(S053) Lord & Lady Ceremony

Crowned as Lords and Ladies in a grand ceremony atop a Feywild hillside, the party's celebration is violently shattered by a coordinated sniper ambush and the shocking assassination of King Ymeoz. Amidst hiring a veteran firbolg navigator named Ellas and prepping their airship for flight, they interrogate a captured Bloodhands orc and uncover a sprawling regional conspiracy.

📝 Session Summary

The Wild Cards were called The Menagerie by some until they came up with the name The Wild Cards.

• Barlo: A grizzled tabaxi barbarian who has been doing some work for a network that one should be wary of.
• Bastion: An orphan human who spent his life studying magic and blades, even though his elder pushed him away from the sword. He replaced Reginald.
• Calliope: This bardic faun joined the party late when she needed to find help to save her homeland.
• Reginald: A leonin cleric who was off to show his family's royal background and would later find out there were secrets leading to him becoming a king.
• Sas: A tortle hermit was given an item of power and a quest.
• Shadow in the Snow: This tabaxi got a coin, and her curiosity set her on a path.

🎬 Scenes

• Scene 1: Barlo's Backstory — From The Bronze Canyon in Kampos. Gave up Tabaxi name, "Smiles". Help move people. On way to Eushia to help Black Road with a client. Currently on ship near Carrune.
• Scene 2: Bastion's Backstory — When Bastion Bladesinger was very young he lost both of his parents to a plague. He took care of himself as he taught himself how to use the rapier his father once wore. He lived in Dyrt and watched all of the great knights. He also had an interest in the ways of magic and he wished he could do both – use swords and excel in magic – like many elves he had heard about.
• Scene 3: Calliope's Backstory — Calliope was born into the nestled highlands of the Oraniad Mountains. The Skola Vale, wild and free, blessed by the gods and inhabited by whimsical Satyr and Faun. Deep within it among the lush valley, reside the Dawngreets, a long generational line of storytellers and lore keepers.
• Scene 4: Reginald's Backstory — He was born at home, a modest-sized mansion where his family lived a modest means – even though his father could never stop talking about how they were royalty and yet this was the only lands they currently possess. His childhood was generally a happy one full of several friends. He was an only child.
• Scene 5: Sas' Backstory — Sas was born on the continent of Oth'Mar – a content mostly inhabited by Tortles and is far to the south of the Carrune Isles.
• Scene 6: Shadow's Backstory — Deep in the snowy mountains high in the north, there lived a large group of Tabaxi, The Blinding Wild Clan.

📜 Missions & Quests

• Completed:
  • Established individual party origins and initial connections to the world of Dierde.
• Active / Discovered Threads:
  • Barlo's ties to the smuggling rings and the Black Road.
  • Bastion's mysterious past and fallout with Grognard.
  • Calliope's quest to save the Skola Vale.
  • Reginald's pursuit of his family's royal mint commission and claim in Neyer.
  • Sas's vision of the Cat Goddess Bast and journey to find her lost lands.
  • Shadow's golden coin and mystical calling from her clan shaman.

NPCs

S053: Lord & Lady Ceremony

Date: 2023-06-23

Short

The party concluded their two-week downtime with various preparations before attending a grand ceremony at the Elder's Keep, where they were officially granted the titles of Lord or Lady. During the celebration on a scenic hillside that transitioned into the Feywild, the festivities were violently interrupted when assassins attacked, striking down one of Reginald's Leonin assistants with a crossbow bolt. The party immediately engaged the attackers—goblins and an orc bearing the mark of the red Bloodhands, Zirin's growing mercenary faction—and successfully eliminated most of the threats while capturing the orc for interrogation. The guards then delivered devastating news: King Ymeoz Primeguides of the Majestic Kingdom of Enond had been assassinated that same morning, revealing a coordinated plot to eliminate both the king and Reginald in a single day and throw the region into chaos.

Returning to town amid widespread panic, the party met with their newly hired assistant Ellas, a retired firbolg ship navigator, to discuss their airship and future plans. With multiple urgent threats demanding their attention—Sas's troubling vision of the sky breaking apart, the mysterious city in the mist, and the brewing war between factions following the king's assassination—the newly titled lords and ladies prepared to embark on their next adventure. They gave Ellas funds to recruit a trustworthy crew for their airship, knowing that greater challenges lay ahead as political conspiracy, military conflict, and potentially cosmic threats converged around them.

Summary

The party concluded their two-week downtime period with various accomplishments. Artie the owlbear received a magical bag that produced meat daily to keep him fed, and he had earned respect from certain individuals after sacrificing his cowl in a previous encounter. Sas experienced another troubling vision where the sky appeared to be breaking apart, and Bast urged them to hurry while gifting them a herary that would allow them to access outer space once they had their ship. Barlo had spent his time gambling and fighting in pits with considerable success, while Bastion recovered from a summer cold. Shadow attempted to acquire several magic tattoos and successfully obtained a Tattoo of Warding, while Sas dedicated her time to learning herbalism and crafted healing potions for the entire party.

The party reviewed and signed contracts for their new keep and lands, including a deed, tax agreements that the Elder could adjust as necessary, and a fealty oath to protect the region. Barlo signed the documents with a distinctive beak mark. They were offered personal banking accounts for security, though they declined for the time being. The party then engaged in an extended and humorous discussion about naming their adventuring group, becoming particularly fixated on creating acronyms like "IBS" for Incontrovertible Bronze Squad, much to everyone's amusement. They also considered "The Bronze Butterfly" as a potential tavern name, referencing Barlo's origins and nickname.

At the Elder's Keep, the party found Reginald socializing with Remington, the elder twins, and Reginald. Reginald shared troubling news that his uncle had gained control of another area in the Kingdom of Enond and was attempting to overthrow the king by building up military forces. The party attempted to lighten his preoccupied mood before meeting with Jeets, who provided updates on the keep's construction and offered references for potential assistants. They decided to interview Ellas Lantaththar, a 154-year-old firbolg who had extensive experience as a ship navigator but had retired from sailing due to dangerous encounters with pirates.

The party found Ellas at a local inn enjoying an evening drink. The seven-and-a-half-foot-tall firbolg with elaborate piercings explained his background and his interest in honest work away from the sea. Shadow used her Ring of Truth to verify his honesty, and satisfied with his credentials and demeanor, the party hired him as their assistant to manage the keep and their business affairs. Ellas agreed to start immediately and was taken to the Elder's Keep to begin his duties.

The following morning, the party attended a grand ceremony at the Elder's Keep, where many familiar faces had gathered. Barlo was delighted to see his father, brothers Quirky Time and Curious Year, and even a three-year-old tortoise sibling. He also spotted his mother trying to remain hidden in the shadows with her cloak drawn. The procession moved to a scenic hillside that transitioned into the Feywild, and at the summit, the Elder officially granted each party member the title of Lord or Lady. Fireworks lit up the sky in celebration of their new status.

As the party descended the hill after the ceremony, the celebration was violently interrupted. A Leonin assistant walking with Reginald was suddenly struck by a crossbow bolt and began to collapse. Reginald struggled to hold him up as panic spread through the crowd. Shadow immediately drew her bow while Bastion identified the attack's origin point—a cluster of trees about two hundred feet away. Barlo erupted into a rage and sprinted toward the tree line at incredible speed, shouting challenges at the hidden cowards. Reginald and his assistants vanished in a flash of teleportation magic as the party rushed into action.

Combat erupted as the party engaged goblins and an orc hiding in the trees. Bastion was struck by an arrow but pressed forward, while Barlo took a crossbow bolt that barely slowed him down. Shadow unleashed devastating attacks, killing a goblin with such force that it fell from the branches. An orc wielding a massive great axe swung through the trees and landed in front of Barlo, grunting menacingly in his face. Calliope responded with cutting mockery that caused blood to trickle from the orc's nose and clouded his mind. Artie was struck by an arrow but remained in the fight.

Barlo demonstrated his incredible agility by climbing forty feet up a tree and delivering a devastating blow to another goblin, sending its lifeless body plummeting to the ground. Shadow continued picking off enemies with precision, while Bastion enhanced himself with magical song and delivered a powerful strike to the orc that left it incapacitated. The party quickly secured the orc with rope as a prisoner while the wounded Leonin was tended to and stabilized.

Examining their captives, the party noticed the orc and other attackers bore the mark of the red Bloodhands, identifying them as members of the Bloodhands, a mercenary faction hired by Zirin. The Bloodhands had been consolidating power by recruiting mercenary groups and ruffians, and the party recalled that Zirin had connections to the Arcane Order, which had previously worked with Jacoby Drexelhand. Evidence suggested the Arcane Order and Bloodhands had stolen important documents from Jacoby Drexelhand's desk at River's Keep, leading to the Arcane Order eventually turning against him and helping restore Reginald to power.

The Leonin guards delivered devastating news that explained the coordinated nature of the attack. King Ymeoz Primeguides of the Majestic Kingdom of Enond had been assassinated that very morning. The party realized this was a calculated plot to eliminate both Reginald and the king in a single day, creating chaos and weakening the region's leadership. The guards took the captured orc to the village for proper interrogation while the party processed the implications of this conspiracy.

Returning to town amid widespread panic over the warfront and the king's assassination, the party met with Ellas to discuss their airship. He brought good news that Morenars Neyers had failed to secure proprietary rights to the ship design, meaning they could proceed without restriction. Ellas explained the ship would need crew for the sails and rigging, and could be powered by a professor orb using magical energy. The party gave him funds to recruit trustworthy crew members and discussed their priorities moving forward.

The party faced difficult decisions about where to focus their efforts next. Sas's dark vision about the sky breaking apart seemed increasingly urgent, suggesting they needed to investigate whatever cosmic threat was approaching. They also recalled their earlier research about the mysterious city in the mist that warranted exploration. With war brewing between the factions, a king assassinated, and reality itself potentially under threat, the newly titled lords and ladies prepared to embark on their next adventure aboard their airship, knowing that greater challenges lay ahead.

Scenes

Downtime Wrap-up and Preparations

The party concludes their two-week downtime period, reviewing what each member accomplished and preparing for the upcoming ceremony.

• The party receives a magical bag that produces two pounds of meat per day to feed Artie the owlbear.
• Artie earned the respect of some individuals after giving up his cowl in a previous encounter.
• Sas experiences a dark vision where the sky appears to be breaking apart, and Bast urges the party to hurry.
• Bast gives the party a herary, which will allow them to access outer space when they have their ship.
• Barlo successfully gambles and participates in fighting pits during downtime.
• Bastion recovers from a summer cold.
• The party discusses acquiring magic tattoos, with Shadow attempting to obtain several types.
• Shadow successfully acquires a Tattoo of Warding (large, average) from the tattoo artist.
• Sas spends two weeks learning herbalism and crafts two regular healing potions for each party member using party funds.
• Barlo picks up his critical gem (Bloodstone) set in a ring, paying the remaining 2,000 gold balance.
• Bastion attunes to his bracers during the night's rest.

Contracts and Banking

The party reviews and signs contracts for their new keep and lands, and discusses banking options.

• The party reviews three contracts: one for the deed to the plotted land, one establishing tax obligations that the Elder can adjust as necessary, and one swearing fealty to help protect the lands.
• The party discusses concerns about the Elder's right to change tax rates at any time.
• Barlo signs the deed for the keep and the fealty agreement, making a beak mark on the paper.
• The party is offered personal banking accounts requiring a 100 gold piece starting fee, which provide security but no interest.
• The party withdraws 1,000 gold pieces from their settlement savings for the keep.

Party Name Brainstorming

The party engages in a lengthy and humorous discussion about what to name their adventuring group.

• Various party name suggestions are proposed including: Contingency Plan, Bitter Pills, Incontrovertibles, Misery's End, Merc and Mirth, and Mighty Menagerie.
• The party becomes fixated on creating acronyms, particularly 'IBS' (Incontrovertible Bronze Squad, Indomitable Berserkers of Slaughter, Irresistible Band of Swiftness, Imperial Blood Sworn Society, Infinite Bacon Supply, Irresistible Banter Squad, Intrepid Buffoons Society).
• The idea of 'PMS' (Private Military Squad, Perpetual Mischiefs Society) is also suggested for humorous effect.
• The party considers 'The Bronze Butterfly' or 'BB' as a tavern name, referencing Barlo's Bronze Canyon origins and his middle nickname.
• No final decision is made on the party name.

Meeting with Reginald and Hiring an Assistant

The party finds Reginald at the keep and learns troubling news, then meets with Jeets to discuss hiring an assistant.

• The party finds Reginald, Remington, the elder twins, and Reginald socializing in the upstairs common area of the keep.
• Reginald shares that his uncle has gained control of another area in the Kingdom of Enond and is attempting to overthrow the king.
• Reginald explains that his uncle has been building up forces, making direct confrontation imprudent.
• The party attempts to lighten Reginald's mood with their party name brainstorming, though he remains preoccupied.
• Jeets provides an update on the keep's construction, mentioning progress on the armory and plans for a tavern and garrison.
• Jeets offers references for potential assistants, including Ellas Lantaththar (a 154-year-old firbolg former navigator) and Bess Lambard (deemed unreliable).
• The party decides to interview Ellas at a local inn.

Interviewing and Hiring Ellas

The party interviews Ellas, a firbolg former sailor, and decides to hire him as their assistant.

• Jeets leads the party to an inn where Ellas is found enjoying an evening drink.
• Ellas is described as seven and a half feet tall with a wiry build, elaborate lip and forehead piercings, and carrying a sword.
• Ellas explains he worked in navigation on ships and retired due to bad experiences with pirates.
• The party asks about the Pirate King, and Ellas confirms that few outside pirate circles know the Pirate King's true identity.
• Shadow uses her Ring of Truth to gain advantage on Insight checks and determines Ellas is being honest about his past and his interest in the position.
• The party hires Ellas as their assistant to manage day-to-day operations of the keep and their business affairs.
• Ellas agrees to start immediately and is taken to the Elder's Keep.

The Ceremony

The party attends a ceremony where they are granted titles of Lord and Lady, with family members present.

• The party arrives at the Elder's Keep for the ceremony and sees many familiar faces.
• Barlo sees his father, brothers (including Quirky Time and Curious Year), and a three-year-old tortoise sibling.
• Barlo spots his mother trying to stay hidden in the shadows with her cloak up.
• The procession moves to a hillside that transitions into the Feywild side.
• The Elder officially grants the party members the titles of Lord and Lady.
• Fireworks are lit to celebrate the occasion.

Ambush at the Ceremony

The celebration is violently interrupted when assassins attack Reginald and his companions.

• As the party walks down the hill after the ceremony, a Leonin assistant walking with Reginald is struck by a crossbow bolt.
• Reginald attempts to hold up the wounded Leonin as he begins to slide down.
• Shadow pulls out her bow and the party begins running toward the wounded.
• Shadow and Bastion attempt to determine the trajectory of the attack and locate the source.
• Bastion identifies a cluster of trees about 200 feet away as the likely origin point.
• Barlo begins sprinting toward the tree line at full speed while raging.
• Reginald and his two assistants teleport away from the scene.

Combat in the Trees

The party engages goblins and an orc who ambushed the ceremony from the tree line.

• Bastion is struck by an arrow for six points of piercing damage but chooses not to use Shield.
• Barlo is hit by a crossbow bolt for six points of piercing damage (reduced by rage).
• Shadow casts Ensnaring Strike and fires at a goblin in a tree, killing it with a critical hit and causing it to fall.
• An orc wielding a great axe swings through the branches and jumps in front of Barlo, grunting in his face.
• Calliope casts Vicious Mockery on the orc, causing blood to trickle from its nose and giving it disadvantage.
• A goblin shoots Artie with an arrow for three points of piercing damage.
• Bastion activates Blade Song and attacks a goblin on the ground.
• Barlo attacks the orc, then climbs 40 feet up a tree and kills another goblin with a critical hit, causing it to fall.
• Shadow kills another goblin with her bow and swarm attacks.
• Bastion delivers a powerful Green Flame Blade attack to the orc for 27 points of damage, incapacitating it.
• Bastion secures the orc as a prisoner with rope.

Interrogation and Dire News

The party secures their prisoner and learns of a larger conspiracy involving assassination and political upheaval.

• The wounded Leonin is tended to and survives thanks to the quick response.
• The party notices the captured orc and other attackers bear the mark of the red Bloodhands.
• The captured individual is identified as one of the Bloodhands, a mercenary group hired by Zirin.
• A Leonin explains that the Bloodhands have been growing in power by collecting mercenary groups and ruffians.
• The party recalls that Zirin has been working with the Arcane Order, and that the Arcane Order worked with Jacoby Drexelhand.
• Evidence suggests the Arcane Order and Bloodhands stole documents from Jacoby Drexelhand's desk at River's Keep.
• The Arcane Order helped put Reginald back in power by revealing why Zirin shouldn't lead.
• The Leonin guards announce that King Ymeoz Primeguides of the Majestic Kingdom of Enond was assassinated that same morning.
• The party realizes this was a coordinated attack to eliminate both Reginald and the king, weakening the region's leadership.
• The Leonin take the prisoner to the village for proper interrogation.

Ship Preparations and Next Steps

Returning to town amid chaos, the party discusses their airship and considers their priorities.

• The party returns to town, which is in a state of panic due to news of the warfront and the king's assassination.
• Ellas informs the party that Morenars Neyers failed to secure proprietary rights to the ship design, meaning anyone can build one.
• Ellas explains the ship will need crew for sails and rigging, and can use a professor orb as a power source with spell slots.
• The party gives Ellas 100 gold pieces to recruit good, trustworthy crew members for the airship.
• The party discusses their next priorities: investigating the war between the factions and addressing Sas's dark vision about the sky breaking apart.
• The party recalls they need to investigate the 'city in the mist' that was researched in an earlier outing.

Memorable Moments

The party spends an extended time brainstorming party names, becoming fixated on creating the acronym 'IBS' (Incontrovertible Bronze Squad) and joking about bowel movements.

The party is trying to come up with an official name for their adventuring group and keeps returning to bathroom humor

"Show yourself out here, you fucking coward! I don't give a shit about your minions!"
— Barlo

Barlo rages and charges toward the tree line during the ambush, shouting at the hidden assassins

Barlo climbs 40 feet up a tree and delivers a critical hit to a goblin, sending its body plummeting to the ground.

During the ambush combat, Barlo uses his climbing speed to scale a tree and eliminate a hidden sniper

The party learns that King Ymeoz Primeguides was assassinated the same morning as the attack on Reginald, revealing a coordinated plot.

After capturing an orc bearing the Bloodhands mark, the Leonin guards reveal the larger conspiracy

"You should probably start taking lessons from the monkeys. You suck at this."
— Calliope

Calliope casts Vicious Mockery on a goblin scrambling through tree branches during combat

NPCs

Bast

A powerful entity who appears to Sas in visions. During this session, Bast appears in Sas's dark vision showing the sky breaking apart and urges the party to hurry. Bast also provides the party with a herary to allow them to access outer space with their ship.

Rhine

The Elder's assistant who handles contracts and administrative tasks related to the party's new lands and keep.

Jeets

An individual overseeing the construction of the party's keep. He provides updates on progress, including work on the armory, and helps the party find an assistant by providing references.

Reginald

A Leonin ally of the party who is troubled by his uncle's attempts to gain power in the Kingdom of Enond and overthrow the king. He is present at the ceremony when one of his Leonin assistants is shot by assassins. He teleports away with his assistants after the attack.

Remington

One of the elder twins, seen socializing with Reginald in the upstairs common area of the keep.

Reginald

An individual found socializing with Reginald, Remington, and the elder twins in the upstairs common area.

Ellas Lantaththar

A 154-year-old firbolg hired by the party as their assistant. He is seven and a half feet tall with a wiry build, elaborate piercings on his lip and forehead, and carries a sword. He has extensive experience as a ship navigator but retired from sailing due to bad encounters with pirates. He is tasked with managing the keep and recruiting crew for the airship.

Bess Lambard

A potential assistant candidate mentioned by Jeets but deemed unreliable.

Barlo's Father

Barlo's dad who attends the ceremony at the Elder's Keep.

Quirky Time

One of Barlo's brothers who attends the ceremony.

Curious Year

One of Barlo's brothers mentioned as being present.

Barlo's Mother (Lucky Song "Song)

Barlo's mother who attends the ceremony while trying to stay hidden in the shadows with her cloak up.

Three-year-old Tortoise

Barlo's youngest sibling, a three-year-old tortoise who attends the ceremony.

Leonin Assistant

An unnamed Leonin who was walking with Reginald during the ceremony and was struck by a crossbow bolt in the ambush. He was tended to and survived.

Goblins

Small humanoid enemies who participated in the ambush, hiding in trees up to 40 feet high and firing crossbows and arrows. Several were killed by the party during combat.

Orc

A large enemy wielding a great axe who swung through tree branches and jumped in front of Barlo during the ambush. He bore the mark of the red Bloodhands and was identified as one of Zirin's people. He was incapacitated and captured by the party.

Zirin Shadowtooth

The leader of the Bloodhands, a growing faction of mercenaries and ruffians. He has been working with the Arcane Order and building up forces. The captured orc was identified as one of his people.

King Ymeoz Primeguides

The king of the Majestic Kingdom of Enond who was assassinated on the morning of the ceremony, as part of what appears to be a coordinated attack with the ambush on Reginald.

Jacoby Drexelhand

A figure who was part of the Arcane Order and worked with the Bloodhand Orcs. The Arcane Order and Bloodhands stole documents from his desk at River's Keep, leading to the Arcane Order turning against him.

Morenars Neyers

An individual who failed to secure proprietary rights to the airship design, much to his displeasure.

Leonin Guards

Guards who take the captured orc prisoner to the village for interrogation and explain the political situation regarding the Bloodhands and the assassination.

Locations

Elder's Keep

The central hub where the party concludes their downtime, reviews contracts, and where the ceremony granting them titles takes place. Features an upstairs common area called the 'treehouse' where Reginald and others socialize.

Feywild Hillside

A scenic hillside where the ceremony took place, which transitions into the Feywild. The procession walked to the top of this hill, and from there the party could see the real world. The celebration was interrupted by an ambush from a nearby tree line.

Tree Line

A cluster of trees about 200 feet from the ceremony site where the assassins hid and launched their ambush. The trees were tall enough for goblins to hide 40 feet up in the branches.

Kingdom of Enond

A Leonin kingdom to the northeast, also called the Majestic Kingdom of Enond. Its king was assassinated on the morning of the ceremony. Reginald's uncle has been attempting to take control of areas within this kingdom.

Inn

A nondescript establishment in town where the party met and interviewed Ellas, who was enjoying an evening drink at the tavern.

The Ship

The party's airship, which has a bottom deck featuring a private grove room with a magic circle for teleportation. The ship can be powered by a professor orb using spell slots.

Village

The settlement where the captured assassin was taken for interrogation by the Leonin guards, and where the party returns to find the town in a state of panic.

River's Keep

A location mentioned where Jacoby Drexelhand's desk was located, from which the Arcane Order and Bloodhands stole important documents.

Items

Magical Meat Bag

A bag that produces about two pounds of meat per day to feed Artie the owlbear, ensuring he doesn't starve.

Artie's Cowl

A cowl that Artie gave up in a previous encounter, which earned him the respect of certain individuals.

Herary

A device or item given to the party by Bast that will allow them to access outer space when they have their ship.

Tattoo of Warding

A large, average magic tattoo successfully acquired by Shadow from a tattoo artist during downtime.

Healing Potions

Regular healing potions crafted by Sas during her two weeks of downtime. She made two potions for each party member using party funds (250 gold pieces total).

Bloodstone (Critical Gem)

A critical gem that expands the wielder's critical hit range, purchased by Barlo for 3,000 gold pieces total (2,000 down payment, 2,000 final payment). It is set in a ring rather than a gauntlet.

Ring of Truth

A magical ring worn by Shadow that grants advantage on Insight checks. She uses it to verify Ellas's honesty during his interview.

Bracers

Magical bracers that Bastion attunes to during a night's rest, which allow the wearer to cast Misty Step twice.

Contracts

Legal documents for the party's new lands and keep, including a deed, tax agreement, and fealty oath. Barlo signs one with a beak mark.

Crossbow

A ranged weapon used by the goblins during the ambush to shoot at party members and the Leonin assistant.

Great Axe

A large two-handed weapon wielded by the orc who attacked Barlo during the ambush.

Rope

A man rope used by Bastion to tie up and secure the captured orc prisoner after combat.

Professor Orb

A magical orb that can be used as a power source for the airship by channeling spell slots into it, offering an alternative to traditional gems.

Spells

Ensnaring Strike

A spell cast by Shadow during combat that causes magical vines to attempt to restrain a target. She used it against a goblin in a tree, though the goblin resisted the restraining effect. The attack itself was powerful enough to kill the goblin.

Nature's Veil

An ability used by Shadow after attacking, which makes her invisible until the start of her next turn.

Vicious Mockery

A spell cast by Calliope multiple times during combat that inflicts psychic damage and gives the target disadvantage on its next attack roll. She used it against the orc, causing blood to trickle from its nose, and against a goblin in a tree, leaving it bloodied.

Blade Song

A magical ability used by Bastion that enhances his combat capabilities, granting him an extra 10 feet of movement and increasing his armor class to 22.

Green Flame Blade

A spell used by Bastion in his attack against the orc, dealing 27 points of damage and incapacitating it.

Shield

A defensive reaction spell that Bastion considered using when struck by an arrow but ultimately chose not to cast when the attack roll of 18 would hit regardless.

Misty Step

A teleportation spell that Bastion can cast twice due to his bracers. He used it during the ambush to quickly move across the battlefield.

Classic

Last we left off, our party of adventurers concluded their well-earned downtime with new acquisitions and troubling revelations. Artie the owlbear received a magical meat-producing bag, while Shadow obtained a Tattoo of Warding and Sas crafted healing potions for the group. But darker omens loomed—Sas experienced another disturbing vision of the sky itself breaking apart, and Bast gifted them a herary for space travel, urging them to hurry. After signing contracts for their new keep and lands, engaging in an extended debate about naming their adventuring group (with particular fondness for the acronym "IBS"), and hiring Ellas Lantaththar—a retired firbolg navigator—to manage their affairs, the party attended a grand ceremony where the Elder bestowed upon each of them the title of Lord or Lady.

The celebration was violently shattered when assassins struck. A crossbow bolt felled Reginald's Leonin assistant as goblins and an orc bearing the mark of the red Bloodhands attacked from the tree line. The party engaged swiftly—Barlo raged and scaled forty feet up a tree to crush a goblin, Shadow picked off enemies with deadly precision, Bastion enhanced the group with magical song, and Calliope's vicious mockery left the orc bleeding from the nose. They captured the orc alive and learned the horrifying truth: King Ymeoz Primeguides had been assassinated that same morning. This was a coordinated plot by Zirin's Bloodhands faction and the Arcane Order to decapitate the kingdom's leadership in a single day.

Now, with war brewing, a king murdered, reality fracturing in Sas's visions, and their airship nearly ready to sail, the newly titled lords and ladies must decide where to focus their efforts. The cosmic threat grows closer, the mysterious city in the mist awaits investigation, and enemies move against them from multiple fronts. We pick up as the party prepares to embark on their next adventure, knowing that the fate of the kingdom—and perhaps reality itself—hangs in the balance...

Middle English

Harken well, ye gentlefolk brave,
Of lords and ladies new-made this day;
I shall recount their deedes most grave,
How fortune turned from feast to fray!

In downtyme's peace did each one thrive—
Artie fed by magick'd meat,
Whilst Barlo fought in pits alive,
And Sas brewed potions, bitter-sweet.
Shadow bore a warding mark,
Whilst Bastion nursed his summer's cold,
Then Bast did warn of skies grown dark,
And gave them keys to starres of old.

They signed their deedes with beak and hand,
Swore oathes to guard their new-won keep;
With firbolg Ellas, seasoned and grand,
To tend their holdings whilst they sleep.
They jested long on names most queer—
"Incontrovertible Bronze" they cried!
The Elder crowned them without peer,
As fireworkes blazed the mountainside.

But hark! A bolt through celebration flew,
The Leonin fell with traitor's sting;
That morn had seen King Ymeoz Primeguides slew,
And villains sought to slay everything!
The Bloodhands red, with Zirin's mark,
Did strike from trees with coward's aim,
But Barlo climbed through branches dark,
And Shadow's arrows found their claim.

The orc was bound, the plot revealed—
A double murder, king and friend!
Now war doth march across the field,
Whilst skies themselves portend an end.
With airship ready'd for the stars,
These lords must choose which path to take—
To mend the world or heal its scarres,
Ere all the heavens crack and break!

Snarky

Welcome to the episode where the party gets TITLES and LAND and immediately gets shot at, because nothing says "congratulations on your noble status" like an assassination attempt at your own ceremony. Classic D&D timing.

After two weeks of downtime that included Barlo pit-fighting, Shadow getting inked with a Tattoo of Warding, and Sas having apocalyptic visions of the sky literally breaking (no big deal), the party became official Lords and Ladies in a beautiful hilltop ceremony. They even spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to name their group, becoming obsessed with the acronym "IBS" for Incontrovertible Bronze Squad, because nothing screams "heroic adventurers" like irritable bowel syndrome. But the celebration was cut short when crossbow bolts started flying and a Leonin assistant went down. Turns out, this wasn't just bad party crashers—it was a coordinated attack by the Bloodhands faction timed with the assassination of King Ymeoz Primeguides that same morning. Someone really wanted both Reginald AND the king dead on the same day, which is honestly efficient villainy. The party fought off goblins and an orc (who they captured for interrogation), but now they're staring down multiple existential threats: Sas's vision of reality breaking, a brewing war, a dead king, and they STILL need to get their airship operational. At least they hired Ellas the retired firbolg navigator to manage their keep, so that's one thing off the list. Nothing like juggling cosmic horror, political assassination, and property management all at once.

Limerick

The party's downtime came to an end,
With Artie's meat bag and potions to mend.
Sas saw skies breaking apart,
While Bast gave a gift from the heart,
A herary for space trips to send!

They signed for their keep with great care,
A deed, taxes, and oaths to declare.
Barlo's beak made his mark,
Then naming debates did embark,
"IBS" had them laughing with flair!

At the ceremony grand on the hill,
The Elder bestowed titles with skill.
But crossbow bolts flew,
Goblins and orcs they slew,
A Bloodhands attack, coordinated and shrill!

The orc bore the red mark they knew,
As Zirin's dark faction now grew.
Then guards brought the word,
Most tragic they'd heard,
King Ymeoz Primeguides was murdered—a coup!

With airship plans ready to sail,
And cosmic threats starting to pale,
War brews in the land,
New lords take their stand,
Adventure awaits without fail!

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16