Session0044

Episode 0044 - What We Don't Know
Previous | Next

**Setting:**

Mycorrhiza - May 30th-June 2nd, 211 AW
**Synopsis:**

* With assistance from Grenfi Nackle, Auvorix, and Ursula Wolff, Frog escapes from the Tempest Gulf and teleports home to Mycorrhiza to reconvene with the party.
* Meanwhile, the rest of the party meets with the royal family at Mycellium Palace, where they learn that a war council with imperial leaders is scheduled in the coming days to discuss the coming imperial war with Kameshima.
* Awaiting the war council, the party spends some downtime shopping for magic items, researching, and recovering from their travels.
* Malkoth meets with Potpie, the leader of the Empire's largest drug cartel, to arrange for the distribution of his fey drugs.
* With Malkoth's teleportation, the party pays a visit to Mimrinoth to research and shop, Odell presents the Tome of Rune Magic to Mordus Moonbeard, and Pepper spends some quality time with Lo.
* Back in Mycorrhiza, after another day of downtime, the war council with the imperial leaders is convened at Mycellium Palace, led by Empress Roslyn Alvira.
* Amidst some discussion about the Empire's interests in strategy in the coming war, Senator Aldon Northwood of Hartwell raises objection to parlaying with the party, citing their killing of Duke Vincent Mason.
* After hearing the party's justifications for their actions, and the results of Grenfi Nackle's divination into the matter, the Empress declares the party exonerated in light of the Duke's conspiracy against the Alviren Empire.

**NOTE: Bolded text was retroactively roleplayed at the beginning of Session0045.**

## May 30th

Arriving at the teleportation circle in Mycorrhiza's college, the party quickly stabilizes Valania Aloro. Meanwhile, Odell uses his *sending stone* to contact Grenfi Nackle, and tells her that Frog is in danger, and requests her help.

Grenfi Nackle contacts Frog and asks for his whereabouts, and Frog explains that he is stranded in the Tempest Gulf. She explains that she was headed to Mycorrhiza for an upcoming war council, along with Auvorix and Ursula Wolff. She tells Frog that if he can make it to coast near Orion's Crypt, she and the others can pick him up there tonight. Using his magical *gloves of swimming* and *orb of direction*, as well as the remaining duration of Malkoth's *water breathing* spell, Frog begins the long swim back toward the coast, taking care to remain under cover and avoiding the dangers of the open ocean.

Grenfi Nackle messages Odell back, and informs him of the plan for Frog's recovery.

Louche also casts *sending* and contacts Frog, asking if he is alright, and also asking if the storm over the Tempest Bay is still persisting. Frog responds that he is alive, having escaped from Volus, and is making his way toward the coast.

Meanwhile, at the teleportation circle in Mycorrhiza, the party takes note that the circle is being protected by an unusually high number of Mycorrhizan guards, as well as a representative of the Weavers Conclave. The party briefly explains their situation to the guards, introducing themselves as Frog's entourage, and referencing their status as heroes of the kingdom. The guards recognize them, and explain that with the upcoming war council, security has been heightened in preparation for the arrival of dignitaries from throughout the Empire.

**Gragnok administers magical healing to Valania Aloro and brings her back to consciousness.** She seems skittish and panicked upon awaking, but the party calms her and briefly explains the situation to her. Malkoth tells her that Avourel Orion tried to kill her, and also tells her that Gragnok is her son.

**Gragnok asks Valania Aloro if she knows why the Inquisitors wanted to kill her. She says that she doesn't know specifically. She explains that her mother, Ava Aloro, feared that someone was out to kill her, but Valania always doubted it, until her mother and father were mysteriously killed in a shipwreck. A letter that she received from her mother (which the party has in their possession) instructed her to seek answers in Volus, so Valania went there to investigate. In Volus, she was captured and imprisoned by the merrow, and subsequently taken captive by the Inquisitors.**

**Malkoth tells Valania Aloro that the party killed Duke Vincent Mason, her former spouse.**

Afterwards, the party heads toward Mycellium palace to meet with the royal family and explain Frog's situation to them. Along the way, Gragnok falls back from the group and attempts to send a *paper bird*, but it fails and turns to ash. Meanwhile, Malkoth gives Buttonsworth a dose of his *dust of longevity* from the Feywild, reducing his age by 9 years.

Arriving at the Palace, the party notes the presence of imperial soldiers and guards, including one invisible Weavers Conclave representative. Proceeding inside, they take note that a chamber is being prepared for the upcoming war council, where Weavers Conclave spellcasters are placing abjurative wards on the chamber.

In the throne room, the party finds King Trumpet, Queen Chantrelle, and Princess Porcini. The party explains Frog's status, and assures the royal family that Frog will be returned safely by the end of the day. The royal family tells the party that the war council is scheduled to take place in the coming days, and they would like to have Frog present for it.

Malkoth sells the royal family some of his *dust of longevity* as well.

After their meeting with the royal family, the party sets out to spend their day on various downtime activities.

Malkoth and Louche meet with Pluteus, the drug dealer that they met on his previous visit to Mycorrhiza. Malkoth purchases some drugs, and shows Pluteus a new spell that he's created with summons a magical creature using drugs as the component.

Pluteus asks Malkoth if he was the individual who spoke to Fudge Alamo in Mimrinoth, and wanted to make an arrangement with the Potpie cartel to sell the drugs. Malkoth confirms this to be the case. Pluteus says that Potpie received Malkoth's message and his sample of fey drugs, and would like to meet to discuss an arrangement. They arrange to meet the following morning, at a location of Potpie's choosing. Malkoth gets permission to bring some people with him for security purposes.

Meanwhile, Jack takes Pepper to a baseball game at the Mycorrhizan arena. There, the two talk about what the Morningstar offered them in Volus, and whether they made the right choice in rejecting her offer. Pepper reveals that she offered to bring Djinni back to life, and the two discuss whether it would be possible to bring her back with magic. Pepper alludes to the possibility that Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel could help them.

Back at Mycellium Palace, Odell visits the council chamber for the upcoming war council, and asks about the magical security elements that are being prepared. The mage in charge tells Odell about the various abjurations being prepared, including a *private sanctum* spell. The mage also reveals that the Weavers Conclave is bringing their lead templar defense golem with them. Odell asks about the gallery of paintings, and the mage acts as if he is unaware that the paintings were magical or important; however, Odell deduces that the mage is intentionally hiding his knowledge of the paintings for security purposes.

Afterwards, Odell and XVIII visit the library at the college of Mycorrhiza, where they discuss what happened with the Morningstar.

Louche privately visits Frog's room, and uses a new spell to summon a steed in the form of Baps in the room, placing a note addressed to Frog from Baps stating that she forgives him.

Later in the afternoon, the party reconvenes, and Malkoth explains that he is going to teleport to Mimrinoth for the day to do some magic item shopping and other errands. The rest of the party decides to accompany him, and they teleport to the Circle of Far Weavers at the College.

In Mimrinoth, Malkoth does some research on the ethereal plane, and portals to other planes of existence. Odell researches the timeline of the ascension of the Raven Queen, as compared to the execution of Avara Wasanthi. He learns that the Raven Queen ascended a few weeks prior to Wasanthi's execution.

**Meanwhile, Gragnok checks in with Lo to make sure her time at the College has begun smoothly, and visits the Circle of Architects to have his *sentinel shield* altered.**

Next, Odell visits the Circle of Rune Carvers, where he finds that research is underway to try to find a way to use rune magic to power the Imlaq Colossus. He then meets with Mordus Moonbeard and shows him the Tome of Rune Magic. As promised, Mordus names Odell the new Paragon of the Rune Carvers, though he agrees to maintain the day-to-day duties of the position until Odell is ready to take them over.

Meanwhile, Jack takes Pepper to meet with Lo, and leaves the two of them to spend the afternoon together.

**Gragnok checks in with the scouts that he paid to monitor the movements of Thalien Omadithas. They report that she has not been in Mimrinoth since the party's council with the Paragons. Afterwards, Gragnok sneaks into Thalien's office once again, and removes the bloodstain that he had previously left behind there.**

Having finished his research, Malkoth does some magic item shopping, then meets with a master blacksmith named Rodrak Cold, who he hires to prepare the physical component required to make a tuning fork for the *plane shift* spell.

Meanwhile, Odell meets with Nuraval Silverstone, and tells him about everything that happened in Volus. Together, they investigate the office of Thalien Omadithas, finding that it hasn't been visited since the council with the Paragons, and she has left behind her holy symbol and her signet ring that designated her as Paragon of the Divines. They also find evidence of Gragnok's prior investigation of the office.

Nuraval Silverstone vows to keep secret what Odell has told him for the time being, and to begin researching Volus, and why the Morningstar might have wanted to resurrect the city. He also explains that contrary to Odell's misconception, the direct intervention of a god would not be necessary to keep Volus afloat; a sufficiently powerful divine magic user could also accomplish this task.

The two also discuss the possibility of Malkoth becoming the next Paragon of the Far Weavers.

Later, the party reconvenes and has dinner together in Mimrinoth, before bidding farewell to Lo and teleporting back to Mycorrhiza.

Meanwhile, back at the Tempest Gulf, Frog arrives at the coast around sundown, exhausted but having survived the journey. He takes note that the storm over the Tempest Gulf is still persisting, which Louche had asked about. He makes a serviceable campsite, though an elemental disturbance prevents him from making a fire. Grenfi Nackle contacts him with *sending* for a status update, and he explains that he has made it to the coast.

A few hours later, Grenfi Nackle, Auvorix, and Ursula Wolff arrive as promised, accompanied by a lead templar defense golem. Together, they teleport to Mycorrhiza.

When Frog arrives in Mycorrhiza, he finds the party waiting for his arrival, along with Princess Porcini. Together, they return to the Palace.

In his room, Frog finds Baps, and the note left by Louche. Louche explains that he summoned her using a spell, and admits that she is not the "real" baps, but rather a summoned magical creature. Frog is nonetheless grateful, and Buttonsworth takes Baps to the stables.

Overnight, Malkoth stays awake using his magical *wakeup pin*, and uses an *etherealness* spell to visit the ethereal plane and do some research to begin developing a tuning fork for the *plane shift* spell. He also collects some oemmeck, a plant that grows only on the border ethereal.

## June 1st

Over breakfast the next morning, the party discusses the upcoming war council. King Trumpet explains that the council is set to take place the following morning. Malkoth mentions that he has a teleportation circle to somewhere near Daimao's Castle, and suggests that the party could teleport directly there, but he suggests keeping this fact secret during the council due to the possibility of traitors. XVIII suggests that XV could use his tracking ability to find the captured Senators, if permitted by Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel.

Referencing their upcoming meeting with Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel, Malkoth asks XV how he will respond if Dr. Dippel instructs him to harm XVIII or the party, and he is forced to make a choice between the two of them. Louche also expresses similar concerns. XV seems deeply conflicted, but ultimately rejects the line of questioning, denying that Dr. Dippel would ever want to harm XVIII. XVIII says that they are aware that there might be conflicts of interest when the party meets Dr. Dippel, and urges anyone who can't commit to not harming his family to stay behind. Malkoth and Louche both agree not to harm XVIII's family.

Malkoth tells the party about his upcoming meeting with Potpie, and asks if anyone will accompany him for protection. Jack warns him that Potpie is an extremely dangerous and powerful individual, and refuses to accompany him. Louche and Gragnok agree to accompany him for security, and Frog also agrees to come along, using his shapeshifting ability to appear as a myconid. After breakfast, the four of them set off for the meeting.

Meeting with Pluteus, Malkoth and the rest of the group are told that Potpie is ready to meet with them. Pluteus leads them to the Black Sheep Bistro, a restaurant on a main street in Mushroom Town. Within, they are led to an upstairs section of the restaurant, where Potpie is seated at a table, accompanied by a group of halfling guards and assistants, including Armin Fatfingers and Fudge Alamo.

Malkoth and Potpie speak about Malkoth's source of his fey drugs, and Potpie expresses an interest in distributing them. Potpie expresses some concern about Malkoth's ability to provide consistent supply, but Malkoth assures him that it won't be a problem to deliver a shipment of drugs on a monthly basis. Potpie proposes an arrangement wherein Malkoth supplies the cartel with the fey drugs, the cartel distributes them, and Malkoth receives a 30% cut of the profits. Malkoth agrees to this proposal, and Potpie gives him a list of names for his representatives in all of the Empire's major cities. **Gragnok makes a note of these names as well.**

Potpie mentions that he heard about what happened with the two individuals that Malkoth drugged with belladonna in Karaad, and warns him that he is not to sell or move drugs on his own any more. Malkoth assures him that it won't be an issue, explaining that the individuals in Karaad crossed him, and his actions against them were payback.

After their deal is struck, Potpie departs with most of his entourage, though a few halflings remain behind with the party. Malkoth and Louche speak to each other telepathically about the deal, and about the possibility of also distributing Louche's synthetically developed hallucinogenic drugs. While speaking telepathically, they note that one of the remaining halflings seems to be tracking their telepathic communications using a magic earring. Malkoth confronts him, but he evades explaining, expressing some mistrust for Malkoth. Before departing with the remaining entourage, the halfling introduces himself as Bobblin Gocks.

Meanwhile, back at Mycellium Palace, XVIII speaks with Grenfi Nackle, Auvorix, and Ursula Wolff about Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel. XVIII asks if any of them know what the purpose or end goal of Dr. Dippel's experiments was. None of them know for certain, explaining that because Dr. Dippel destroyed all evidence of his work and fled before he could be questioned or investigated, little is know about his experiments other than what they learned from Valomir Quinn, and later from XVIII and XV.

Auvorix speculates that Dr. Dippel likely have nefarious or selfish motives for his experiments, characterizing him as narcissistic and self-obsessed. Ursula Wolff, on the other hand, speculates that he must have had a decent or even honorable motive, characterizing him as a decent, if troubled, individual.

XVIII asks how Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel evaded detection and divination magic, and Grenfi Nackle explains that there are many magical abjuration and even items that protect against divination magic, to which Dr. Dippel likely had access.

XVIII asks about Dr. Dippel's family, and Grenfi Nackle explains that he had a wife named Martha Dippel, who died giving birth to their son, Gabriel Dippel, who would later go on to die from the Pale Death. When asked, she explains that their family lived in Avallon.

Grenfi Nackle explains that Alvoril Shukura might possibly know more about Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel's work than anyone present, but that he is not going to be present for the war council. She says she will try to find some way to but Alvoril in contact with XVIII, given that he has less of his own access to magic.

Meanwhile, Frog purchases some *paper birds* for Porcini, so she can contact him as needed during his travels.

Next, Frog talks to Pepper about what happened in Volus with the Morningstar, and Pepper explains his hesitation to leave with the rest of the party when they escaped. Frog offers to shapeshift into Djinni's appearance so that Pepper can have a hug from her, and Pepper agrees to this offer. Frog shapeshifts, and Pepper accepts a hug from him, though he admits it's not quite the same as the real thing.

Afterwards, Jack and Frog speak, and Jack tells Frog about why he almost stayed in Volus, explaining that he could have taken the city down at the cost of his own life. The two talk about how Pepper is handling the situation, and Frog offers Jack the same shapeshifting offer that he made to Pepper. Jack declines the offer, seemingly made uncomfortable by it.

In the afternoon, the party reconvenes. Louche asks the rest of the party what the Morningstar offered them in Volus in exchange for their fealty. Jack explains that she offered Pepper Djinni's resurrection. Malkoth explains that such a feat would be impossible if Djinni's soul was in the afterlife, but that it could be theoretically feasible since her soul remains in the Material Plane under Avourel Orion's control. They would have to somehow free her from Avourel, and also find a way to resurrect her using powerful necromancy magic. He also explains that destroying her soul on the Material Plane would release her from Avourel's control and send her to the afterlife.

Afterwards, Malkoth uses a teleportation circle to travel to Ossidia, using *etherealness* to do so on the ethereal plane and avoid detection by the guards around the teleportation sigil. In Ossidia, he does some magic item shopping, and also leaves a belladonna petal with one of Bobblin Gocks' employees as a calling card. Afterwards, he teleports back to Mycorrhiza.

Back in Mycorrhiza, the party spends the remainder of the evening relaxing. **Louche invites Gragnok and Frog to join him for a night of drinking and carousing, and the three spend the evening visiting several taverns around the city.**

**While they're out for the night, Gragnok and Louche privately discuss the possibility of eventually bringing legal action against Potpie and his cartel.**

**At one of the taverns that they visit, the group runs into Valania Aloro. She and Gragnok talk about their respective lives, and she apologizes for leaving him with Vincent Mason, explaining that she thought it would provide him with a better life. They agree to put the past behind them and start out with a clean slate, leaving the possibility open that they might have a relationship once their lives are less hectic. Valania tells Gragnok about her life as a dock worker in Saltcrest, living on very limited means. He gifts her a high quality longbow and some dragonbone arrows.**

**At the end of their night of carousing, Louche offers Gragnok a casting of a spell from a *ring of spell storing*. When Gragnok casts the spell, it summons a new steed for him, which takes the form of Elnorath.**

Afterward, the party retires for the night.

## June 2nd

**The following morning, the party meets to discuss the upcoming council in Mycellium Palace. They debate whether or not to invite XV to join them. After some discussion they decide against it, with some input from King Trumpet, who insists that no one should be party to the council that isn't necessary.**

Afterwards, the party convenes with the other dignitaries for the war council. Present at the council are Aristoadle, the present members of the Weavers Conclave and their lead templar defense golem, the Mycorrhizan royal family, Master Portobello of Mycorrhiza, King Martinet of Sibillini, Senator Aldon Northwood of Hartwell, Senator Margot LaTrompe of Avallon, Senator Bardryn Earthheart of Mimrinoth, and Senator Leaf of Karaad. King Trumpet explains that the Empress Roslyn Alvira is due to arrive within the hour.

Notably, Aldon Northwood seems to recognize the party and regard them coldly, but does not openly say anything to them.

While awaiting the arrival of the Empress, Malkoth tells Aristoadle about having visited the Star Road using his *contact other plane* spell. Aristoadle seems surprised to learn of a powerful entity residing on the Star Road, as he was unaware of any such being.

A short while later, Empress Roslyn Alvira arrives along with her entourage of guards and advisers, and the council begins. **Before the council formally begins, all members present are made to swear within a *zone of truth* that they will not share any information discussed in the council with anyone not present at the council.**

The Empress acknowledges the sacrifices being made by all the member nations of the Empire in order to engage in the war, and also acknowledges the party's presence, mentioning that they might have some inside knowledge of Kameshiman interests.

Discussing strategy, the Empress explains that the Empire has agrees to come to the aid of Mycorrhiza due to Kameshima's unprecedented escalation of hostilities in abducting imperial senators Cremini and Lucio. Imperial forces have begun to amass and convene at Mycorrhiza, awaiting a plan of action.

Louche asks if any peace talks have been attempted with Kameshima, and Empress explains that any such offers of peaceful negotiation have been ignored.

Grenfi Nackle provides the intel that has been gathered from her divination magic regarding the war, and from scouts. She explains that Kameshima is seemingly taking a defensive posture, shoring up their troops along strategic points on their coasts, and in the military stronghold of Fort Obiruk. There does not seem to be any sign that the Kameshimans are mobilizing for an attack of their own. She also reveals that, through divination magic, she has verified that Kameshima is only in possession of a single airship, and that the airship is not presently located in Kameshima, and neither is Kamm. Finally, she explains that the prisoners are being held within Daimao's Castle, which is virtually unassailable by sea, and would have to be approached by land.

Odell emphasizes the importance of Kamm's tuning fork to the Abyss, and asks about its location. Grenfi Nackle says that she has not yet divined this information, but will add it to her list of questions to ask.

Empress Roslyn Alvira explains that, in light of all of this information, the current strategy is to try to take Fort Obiruk, and then proceed from there toward Daimao's Castle.

The Empress also emphasizes the necessity of a clear victory condition and exit strategy for the conflict, and expresses her resistance to the notion of engaging the Alviren Empire in an endless war with Kameshima. Louche suggests that the removal of King Daimao is the only way to ensure a permanent end to the conflict. The Empress' military advisor suggests that the victory condition for the Empire should be nothing more than the recovery of imperial assets - namely, Senators Lucio and Cremini. This point is argued briefly, regarding whether the Empire should attempt to remove Daimao, or just recover the Senators. Louche suggests that a small strike team could be sent in to dispatch Daimao. The Empress seems amenable to this idea, and asks if the party would be such a strike team, citing the stories she has heard of their battle prowess.

At this suggestion, Senator Aldon Northwood objects to the idea of entrusting such a task to the party, or even parlaying with them at all, given that they are wanted for the assassination of Duke Vincent Mason. He demands an explanation, and for the party to face justice. Grenfi Nackle, as the lead investigator into the Duke's death, explains her findings, revealing that Duke Mason was conspiring with Shaeserin against the Alviren Empire, and attempted to frame an innocent soldier and have him killed. She explains that this information has all been corroborated by divination magic, and that while the party might have acted outside of legal channels, they acted in the best interests of the Empire. Jack points out that Aerzen betrayed the Empire by virtue of Duke Mason's actions, and should be grateful that they're not being held accountable. Emphasizing the gravity of the Duke's betrayal, Malkoth tells the council that the elves have risen the city of Volus from the sea as a result of the Duke's actions, and that they wish to eradicate arcane magic from the world and ascend their leader to godhood.

After verifying all of this new information in a *zone of truth*, Empress Roslyn Alvira declares Duke Vincent Mason a traitor to the Alviren Empire. She says that his death brought him to justice, even if the means were not ideal, and she exonerates the party for their crimes. In order to appease Senator Aldon Northwood, she offers him the position of Duke of Hartwell, provided that he is able to rally his people's loyalty to the Empire and mobilize them to war. Senator Northwood agrees to these terms. Using a magic item to discern his truthfulness, XVIII verifies that Senator Northwood is being truthful in his acceptance of the Empress' offer.