WoDaD Session 34

## Recap

The party (sans Chi Pin) is told to leave the throne room to see the Diviner, but Maria is skeptical. Before leaving, she surreptitiously gives Chi Pin the Bell Necklace and magically whispers to the elf that they should use it if they encounter trouble, as Maria would sense the bell and be able to bring help. Once they do leave, Bran is the first to meet with the Diviner, who gives him a reading. In Bran's past, he inspired the masses as a folk hero; in the present, he uses a mix of Liiracian magic (weaker, more subtle and sly) and Meracynthian magic (stronger, more obvious and bombastic); in the future, if Bran learns to harness both sides of his magic, he could sway nations. Amros is next to receive a reading. The Diviner points out how odd it was that Amros was a high-ranking general in an army who hated his race, only to start again with the party as a much weaker individual. Amros' strength was stolen by the Arch-Mage of Lathandar, according to the Diviner, and he must learn again to let loose his flames and regain his taken potential. If he does, he could fight alongside the Azural Masters as an equal.

The Queen leads Chi Pin on a walk through the city, explaining a bit about Thor Aru and its affinity with training Pokeys. She says it's tradition to choose your first Pokey and your new name together on your 100th birthday; she knows they're late to both, but would still like to indulge in the tradition. They arrive at the Choosing Ceremony, where Brellah also waits, having delayed her own Pokey-choosing ceremony until she could do it with Chi Pin. Trainers bring forth three Pokeys: Angy the Dielophosaurus, a powerful and wrathful Fire type; Dandelion the Triceratopsoil, a gentle and sweet Grass type; and Daleus the Galeus Domesticus, a chaotic and wild Chicken. After a bit of examination, Chi Pin chooses Dandelion, adding them to their team! Brellah chooses Daleus, and the Queen tells them that tradition says the two elves must engage in a Pokey battle.

Back with the Diviner, Maria is told her past is tragic - but perhaps more alive and present than she realizes. For example, her late father is from Thor Aru, so she has extended family in the city. Unfortunately, her present past has sprung up in the form of a monastery she once trained at joining the war effort against Thor Aru. Lo'Nactha must be talked down, the Diviner tells her, and she's the best person to do it as a former student. He offers to send her there immediately, being afraid that a full party might spark aggression. Maria is concerned to leave Chi Pin behind with the Queen, but the Diviner assures her that the princess is having a great time. He creates a tree portal to the monastery and she walks through.

Bran is sent to train the Meracynthian side of his magic with another bard, one who ends up being his rival Carter Flints. Flints has a very loud Power Lute, made by an artificer, which Bran is impressed with. Bran is less impressed by every aspect of the other bard himself, which leads Flints to try and blow Bran back with thunderous noise - but Bran dodges it expertly. He asks Flints where he got the lute, to which the bard sarcastically tells him to use Azural Magic to summon his own. Bran begrudgingly asks Flints to teach him how to use Azural Magic, but is told that it's not something that can be taught. Bran has never really tried, though, so Flints tells him to focus. Bran is able to recreate that thunderous noise without gestures or words; he has cogitative magic. Flints is jealous and unhappy, so vows to get an even more powerful instrument and then beat Bran in a battle of the bands when next they meet.

Maria steps through the tree portal into the courtyard of Lo'Nactha and asks to see the High Master. To her surprise, the person who walks up to her is her old friend-turned-rival, Selvara, who draws a wand and tells the students to clear out.

## Continuity

The previous session is WoDaD Session 33. The next session is WoDaD Session 35.