WoDaD Session 37

## Recap

The next morning, Maria tells the party she'd like to visit the family of her father, Theoren Amavangwë, in Thor Aru before they leave the city. Bran accompanies her, while Amros chases after Thelo who went to make breakfast in the royal kitchen. When they reach her relatives' home, Maria is instantly embraced and taken in, along with Bran. Her great great great grandmother, who goes by Grandmother Erth Amavangwë, sits them down and tells them about Maria's father. They meet other relatives - twin cousins Svaluk Amavangwë and Dorian Amavangwë, along with Maria's uncle Lomane Amavangwë, who's bitter towards Maria and seems to blame her and her mother for stealing away his brother. Erth shares a song, one the family has been whistling all day and which Maria learned from Alonsa. It speaks to the beauty of the natural world, as Maria knew, but then goes on to speak of a child with the potential to change that world, which the singer wishes to give the world to. Maria learned its name as *All the World*, but in fact its name is *All the World for My Martzia*. The city adopted the song in Theoren's memory.

In the kitchen, Thelo is making soup for breakfast. The chefs are confused and concerned until Thelo says he's the princess. Then, they get MORE concerned and whisper to each other before backing out of the room slowly. Outside, Amros bumps into Queen Viessa, who is also looking for Chi Pin. When Amros says that Chi Pin is currently a child named Thelo, the Queen gets quite upset and stomps to the kitchen. Viessa demands that Thelo transforms into Chi Pin immediately, but he says that's not how it works. Things rapidly escalate, with the Queen insulting Thelo and Amros, who don't take it well. Amros tries to leave with Thelo - Thelo escapes Amros' grip with the power of Frog and tells Viessa that he deserves to be treated better since he has control of Chi Pin's body just as much as Chi Pin themselves. That decides it for the Queen, who calls for the guards to apprehend both Heroes so the spirit separation ritual can take place today after all.

Back with Bran and Maria, Grandmother Erth explains that there are many in the Amavangwë family tree (the tree they live in) and everyone would love to meet Maria, if she's willing to stay a bit longer. There's a montage of her meeting cousins, grandparents, great aunts and second uncles, all sorts of relatives. Many of them are injured, so Maria and Bran work together to heal them. It's harder than expected, though, as there's some sort of brand new half-magic, half-antimagic effect that repels healing from the wounds. Eventually, Grandmother Erth opens a portal in the tree to Theoren Amavangwë's grave; she stays behind but sends Maria and Bran through to have a moment alone in the space. The grave is set under the sturdy branches of a grand, ancient tree, well-maintained amidst the tall grass of the plains they find themselves in. Maria uses magic to comprehend the inscription of the tree and the two of them take a beat. Maria never knew her father like Bran never knew his mother - but they have each other now; they have Chi Pin, Amros, and Yorsog now. Bran calls her Martzia... she says she likes it.

Thelo dumps a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup on the head of the Queen of Thor Aru. She summons her Pokey, a Dark/Psychic type Terrordactyl, who immediately tries to terrify Amros and Thelo to stop them from acting. Amros attacks the Pokey with lightning with help from Thelo's *Advantageous Chaos*, then the adult picks up the child (again) and uses his Cape of the Mountebank to teleport outside the castle. They run away as the guards tackle the place they were just standing in. A pair of elves (Dorian and Svaluk Amavangwë) open a tree door nearby and say that they can help the Heroes get back to Maria and Bran. A moment later, the party is reunited once again, this time in the Plains of Viirathu.

## Continuity

The previous session is WoDaD Session 36. The next session is WoDaD Session 38.