A World's Rebirth

# **CAST**

**DM**: Tae

Dio Priest: Buck

Anoana: Caleigh

Balthazar Braunhaven: Chris

Harogash: Cryo

Mei-Lin Phang: Nikki

Rakesh: Thomas

Callus the Wanderer: Wombat

# **SESSIONS**

AWR Session 1 - Six strangers (Lucian, Four, Callus, Mollie, Valie, and Mei-Lin) are invited to Yo'Sted for the wedding of the most eligible bachelorette in Nova Zemja, Princess Alenora Lightless, to a powerful son of an allied merchant guild. The wedding does not go as planned. The Empress is abducted by Matteo, claiming Alenora as his bride, while the party takes his partner Asoka hostage. A contract is arranged with Zoya Martel, leader of the Dunes, to obtain information on where Matteo might have gone.

AWR Session 2 - The party comes into possession of a very powerful crown that belongs to the Lightless family, a set of sending stones, and a children's book about Selune and Shar called *The Dance*. They travel into town on a hunt for Blood Honey to complete their contract with the Dunes. A shop is raided and a puzzle solved. Asoka is left at the castle alone. They reconvene in Callus' Cozy Crapshacktm.

AWR Session 3 - Asoka escapes and some of the party breaks off to find her. The others deliver the Blood Honey to the Dunes and receive information on the perpetrator of the abduction: Matteo Stormspear, discarded son of the Daughters of the Wave. They learn he needs the blood of a Lightless to perform a ritual. Zoya's right hand, Augusta, offers to smuggle the party on an airship to chase him down in exchange for retrieving The Book of Vile Darkness from Yuzen Koi.

AWR Session 4 - The party decides to leave the crown with the Dunes while they chase Matteo. They meet with Zoya to sign the contract for transport and choose their aliases. A travel plan is put in place as well as a cover story for the reason for their journey across the border into the Jade Empire in case they are stopped. Lucian has a clandestine meeting with a deposed ally of the Dark Republic. Mei and Callus spend some time at the bar.

AWR Session 5 - The airship sets sail with the group aboard. It's a Senior Cruise, and there are pineapple drinks and shuffleboard tables abound. The Pucks of Doom is officially formed. The crew quarters are investigated, and red and blue poisons are found in crates in the hold. They meet a member of the crew who is in perfectly good health, but a short time later find her body in a room having been poisoned and having been dead longer than the recent sighting would allow. The poison is identified as Midnight Tears, which takes 24 hours to kill. The hold is investigated again and all the crates of poison are gone. The party splits, half to investigate the kitchen and possible poisoning plots, and the other half to warn the captain. The captain transforms into a wereshark and locks the party members inside, and the kitchen is full of zombies.

AWR Session 6 - The foes are eliminated and the group reconvenes and decides to return to the hold to investigate. Seniors are dropping dead across the ship and the party realizes it's only a matter of time before the poison they possibly ingested takes effect. A trail of blood is followed from the crew quarters into the suites above. One of the wardrobes is full of empty suits of skin, two of them the familiar skins of Asoka and Matteo, but no source of the blood. Valie splits from the group to steer the ship, the rest follow the blood trail the other way. The trail leads to the bloodied and now-hornless Empress stuffed into a crawlspace in the ceiling. That's when the poison takes effect. Mei-Lin and Valie drop. Lucian revives Mei and the others attempt to rescue Valie, but do not arrive in time before she dies. The Empress is revived and the party rests.

AWR Session 7 - A room of survivors is found, being guarded by Eclipsa. The group asks her to come with them to investigate the crawlspace, which leads to one of the upstairs suites with a swirling magic portal in it - and all the skins are gone. In investigating the helm, they discover it is steered by a magical map and tacks. The party decides to go through the portal and send Mollie back to Yo'Sted with the Empress. On the other side of the portal, the party solves puzzles and fights charming effects before facing a group of the creatures they've dubbed skin-walkers. Some of the skin-walkers are wearing familiar faces, including Augusta. The skins are collected as evidence once the creatures are dispatched.

AWR Session 8 - Eclipsa and Lucian discuss Lucian's dedication to Shar, Mei and Callus discuss Mei's secret identity. Callus calls on the Traveler, who answers his anger and doubt with aloofness and platitudes. Callus tries and fails to punch him. Following footprints they assume are Matteo's the party discovers they actually belong to Harogash who is in the cave studying monsters. He comes along. Exiting the cave, the party can either divert to a creepy looking tower, or continue straight on to Yuzen Koi. They choose the tower. Going up the tower, the stairs disappear behind them and they are forced in a particular direction through each of the tower rooms with puzzles and traps designed to test the party. Callus receives a Wish spell from the Deck of Many Things.

AWR Session 9 - Reaching the top of the tower, the party finds instructions for an exorcism. A platform appears and lowers them all back down to the first floor. Eclipsa takes the party to nearby Quill, her hometown, for a rest. Lucian explains his situation to the party and reveals his dedication to Shar. That night, Callus is overcome by voices in his head offering him power, one a spirit who possessed him prior to meeting the party, and the other Shar herself. Mei asks Harogash to study her gift from the Deck of Many things: a sentient volcano affectionately dubbed Rumbles. An archway to the Feywild appears in the middle of the bar and demigod Shiloh appears to call Four home to answer for his crimes. He goes willingly.

AWR Session 10 - The party splits to run errands. Eclipsa meets a shopkeeper named Theban who wants Fae blood in exchange for equipment. Eclipsa allows him to bite her arm to hold him over until she can convince the nearby Satyr village to fill a vial of blood. On the road, they meet an acquaintance of Callus' named Rakesh. They find the Satyr village slaughtered and five sets of footprints leading off to Yuzen Koi. Eclipsa's bite mark turns to a blue scar, similar to the one Matteo left on Augusta. Callus and Eclipsa go back to Theban to investigate the link between the two and learn Theban and Matteo are brothers and their mother is a dragon. Callus bargains internally with the spirit for information, but is nearly overpowered and injures Mei-Lin in the process. When the party exits, Theban turns into a white dragon and flies out of the roof of the shop. Callus and Mei discuss the spirit. When directly addressed, the spirit possesses Callus's consciousness. Mei threatens it and accidentally awakens its latent powers.

AWR Session 11 - Travel toward Yuzen Koi begins. The party bonds over several nights of camping and watches. Mei uses mind link to inform the party about the spirit possessing Callus and removes him from the group so they can put together a plan without the spirit being able to hear. Callus is almost possessed again and gives Mei a small effigy of himself that acts like a locator beacon. Meanwhile, Rakesh gives the party some of his story. The party finds a man traveling the same path that they are. It turns out to be Xander, Callus' mentor and father figure. Mei receives word in a Sending message from Sneasel that there is a 30,000 gold bounty on Eclipsa. The party hits a blockade made by Matteo and his band who want the spirit that is inside Callus. Two of the party, twins, have pendants with eyes around their necks which Lucian believes could indicate devotion to Vecna. The party is overpowered and Callus is taken.

AWR Session 12 - Party arrives at the Yuzen Koi library, the Prism. Harogash bonds with Javier, the head page, who gets several books and bits of information to help their missions. They learn the Book of Vile Darkness was taken by members of Matteo's crew days ago. The party implores Archmage Pollux to transport them closer to the place Callus was taken and she agrees for a fee to be extracted later. Lucian casts Detect Evil and Good and learns Mei and Xander are both Fae, although they appear human. They are transported to Rotund and take shelter with Lucian's mother in the Temple of Shar. Lucian learns he is going to be a big brother. Also his father's grave was vandalized and his former girlfriend, Glory's, body was stolen from the cemetery. Rakesh calls on the Traveler for guidance and Xander appears. Mei and Xander write the chant for the exorcism to free him from the spirit.

AWR Session 13 - Lucian is named Shar's Champion. Harry is screaming at something in the sky. On a week long journey to the mountain temple where Callus was taken, Lucian explains Glory and bonds with Eclipsa over mutual appreciation of red tieflings. Harry reveals yelling at the sky was because he built a bird Steel Defender. In the cave to the temple, the party skirts by a sleeping Beholder, but is still affected by the tentacles around its lair. Rumbles is obliterated in the attempt to get across. The party finds a prayer book to the demigod Bellaluna and a series of hieroglyphs that represents each person's life so far and what was in store for their futures. The next room has Glory's body and Callus strapped to tables. The party successfully exorcises the spirit, which they have surmised is Bellaluna, and the freed spirit possesses Glory's body and escapes. Eclipsa performs the ritual to revive Callus, but it is unsuccessful until Shar intervenes. Xander transports the party to his home.

AWR Session 14 - The party comes to terms with being transported to the Feywild. Callus is comatose and unable to be revived. The group meets Alotay and checks in at the fountain of the Founding Nine. Mei and Xander let everyone know the rules of the Feywild. The party splits, with half going into Bloom to restock at Xenophilis' Overzealous Emporium, where they learn of a unicorn, Caprina, who may be able to heal Eclipsa's scar. Meanwhile, Rakesh informs Mei that Xander is the Traveler. The returning shoppers meet three members of the Founding Nine. Harogash meets a wish-granting guardian, Cornelius, and gives him his Steel Defender in exchange for reviving Rumbles. Xander is observed plotting with a Demonkin.

AWR Session 15 - The group splits to seek other accommodations, with Lucian taking Mei's face as she stays behind with Callus. There are several diplomatic fumbles. Rakesh is given a place to stay when he promises to return to the Feywild after being given his vision back temporarily. Xander and Mei-Lin have an argument and she is told to leave, just in time to be reunited with the group. Sophie brings Life Tree water as a gift to revive Callus, but it is unsuccessful. Rumbles communicates with Harogash and shows him an image of remains left in the temple where he perished. After a rest, Callus awakens and Mei informs him of Xander's deception. Callus breaks his bond with the Traveler by smashing a ticking pocket watch. The party mobilizes to meet Caprina, connecting with a pod of Selkies who provide access to the tunnels that will lead them to her.

AWR Session 16 - The party navigates the dark tunnels. They come upon a room full of treasure, but do not take anything from it. They are set upon by oozes, which corrode their weapons and armor. The floors are also trapped and several doors have ominous sounds coming from them. While exploring, a dark mist pours into the caverns. Half the party succumbs to the mist and falls unconscious. Lucian sees the Ferryman standing over Eclipsa. They are carried to the exit by a way lit by Shar. A ticking sound can be heard in the mist. The caverns empty into a glen with a unicorn standing in the middle of it.

AWR Session 17 - Lucian revives the unconscious party members. Callus notices strange runes glowing on Lucian's neck. Eclipsa tells Caprina about her scar, but Caprina cannot help. She explains how she knows Theban and tasks the party with killing him in exchange for bringing one person back to life. The group asks for information of the real Traveler, Artagon, and learned he is imprisoned in Carceri. Caprina transports the party to the Temple of Shar where they find it completely destroyed. A magic dome prevents the rest of Rotund from noticing. Callus contacts Xander who threatens to continue torturing the rest of his friends. The party shelters in a local inn.

AWR Session 18 - The party battles Theban in his white dragon form and everyone dies. The Ferryman taunts Eclipsa and her lack of faith. The Raven Queen accepts a deal with Eclipsa, but she suddenly awakens to find it was a nightmare. Harogash introduces the party to Rumbles the Steel Defender. Lucian proposes a plan to High Flame Azure. Rakesh grapples with the reality of his revivification. Mei helps Harogash make a deal to retrieve Rumbles' remains. In bargaining with a shopkeeper, Mei gets a lead on Eclipsa's bounty hunter.

AWR Session 19 - Lucian explains his pending nuptials and receives a wedding present from Bellaluna. The group splits to attend to some business in town and leaves a message for a shady arcane practicioner. Back at the inn, Eclipsa argues with Lucian and calls for help from Shar, while Mei secures a personal trainer. Rakesh has a vision - literally - and Lucian discovers something darker has changed about him. Mei follows up on her lead and meets The Shadow. Callus asks for help in unexpected places.

AWR Session 20 - The party receives post overnight. Lucian startles the party screaming in pain first thing in the morning. Mei-Lin speaks to Sina and learns more about the contract on Eclipsa's head. After being fitted for wedding attire, the group goes to meet the High Flame Azure for lunch along with Alenora and the Empress. The group receives their boons for rescuing the Empress from Matteo. Lucian is named Cardinal of the Obsidian Night and is given his first task as the Flame's right hand.

AWR Session 21 - Managing to leave the castle with their heads, the party heads off to wrap up business in Rotund before leaving to attend the wedding. Rumbles reveals his new form. The union between Lucian and Alenora becomes official, but the party is faced with tending to some unexpected guests at the reception, as well as the unexplained absence of Eclipsa. The group is split, with Callus and Rakesh being involuntarily teleported to an unknown location.

AWR Session 21.5 - Mei-Lin has a clandestine meeting with The Shadow and smuggles his son to New Azure.

AWR Session 22 - The group finally confronts Bella Luna.

AWR Session 23. - In the temple under the waves, the party reconciles with the likelihood that this is the fate outlined in the mysterious hieroglyphs.

AWR Session 24 - Lucian, Harogash, Callus, and Mei-Lin confront a surprise left for them at the top of the Ziggurat

AWR Session 25 - The Pucks of Doom cross a few things from their to-do lists. Somewhere along the way they meet an acquaintance of Mei-Lin, find out more of what is in Pondstone and find themselves a new home.

AWR Session 26 - The party says goodbye to a Pucks of Doom original.

AWR Session 27 - Landing in Pondstone, the group reunites with Eclipsa and makes the decision to venture into the danger-filled wilds.

AWR Session 28 - The party battles obstacles standing in the way of their destination, but eventually finds a hidden village with the answers to some of their most burning questions.

AWR Session 29 - The hidden Vedalken settlement of Evanna opens its arms to our intrepid heroes, who decide to stay for an incredibly important ritual.

AWR Session 30: Trouble befalls the village, and the party intervenes to protect them only to find that the trouble was there for them.

AWR Session 31: The party attempts to strike a deal with Theban, connect with their friend Lucian, and say farewell to a dear friend.

AWR Session 32: Mail is received, read and sent. Tensions rise between two party members as their friendship is on thin ice.

AWR Session 33: The Pucks find two new allies in New Azure and hit the casino to play some high stakes games.

AWR Session 34: The party reconvenes after obtaining an important artifact to put the finishing touches on their plan of attack.

AWR Session 35: The party makes peace with each other and themselves as they prepare to die to prevent the end of the world.

AWR Session 36: The Pucks of Doom makes their stand at the Ziggurat

AWR Session 37: A salty teenager completely owns the cast as Balthazar makes introductions with some special visitors to the Navy Rose.

AWR Session 38: The party unwittingly walks into an altercation with some specters of Rakesh's past

AWR Session 39: Friends bicker in this session of A World's Rebirth. Planning their trip to the Shadowfell is interrupted by a conversation with the Queen of Everstone's right hand.

AWR Session 40: As the party tries to make amends they find themselves on the streets of Rotund. Balthazar hopes a friend is able to help get them to Nontra in a safe and timely manner.

AWR Session 41: In the depths of the Shadowfell, the slimmed down Pucks of Doom make their way through the dark unknown in hopes of finding Blood Reigna's keep. Things go fairly smoothly until the Songs of Shadows tempt them with all of their wishes and fears.

AWR Session 42: The party resorts to Stage 2 Diplomacy in dealing with a splinter group of blood mages bent on deposing Blood Reigna.

AWR Session 43: At the tomb of the Raven Queen, the group stumbles upon some interesting artifacts and faces down the captors of the Shadowfell's Queen outside their supposed stronghold.