. Face red, intent on changing the subject, Moss dragged Komani into the conversation after spotting her at the bar.

Llunet's attention successfully diverted for now, she encouraged Komani to talk. Komani told the group about her Horn Markings and how they marked her for leadership, over the Horn Lord's several sons in line. To stop Komani from taking on the Horn Lord, Komani's Tentmother had dropped her off a cliff to the base of the mountain, and she was thrown signs and totems from the people closest to her. "They wanted her to be there" like a sign. She'll get stronger and prove herself.

She also had a sister - who left before she was named, so before 15 or 16. Her sister was a better student, like her father, who took to his training better.

Llunet completed the translation of Komani's sword from the charcoal rubbing Moss took. Moss read it aloud (The Lurker) and it did not immediately make sense to anyone present. Komani says her dad mentioned fighting a great beast (perhaps a serpent) with the sword before, but kept it quiet as it was a boast that would challenge the Horn Lord - which he did not want to do at the time. While she inspects the sword she murmurs in giant and everyone at the table feels a strange vibration. When they look at Komani she has the shadow/echoes again. She is uncomfortable with this and suggests the sword is magical. Llunet counters that maybe the magic comes from Komani herself. Komani seems discomforted by this.

Moss leaves for bed, still uncomfortable with what they spoke about. She finds Morrigan, in bed, pretending to be asleep while waiting for a message from Belrond.

Llunet and Komani have a brief discussion where Llunet asks whether Komani would like for her to research the Lurker, the sword and the magic Komani seems to possess. Komani appears worried that if she has magic, it will mean she won't be able to challenge the Hornlord on an even footing. Llunet suggests that as Komani has the horn markings that mark her for leadership, maybe the magic is the same. Komani finishes her drink and follows Moss. Llunet spends 4 hours learning the spell Nystul's Magic Aura from the scroll they found. When she goes to bed she finds Linok in the bed on the other side of her room with a dagger kept in her hand when she sleeps.

## Session 11

The party wake and head downstairs to the taproom one by one. Hartmut is extremely hung over. They're chatting about what to do for the day when they hear a crash upstairs. Linok appears, holding her boots which have been tied together by Korvok while she slept. She snatches Korvok's drink and joins them at the table. Korvok asks if Linok has been to Rexxentrum. She says no. He says it might be a good idea. Hartmut begins extremely listlessly trying to untie the knotted bootlaces, using magehand, his head still flat against the table.

Moss suggests the party go to the fighting pits. They explain the situation between Tasani and Harlowe, her beau, and Linok starts teasing Korvok. She calls him 'a love doctor'. The party ask about her romantic history and she refuses to tell them anything. Linok tries to get Korvok alone to talk, and the party eavesdrop unsubtly. Linok wants to go fight gnolls without the party. "Don't want a situation like our cousin, who would weigh us down. We work better without him."

Soon she notices they're being listened to and moves back over, frustratedly. She tells them about cultist signs preceeding the gnoll attacks, and how the survivors are twitchy and violent. She mentions working for Belrond now, and how he wanted to hire the Sons of Sigma. Hartmut suggests telling her the truth about the Sons. Everyone at the table looks uncomfortable. Hartmut invokes that Linok is family and Moss immediately tells the whole deal.

Belrond comes and talks outside to Morrigan for a long time. Belrond is also interested in the Gnoll thing and wants to solve it. Believes there is work to be done in Felderwin, about a week's travel south from Hupperdook. He gives us a lead about a survivor named Marvir. There is also news of potential cultist behaviour along the Gravelway Path, strange animal corpses.

The party decide to head to Marvir's workplace, the Firemark Facility, and talk to Sleece Firemark. Sleece lets them know that Marvir has been let go. He had been extremely aggressive, shouting and growling. He usually stays at The Merry Wrench, a tavern in the Idleworks Shelf. Sleece gives us a description of Marvir to work with.

The party leave and drop by Clef Tinkertop's workshop, which is abandoned. The crownsguard have arrested the Tinkertops on suspicion of theft of warmachines from the Armavault. Hartmut storms off to Bram Gunchswattle's office, confident he can fix this obvious mistake. Moss, Morrigan & Llunet trail behind him.

Korvok and Komani decide to go ahead and travel to the fighting pits, as they'd originally planned. They have an easy time gaining entrance to The Dented Mettle, and Korvok finds an old acquaintance named Udoth working there. Korvok heads to the bar and spots a gnome man surrounded by women. They're laughing at a letter he's holding. It becomes extremely clear that this is Harlowe, and he has been toying with Tasani. He's making fun of her love letters with these women. Korvok returns to Komani and explains the situation. They're both mad about it.

Komani is disappointed to find the fighting pit is set up for battles between Automatons, although there are signs of creatures also fighting there. A fire genasi named Scoria is working on an automaton of some sort. Komani notices a hooded creature which almost resembles the description of Marvir, trying to convince Scoria to let him fight her automaton. When that doesn't go anywhere, he tries to challenge Komani. Komani calls him Marvir and he tries to bolt, but she is able to stop him. Udoth kicks team KoKo out, at Harlowe's request. Whispers to Korvok that they should return on Welson Night, the password is "Rebirth".

Meanwhile Hartmut has reached Bram's office and demanded he fix the obvious mistake of arresting good people. Bram doesn't move to help, although he appears to agree that they're not usual suspects. He mentions that 'Martinet Ludinus' will take over their machines and contracts now, and that gives the cerberus assembly an excuse to increase their control of Hupperdook. As the others catch up, Hartmut bounces off again, heading into the prison to talk to Rissa and Clef. Hartmut asks Clef and Rissa whether they've ever used dunomancy - seemingly confident they will say no. A muddled Clef seems to suggest he has used it in the past, but without much success. While Clef is talking, Moss tries to sneak black powder and a flint through to Rissa. Rissa is horrified and hands it back. Moss may have been seen by Bram, possibly, but no one else.

The party reconvene (no idea where we were for this part - later we talk about going back to the Drinking Pin?). Komani is carrying Marvir. They set him down and question him. He invokes 'The Beast of Butchery', a demon of some sort which Morrigan appears to know of. She runs straight to the Blushing Tankard to gather Linok and Belrond. Hartmut follows, but is much slower than her.

Marvir pleads with the group to attack him, which he says will soothe his hunger. He bites Korvok - Komani knocks him out. Moss immediately heals Korvok's bite, alarmed by all the talk of people attacked by gnolls changing. Moss and Llunet try to detect magic, poison and disease on Marvir, and find instead he has traces of a divine blessing or curse.

Belrond and Linok arrive back with Morrigan and Hartmut, and inspect Marvir. Marvir tells the group his story. He was trying to trade with Firbolgs from Crispvale but was attacked by the gnolls. His group ran, but they all died. "I watched a dog-man tear out my innards" and then was fed the flesh of the others. "All the black powder, gone". He ran back to Hupperdook.

Linok pales a little at this and says that her father began to look like Marvir after the gnoll attack. Korvok had no idea he was unwell. Linok has locked their father in the cellar so he can't hurt anyone. Their mother - Livada doesn't know. Korvok is mad about it, says the reason he left was to find Lo'Vah and not to bring repercussions home.

Linok suggests their cousin Drull could possibly cure Marvir, (and therefore their father). Moss suggests her family in Bysaes Tyl - or Sage, if they can find him nearer. Others suggest locking Marvir away in prison.

The Hanscoff Mine and Denard Hanscoff could be involved. The mine has stopped producing.

## Session 12: Downtime

Dualahei 5th - 12th

Hartmut gets a letter from his father and Leofric, his brother. Dad wants Hartmut to return with wife. Brother wants him to return to care for dad. Hartmut's mum was adventurous, unlike his dad.

The party help build a defense for the Tinkertops - that their crafting was so great that dangerous people would go to great lengths to steal it. Hartmut argues passionately for them [Inspired by Emma? Used to have dinner with her. Emma is persuasive. Metaknowledge, he didn't talk about any of this out loud] and they are released, and have reclaimed their workshop. The Cerberus Assembly have been somewhat pushed out of Hupperdook by this, but are keeping a close eye on the Tinkertops and the Town.

Rissa and Clef gifted the party a worn carriage and mechanical horse to pull it. While it's not in the best condition, it can be upgraded, and is legitimately owned by the party. There is a blank spot on the doors, where a name and crest would go, several of the party members have been thinking on this during the week.

The party investigate Sootswallow Inn on the night Korvok's friend Udoth suggested, and bet on the Automaton Fighting Ring inside. Komani wins, by betting on every bot, and comes out exactly even.

Korvok approaches Moss to ask her to help break the news of Harlowe's infidelity with Tasani. She agrees, and takes the chance to ask Korvok about potential criminal contacts who could help hunt Sage while the group are otherwise occupied. He gives her the names of Corinn - a Xhorhassian halfling bounty hunter, and Kayna Trillia from Trostenwald. Moss asks him to contact Kayna, as she doubts Sage would be in Xhorhas.

They go inside and immediately talk to Tasani - Moss leads, with help from Korvok. Tasani throws off her apron and marches directly to Sootswallow. She is trailed by Moss and Korvok in case she needs help - but it's immediately clear she doesn't. She finds Harlowe, tells him where he can stick it, and empties his office as she leaves, taking gold and her letters. Harlowe moves to stop this but Komani, who was gaming at the Inn, blocks him. Tasani leaves Hupperdook before the week is out, with the wagon that had been left for the Sons of Sigma by Mara.

While the others are out, Llunet and Hartmut have a long conversation. Hartmut is troubled by his vision during the fight with Stahlmast. He hopes the vision is nonsense, or something that has already happened. He also saw himself trapped in a snowstorm, which could have been from his home before Rexxentrum, Havenpath Farms. Hartmut doesn't like the visions, and thinks it could be Dunomancy. Llunet quizzes him on his knowledge of Dunomancy. Reluctantly, and only after a pinky swear to keep it secret, he reveals he knows the basic information. His brother has worked with the Cerberus Assembly, and they learn about Dunomancy there. He learned from a notebook of his brother's he stole - which is also the source of his tattoos. "All of my magic is on account of his"

Hartmut talks about techniques for fighting mages for a while - he was in jail for a while after a fight with his brother got out of hand and damaged property. Llunet asks about their relationship - Hartmut's brother is good at everything, it's infuriating to be his younger brother. Llunet says that golden children always fall at some point. She has a similar relationship with her sibling. Llunet's magic infused sword skills were learned with her brother. They had a protective mother who taught them to use swords.

Llunet offers to trade lessons on sword magic for lessons on Dunomancy. Hartmut insists he doesn't know enough to trade. Llunet catches him in the lie - his arm tattoos could contain significant information, he just doesn't fully understand them. Llunet offers to inspect arms in exchange for Dunomancy info.

Morrigan goes to visit her monastery - says it's close by and no one needs to join her. Moss gives Morrigan the explosive powder to give as a gift at the monastery. As Morrigan is leaving, Hartmut catches her and asks about the transmutation coming from her Circlet - and entire body. Morrigan ignores the question and leaves.

The party have some intention to head to Felderwin next, to help fight the Gnoll presence there.