Story/Session 5

# Session 5 — «Lying out loud»

## About

*\* To see all the campaign sessions and events check the list of sessions in the "Story" page's segment "Sessions".*

**Session 5** took place on 2023/12/02 in Guangzhou, Panyu in COMMUNE Bar after a month's break due to DM's wedding preparation. A total of four characters participated in the events of the session: Greg "Grog" Butkus (Sam), Dalerion Korr (Rebecca), Tobias Slater (Sean), Urifaen "Fiddler" Quoreak (Craig).

### Connected sessions

This session is a part of series of events that are tied together due to the nature of their events.

## Journal

### Going out

In the morning, Greg, Tobias, and Dalerion convened to update Fiddler on the previous day's events. They discussed Tobias Slater's loss of belongings to a marching band of musicians, findings at the Harbour Trade House, news of the Grudge Match between the Grey Cloaks and Golden Swords, and their heightened status within the Adventurers Guild. After dividing the funds from Master Thistle Coppercoil's reward pouch for the cogdog recovery, the party decided to head north to reclaim Tobias's lost possessions or pursue those responsible for the apparent theft. The group then retraced their steps back to the Old Market, crossed the Grey Bridge, and passed through the North Gates to reach the farmlands outside the walls. In the distance, they spotted the emerging circus dome, confirming the rumors about the Three Rings Circus preparing for their performance.

Upon entering the circus dome, the group encountered Roderick Tallfellow, a member of the Harmony Troupe responsible for the upcoming musical performance. Roderick explained that most of the hired troubadours and musicians resided in the guild-owned Three Doors Tavern, distancing himself from any knowledge of the previous night's events. Despite the lack of information, he urged the party not to harm the musicians too severely if they were indeed responsible, as they had a performance to deliver. Roderick clarified that the construction workers remained within the circus area until the completion of their tasks. Despite further inquiries, the group failed to uncover more details. However, Tobias made a significant discovery—his spice pouch, lost the previous night, now lay emptied and trampled into the dirt. This evidence strongly suggested that the thief had been to the circus and then departed. Convinced that the musicians were involved, the party decided to return to the township to pursue further leads.

During their return journey, Greg Butkus took a detour to visit some of the farm stalls. There, he acquired a smaller bag of willow tree seeds.

### Spending coin

Upon arriving at the Old Market, the party decided to explore the offerings available for sale and trade in the morning hours. Fiddler engaged in some shrewd negotiations, utilizing Tobias's distraction techniques to significantly distort the price of the last remaining studded leather armor piece. This resulted in Fiddler acquiring the armor for a fraction of its original cost. Simultaneously, Tobias secured Fiddler's old leather armor set, providing him with much-needed equipment after the loss of all his belongings.

Amid these transactions, Dalerion made an unconventional purchase—a small, gold-colored duckling. Greg, on the other hand, decided to add a new member to the party by acquiring a puppy, a Ronar Highlands shepherd. Meanwhile, Tobias Slater and Fiddler purchased moonshine, anticipating that it might enhance the cooperation of the bards and troupe members they were about to confront. Armed with these additional items, the party continued their path toward the township. With a firm resolve to head directly to the Three Doors Tavern, the group reached the Academia Precinct. Dalerion, driven by his thirst for knowledge, seized the opportunity to visit the Tower Library. Utilizing the library pass acquired from Sam Lemon, he gained access and obtained two books on power stones. This visit aimed to deepen his understanding of these mystical stones and the potent abilities they held.

### Lying out loud

Upon their arrival at the Three Doors Tavern, the group encountered a sizable crowd gathered around the bar area. An elven performer, later introduced as Sylva Fairwind, stood with a weighty tome in hand, passionately reciting poetry as the crowd remained silent and listening to every word and sigh the elf produced. As the group drew closer to listen, they were unsettled to discover that the verses glorified the torture and interrogation of heretics in Akkalat, along with the cullings of heretic villages, all in praise of the Drowned Church.

> *"< . . . > In the hallowed halls where waters murmur, a tale unfolds of penance fervor. The Drowned Church, a haven divine, Where repentant souls seek to align. A wayward heart, strayed from the fold, to foreign gods, its faith was sold. Yet, the Church with mercy wide, offered penance, a cleansing tide. Interrogation's somber tone, a ritual of sins to disown. In the depths of trial, redemption sought, the faithful soul, in repentance caught. For the Drowned Church, with currents deep, offers solace to those who weep. Through trials and pain, a path to grace, in penance found, a sacred embrace. Let this tale be a hymn of praise, to the Church's mercy, in watery maze. For in penance, a rebirth begun, a testament to the grace of the Drowned One." — Sylva Fairwind.*
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Tobias quickly identified the tome being recited as his own, prompting Greg to swiftly navigate through the crowd and seize the book. However, when Greg attempted to grab Sylva Fairwind, the elven performer showcased remarkable agility, easily evading his grasp. Sylva then clapped her hands, dispelling the illusion that had made the crowd appear in the first place. She asserted that she had merely discovered the book and other assorted belongings on the bar table that morning, suggesting their appearance was entirely coincidental. With another clap of her hands, Sylva unveiled what seemed to be Tobias's complete array of missing possessions laid out on a table. She proposed a bargain, urging the group to satiate her curiosity. Sylva sought to know how Tobias acquired a book with such content and whether he had any affiliation with the Akkalati soldiers or the Drowned Church. In exchange for this information, she promised to return all of Tobias's belongings, or at least whatever she found in the tavern earlier.

Tobias agreed to tell her and the party about its origin, and about his past. While he recounted his past, Sylva skillfully wove illusions around them, conjuring an imaginary crowd to witness their conversation. Simultaneously, she demonstrated her impressive concentration by shielding them from prying eyes. As Tobias spoke of various individuals in his narrative, Sylva morphed her appearance, embodying figures ranging from Aiden Bell of the Grey Cloaks to the High Inquisitor Isabella Thalmore. The group remained skeptical of Tobias's responses, prompting further questioning from Dalerion and Fiddler. Meanwhile, Greg and Sylva indulged in several bottles of moonshine, leading to Greg getting notably intoxicated. In the midst of their discussions, Dalerion suggested a visit to the Temple of All to consult with High Priestess Elara Dorle — the leader of the Sanctuary. He believed her divine presence would make deception impossible, providing an opportunity to ascertain the truth.

The group, agreeing with Dalerion's suggestion, said their farewells to Sylva and headed to the Temple of All. Fiddler, choosing to stay vigilant at the entrance, guarded against the possibility of Tobias attempting to flee. Greg, feeling unwell, found a seat on one of the benches. The conversation within the temple's hallway echoed loudly, catching the attention of High Priestess Elara Dorle. Her divine presence joined the discussion, and Tobias managed to provide answers that the group found satisfactory, even within the sanctified walls of the Temple of All.

## Notable non-player characters

A list of notable NPCs the group has either met for the first time or interacted with throughout the session.

 Sylva Fairwind
 High Priestess Elara Dorle

## Statistics

*\* For campaign combat and roll statistics, see Characters' page segments "Combat statistics" and "Roll statistics".*

Dalerion Korr (Rebecca) was voted MVP of the session and was awarded an Inspiration Coin.

### Roll statistics

> *"Get new dice, Rebecca," -* DM.
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Roll statistics include average dice roll result (natural only), the natural twenty, and natural one dice roll counts.

This session started with two consecutive **Natural 20** rolls, first by Urifaen "Fiddler" Quoreak (Craig) and then Tobias Slater (Sean) right after. This session also has the lowest average roll rating since Session 0 with Dalerion Korr (Rebecca) rolling 7.33 on average throughout the session.

### Combat statistics

There was no combat in this session. No damage and no healing (including self-healing) was done.