Aerois - Episode 2: Daddy's Lost Luggage

Katie Morrison as Aila

 Kim Richards as Nova V'ger

Rhiannon Frost as Sentry

 Tom Hazell as Qillek Ad Khollar

**Daddy's Lost Luggage** is the 2nd episode of the Aerois Campaign. It was broadcast live on both the Yogscast Twitch channel and highrollersdnd Twitch channel on 8th July 2018 from 5PM to 8PM BST.

*Wolves, Bears, Wild Elves, oh my! The party are stranded in the Lowlands, far from any civilization!*

## **Summary**

### **Announcements**

* Mark welcomes everyone and introduces the players.
* The players briefly introduce their characters for those who may not know them yet. Mark reminds people that Aerois is a custom, homebrew world.
* Viewers are encouraged to check out the High Rollers D&D Twitch channel and to use their Twitch Prime sub there!
* A fan art video will be shown at the break. Submit fan art to highrollersdnd@gmail.com, as high res as possible, with fan art in the title, and include a social media tag at the bottom.
* High Rollers merch plugged - dice sets, shirts, hoodies, posters.
* Today's sponsors: D&D Beyond and Brilliant.org.

### **Recap**

"*For your own reasons, your various characters were travelling aboard a skyship, one of the marvels of modern Aerois, made possible through aetherium, a special resource. The particular skyship you were on was called the Sparrowblade, and it was headed for the floating Sky City of Gusthaven. You had travelled across various different continents, and you had left the port called Immixan, and were travelling across the sea towards another stop-off point called Goldthrone before completing your journey to the sky city itself. In the middle of the night, you were awoken by a terrible storm, flashes of lightning, peals of thunder echoed throughout the ship and the sound of battle shook you awake and drove you to take action. When you left your cabins, you met with each other as well as several other passengers travelling alongside you, and you were attacked by mysterious masked figures who seemed to have some sort of arcane powers and attacked you with the aim to simply kill you: it seemed they had no objective beyond eliminating witnesses. After this, you managed to explore a little more of the ship, and discovered that in the keel, a creature called a Remnant Stalker had been unleashed, and had killed most of the crew, but to reach the Glide Sails, these kind of parachutes, and escape the crashing airship, you had to do battle with it. You defeated the creature, but not without cost: several of you took serious beatings from the creature, and you managed to escape, however a Dwarven passenger called Arval was separated and drifted off into the woods. You found yourselves crashed in a large valley: snow-tipped mountains, Autumnal - trees are dying, things are beginning to approach winter. The air is very bitter: very, very cold, and it seems to stretch out before you. You had made your way to recover Arval, this dwarven passenger, and as you tracked him down , you witnessed that he was fending off four humanoid creatures that you saw from a distance that were wearing ragged furs and leathers, covered in tribal, swirling-pattern tattoos, and appear to be elven in nature. We begin this week... by rolling initiative!"*
### **Part 1**

*Stranded in a dangerous land the party have to overcome Wild Elves and more to survive!*

The party comes to Arval's defence, protecting his unconscious body from a party of four Wild Elves; he has a bleeding arrow wound and a broken leg (with a bone jutting out from above his knee) that he apparently splinted before losing consciousness. The elves see that the party are richly appointed and they want to take all their gear, gems, jewels, and gold. Sentry heals the unconscious Arval, attempting to stop some bleeding, which brings him around. Lucius offers a 50g ransom to the leader of the elves in order to secure their release: Aila successfully intimidates the elves into taking the gold and leaving them be. The Wild Elves are covered in pale blue Celtic tattoos and are revealed to be part of the Kalen'Rus clan, which holds lands to the east of the continent of Suvonna - they chose to live in a bitterly cold, inhospitable climate and are rugged, tough and very good hunters.

Arval is conscious, but bleeding badly from the arrow wound; Quill bandages the wound with some torn up parachute cloth to stanch the bleeding. Sentry picks Arval up and fireman carries him back to Yusef, Corin and Valla, hoping to get some magical healing for Arval, but Yusef has used all of her spells fighting on the ship. Yusef reveals that Arval's leg fracture will either take magic or weeks to heal properly. Yusef sets the fractured leg bone and re-splints the leg to make it more stable. Arval is cradling his crossbow, which he reveals is named "Evangeline".

Suvonna is revealed to be the southern continent. Gusthaven exists on the central leyline, travelling on a wind current that crosses three continents and circles the entire planet: it is one of the seven sky cities. Most sky cities only circle one continent, and Gusthaven is affluent because they trade with many different cultures. Gusthaven flies over Suvonna and trades with one of the main lowland cities called Goldthrone (which lies in an area known as Rooksfield). In the pre-Dark War, Goldthrone was inhabited by dwarves, but now it is mainly inhabited by Humans. The area around Goldthrone has very fertile soil and is considered the bread basket of Suvonna; it is a good area for growing crops and vegetables and the surrounding communities are mainly farming-oriented. Goldthrone does a lot of trade with the sky cities for food and aetherium and is a very affluent city. The city watch is called the Harvest Guard and they provide policing services across the local area.

Quill believes that the party has crash-landed in The Bitterwood on the southern edge of Suvonna: it is a thick woodland with a mountain range and icy climate and known for its resident monsters and exiled humans. Heading north from where they are will take them to Rooksfield. Quill also knows that there is a river nearby that flows into a large lake which lies about a week-and-a-half from Goldthrone, so if they follow the river, they are likely to find some settlements along the way.

There is a risk that the party will keep running into Wild Elves, and it is not going to be possible to keep paying them off. The date is revealed to be the 2nd of Palas. The party debates whether to go back to the crashed site for supplies or to head towards the nearest town; Quill also suggests heading for a camp that he saw from the air, although it may be a Wild Elf camp, and dangerous. Arval reveals that the Wild Elves around this area are a problem: they loot farms and set fire to buildings; Aila may not be very popular when they reach civilization, but he will vouch for her. The party heads towards the crashed airship to look for supplies.

The party finds the Sparrowblade broken into three sections: bow, stern and midships, and notice the damage done to the surrounding area when it crashed.There is lots of debris scattered over a large area.Lucius reveals that the Elenasto family does research into aetherium technology, and his case that was lost in the crash contains prototype electrum cages that are used to gather aetherium (when sky cities pass through clouds). Quill has heard of the Elenastos, and knows that they are a high elven noble family that is fairly rich and important. Yusef reveals to Sentry that the Sky Cities were lifted into the air and set adrift by H'esper, god of wind and magic. She says that Siaska is gone, but her divine power still lingers.

Nova tells the party that the people that attacked the sky ship were from the Court of Shadows; Yusef thinks they were more likely part of the Remnant but doesn't know why they were on the sky ship. There is a general legend that is well-known: a long time ago (about 400-500 years), the dragonborn came down from space in crystal and metal ships and landed on the planet. People thought that they were going to attack, but they revealed to the Gods that they were actually here to warn them that an evil tyrant, Kalus Starbane, was coming. Kalus arrived from space in his own metal ships with thousands of hobgoblins, mind flayers, demons, fiends and other creatures as part of his army, saying something to the effect of "I love this planet - I love what you've done with it. Give me half the people and I'll leave the rest of you". Siaska and the Gods declined Kalus' offer because their charge was to protect the people and the planet. This led to a large war, at the end of which, Kalus tricked the Gods and people of Aerois into a battle they thought they could win. During that battle, Kalus revealed his true power (which was far more than anyone was expecting) and he killed Siaska. Siaska's divine energy was scattered and it formed The Cradle, which is a barrier that protects Aerois and prevents ships from reaching the planet and planar travel to and from it. This means that the dragonborn ships cannot leave, nor can the Tieflings and aasimar who came to Aerois via planar magic, but it also keeps Kalus and many of his other forces at bay. What is left of Kalus' forces is called the Remnant: hobgoblins, demons, etc. that were left behind but are still trying to break The Cradle and the planar barriers so they can summon Kalus and his allies. (Note: Sentry knows this legend, but some of the details are slightly different and not revealed during the episode; Nova knows the legend with more detail - names of battles, how the other Gods were involved, that planar magic brought the Tieflings, Aasimar and the Genasi arrived with Vortinssar, that planar magic was banned by Siaska, as well as some knowledge about The Archways which are ancient planar gates). The Court of Shadows is the old name for Kalus Starbane's forces - what his army was called when he came down; what's left of his army is now generally called The Remnant.

Nova and Lucius discuss sky jousting, and Lucius reveals that he doesn't watch it because some of the current champions are idiots.

### **Part 2**

*Wolves, Fire and Bears, oh my! The party investigate the crashed Sparrowblade!*

The party approaches the crashed airship, attempting stealth. The ship has broken into pieces and there is debris everywhere. Quill can see an arm dangling over the edge of the broken bow, and can hear four animals scavenging within the ship. The top deck is 35 feet high, but the party can scrabble up the earth upturned due to the crash to get onto the top deck. Quill and Aila crawl up the embankment to view the wreckage better: a lot of the cargo is intact, the mast has broken off into several segments, there is no sign of any Wild Elves, but there are 4 wolves on ground level fighting over a tattooed arm. Aila notices that the arm dangling over the edge appears to be from the captain and that she does not appear to be moving. Nova reveals her knowledge about wolves and how they could scare them off; the idea of making an illusory firebear is considered. Nova and Lucius climb up the embankment because the wolves have stopped making noise, but two wolves see them and start howling. The firebear cometh (Nova casts an illusion of a bear, Lucius casts firebolt). The two wolves are injured and frightened, two other wolves attack Lucius and Nova. One wolf bites Quill on the arm/wing while another is ready to pounce, Lucius is pushed to the ground and attacked by a third and fourth wolf - he loses consciousness. Aila uses her hammer to destroy one of the wolves on Lucius, and the other backs off. Nova tries to revive Lucius, but fails. Sentry comes to Quill's defence and decapitates another wolf with her axe. Quill casts Word of Radiance, and injures another wolf - the remaining two disengage and run off into the woods. Lucius fails a death saving throw before Sentry stabilizes him.

The wolves back off, so Aila picks Lucius up and they move to a sheltered spot inside the downed airship. Aila, noticing some loose coins on Lucius' person, decides to take 2 gold, but this is witnessed by Sentry and a very disapproving Quill. The party searches the wreckage and find the remains of Navigator Akamu: they notice that his body is missing an arm (likely the one that the wolves were fighting over), that he's been stabbed multiple times and that his eyes are burned black. Quill and Nova find 6 sets of rations and a backpack (containing climber's tools, flint and steel, a lantern and a flask of oil). They notice a large hole in the central mast which contains a hexagonal prism inlaid with a sapphire, which is cracked. When touched, the prism feels cold, like a breeze, or gentle air current. The metal cage is bent in parts: this is an aetherium-infused command core which fills the sails with perpetual wind. Lucius finally regains consciousness.

They see the captain's body on the top deck of the ship. While Nova and Quill retrieve the command core, Aila climbs up to the top deck which she notes is marked with heavy, fiery gashes. She notices that the captain was carrying a rapier and a thunderstone pistol - an unstable weapon, made of new technology: Aila takes both weapons, and a small bronze key that was on leather thronging around the captain's neck. Aila carries the captain's body back down to the bottom of the ship where Lucius is sobbing from exhaustion. Quill and Nova have found Lucius' case, which is slightly larger than a briefcase and inscribed with a family sigil; it contains his father's prototype.

It is about 9am and the party discuss the difficulties they will have, including moving around with Arval's broken leg. Lucius is concerned that Quill wants to leave or abandon Arval, but Quill assures him that this is not the case. While talking, Quill notices that they are being watched by a figure about 20-30 feet away, in the direction they left the other NPCs: Sentry sends Echo to investigate, and the watcher is revealed to be Valla. Lucius decides to go and "talk at" Valla to teach her a lesson for running away from her wards, but Valla has disappeared - Lucius notices her trying to sneak off again and calls out to her. She comes back, reluctantly, saying that she had been bored, so sought the party out. Lucius thinks it's dangerous for Valla to be out here and listening to them because she's a child, but Valla says that she's not a child because she's 14. Aila thinks that's old enough that she should learn to defend herself, to which Valla and Nova agree. Valla wants to learn to use weapons, saying that while Yusef is capable, Corin only reads books; Nova gives Valla a scroll to learn about wolves, quill gives her a stick (which she throws away, petulantly), and finally Nova and Lucius give her a dagger each. Aila offers to teach Valla how to use her new daggers. Quill is concerned for Arval, Corin and Yusef - Quill hears and sees more of the wild elves heading towards the airship crash site. One of the elves has totems and fetishes hanging off some bear paw gauntlets, another has a large hawk that flies up, sees the party and cries out to alert the elves.

## **YouTube Timestamps**

0:00 Start
1:37 Announcements & Sponsors
4:44 Intro Video
5:41 Recap
8:10 Play begins & Initiative for Arval rescue
9:34 Map cam
20:51 Darkness descends (Technical issues)
21:19 Anddddd... its fixed... ish
27:47 Encounter over
39:26 Suvonna & Gusthaven Lore
59:31 Quill who?
1:02:58 Airship-wreck description
1:06:30 Elenasto family background
1:13:00 General history
1:19:54 Time for a wee break (Break starts)
1:20:14 Fan Art Video
1:24:00 Brilliant Puzzle
1:26:25 Break ends & Recap
1:36:35 Nat 20
1:39:59 Some elves are dumb
1:42:25 Firebear idea begins
1:44:18 Firebear!!
1:46:46 Initiative for wolves at airship
1:47:10 Nat 20
1:54:09 Lucius facepalms the ground
1:55:36 Poor doggo
1:59:08 Poor poor doggo
2:05:29 Aila steals from Lucius
2:16:06 Revving an airship
2:20:16 Somebody’s watching
2:32:21 Wild Elves ransack airship
2:33:08 Session ends
2:33:46 Brilliant solution... ish
2:34:27 Donations

## **Featured Characters**

#### **The Stormchasers (Player Characters)**

* Aila
* Nova V'ger
* Lucius Virion-Elluin Elenasto
* Qillek Ad Khollar
* Sentry

#### **Returning NPCs**

* Arval Dagos
* Brother Corin
* Sister Yusef
* Valla

#### **Mentioned NPCs**

* H'esper
* Kalla (Chief of the Kallan'Rus Wild Elves)
* Kalus Starbane

## **Featured Locations**

* Suvonna
	+ The Bitterwood

## **Trivia**

* A fan art video was shown in the break.
* When Corin describes Quill as a "follower of H'esper", Quill replies with "follower is a strong term: I believe I've had some message, but I don't really know what to make of it just yet".
* **Continuity error:** The Navigator's name appears to change from episode 1 (Aruni) to episode 2 (Akamu). When asked about which was correct, Mark's response was "FFFFFFFFFF no idea dont even have my notes". His notes were on his Patreon - he actually used Akamu in his notes.
* **Continuity error:** The area of Suvonna known as Rooksfield is spelled "Rooksfeld" on Mark's map (available on his Patreon), and is referred to multiple times as such in later episodes. After episode 105, however, Mark released a written list of NPCs that documented this area being spelled "Rooksfield".

## **References**

1. ↑ Official Discord, 24 March 2021, 20:42