(S077) A Bag of Tricks

During downtime in Thornwinds, the party splits up for research and shopping, picking up magical stealth cloaks, a creature-summoning bag, and navigating a run-in with port guards.

📝 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

S077: A Bag of Tricks

Date: 2024-10-27

Short

The adventurers took a respite in Thornwinds following their recent exploits and elevation to nobility. While resting, the party members pursued individual interests: Shadow studied a mind flayer detection tattoo and explored magical shops, Bastion researched magical enhancements, Calliope searched for sparkly materials, and Sas investigated remedies for their Vecna-related nightmares. The group's shopping expedition proved fruitful when Barlo and Shadow purchased a creature-summoning bag for 3000 gold pieces, though Barlo had to deliver a mysterious letter and deal with a guard's extortion first. The party also acquired magical stealth cloaks and sound-producing figurines from the city's vibrant marketplace.

Summary

The adventurers found themselves taking a well-deserved rest in the city of Thornwinds following their recent escapades involving a wizard, aiding Calliope's homeland, and their elevation to nobility. During their downtime, each member of the party pursued their own interests within the bustling city. Shadow dedicated her time to studying Barlo's new mind flayer detection tattoo, hoping to replicate its intricate design, while Bastion immersed himself in tomes about magical enhancements. Calliope wandered the town in search of sparkly materials, and Sas delved into research about herbal remedies that might protect against the nightmares that had been plaguing them - dreams connected to Vecna's relentless pursuit of an orb in their possession.

Shadow made her way to a hidden establishment known as the Iridescent Vault, where an Eccentric Gnome shopkeeper presided over an impressive collection of magical items. She later ventured into the city's marketplace, methodically examining craft fair-style stalls while employing her detect magic abilities to identify enchanted objects. The bustling bazaar proved to be a treasure trove of magical curiosities.

The party's shopping expedition took an interesting turn when Barlo and Shadow discovered a remarkable bag capable of summoning magical creatures. They successfully negotiated its purchase for 3000 gold pieces, but only after Barlo completed a delivery of a mysterious letter to the Port Authority. During this errand, Barlo had an uncomfortable encounter with a guard named Jack James, who managed to extract 5 gold pieces from him over weapons regulations and some business involving a deceased priest. The group rounded out their shopping spree by acquiring magical cloaks that enhanced their stealth capabilities, as well as some whimsical figurines that could produce animal sounds.

Scenes

Tattoo and Research Activities

• Shadow begins copying Barlo's mind flayer detection tattoo
• Bastion casts Enhance Ability to help Shadow
• Shadow makes progress on copying the tattoo over multiple hours
• Bastion studies a book about magical stones and souls
• Bastion discovers a recipe for magical sending stones
• Calliope searches for sparkly materials in town
• Calliope receives a mysterious card leading to 'iridescent balls'
• Sas researches herbal remedies for dream protection

Iridescent Vault Shopping Experience

• Shadow follows directions on a card to find a hidden shop
• Uses a special glove to gain insight about the door and previous visitors
• Presents a coin as entrance fee which turns to powder when bitten
• Browses and purchases several magical items from the Eccentric Gnome shopkeeper
• Receives a discount for buying multiple items

Market and Bazaar Adventures

• Shadow and Barlo explore the Port City Markets
• Shadow casts Detect Magic to identify magical items in the market
• Browses through craft fair-style stalls near the port
• Party discovers various magical items including color-changing potions
• Find enchanted cloaks that give advantage on stealth
• Discover wooden figurines that make animal sounds
• Locate a special bag that can summon magical creatures

Port Authority Mission

• Barlo delivers mysterious letter to Port Authority
• Notices suspicious interaction between religious figure and guard
• Encounters Guard Jack James who demands 5 gold payment
• Successfully completes delivery and returns to purchase magical bag

Spells

Enhance Ability

Cast by Bastion to help Shadow with her Intelligence checks while copying the tattoo, doubling her proficiency bonus

Detect Magic

Cast by Shadow to identify magical items in the market, allowing her to see faint auras around magical objects within 30 feet

Fairy Fire

Effect that can be created by the wishing powder, lasting for one minute

Message

Used by Barlo to attempt communication with the fleeing religious figure, has a range of 120 feet

Memorable Moments

Shadow studying Barlo's mind flayer detection tattoo in hopes of replicating it.

During downtime in the city of Thornwinds

Barlo and Shadow negotiating the purchase of a magical creature-summoning bag for 3000 gold pieces.

During a shopping expedition in the city

Barlo's uncomfortable encounter with guard Jack James, who extracted 5 gold pieces from him.

While delivering a mysterious letter to the Port Authority

NPCs

Eccentric Gnome

A mysterious gnome with patchy hair wearing a black cloak who gives Calliope a silver piece and a card with directions. Also known to be a secretive merchant who runs the Iridescent Vault, selling magical items and being particular about who can enter his shop. Shows special items to trusted customers and emphasizes discretion.

Jack James

A city guard who patrols the area near the port authority. Appears to be involved in minor corruption, extorting travelers for carrying weapons and using magic within city limits

Locations

Thornwinds

A port town where the party is currently staying, featuring busy markets and various shops

Iridescent Vault

A hidden speakeasy-style shop accessed through a basement door in a thin alleyway, containing shelves of magical gems, glitters, powders, and trinkets

Port City Markets

A bustling market area with various setups including pop-up booths near the port, warehouses with shops between them, and designated market areas

City Bazaar

A temporary marketplace set up for two days featuring various magical and artistic wares, including enchanted items, textiles, and crafts

Port Authority

Official building where shipping and mailing services are handled in the city

Items

Mind Flayer Detection Tattoo

A magical tattoo that glows when within 100 feet of a mind flayer, featuring complex line work that contains magical properties

Protected Orb

An orb contained in a brass container given by Bast, protected from Vecna's attempts to steal it through dreams

Gem of Many Colors

A large opal-like gem with six faces that shows rainbow colors when moved in light. Can provide healing, cast Color Spray, or help in dangerous situations once per day.

Bag of Summoning

A tan-colored magical bag that can summon friendly magical creatures three times per day. Demonstrated to summon an axe-beak creature. Valued at 3000 gold pieces

Magic of Stone and Souls Book

A book written by Theodis, a dwarf wizard, containing information about mining techniques and magical recipes

Classic

Last we left off, our intrepid adventurers found themselves taking respite in the city of Thornwinds, having recently completed a series of remarkable endeavors that saw them elevated to nobility and assisting in matters concerning Calliope's homeland. The party members scattered throughout the city, each pursuing their own interests: Shadow studied the intricacies of Barlo's mind flayer detection tattoo, Bastion buried himself in magical research, Calliope searched for sparkling materials, and Sas investigated remedies for the Vecna-induced nightmares that had been haunting their sleep.

Their time in the city led them to various merchants and establishments, most notably the mysterious Iridescent Vault, where an eccentric Gnome shopkeeper presided over a collection of magical curiosities. The party's exploration of the local marketplace proved particularly fruitful, with Shadow employing her magical detection abilities to uncover hidden enchanted treasures among the seemingly ordinary merchant stalls.

The day's shopping reached its climax when Barlo and Shadow acquired a remarkable creature-summoning bag for 3000 gold pieces, though not before Barlo found himself in an awkward encounter with a guard named Jack James during a peculiar errand to the Port Authority. The party concluded their shopping expedition by obtaining magical stealth-enhancing cloaks and curious figurines capable of producing animal sounds, adding yet more interesting tools to their growing arsenal...

Snarky

When last we left our adventurers, they were taking a much-needed breather in Thornwinds after their latest round of chaos involving wizards, homeland heroics, and somehow stumbling into nobility - because apparently that's just how they roll. While Shadow was getting her tattoo artist on with Barlo's mind flayer detection ink, Bastion had his nose buried in magical books, Calliope was living her best magpie life hunting for anything shiny, and Sas was desperately trying to find a cure for their Vecna-induced nightmare situation. You know, just another Tuesday for this bunch.

Things got interesting when Shadow decided to check out the Iridescent Vault, run by what can only be described as the most extra gnome shopkeeper in existence. Not content with just one shopping spree, the party hit up the local marketplace where Shadow basically turned into a magical metal detector, scanning every craft fair booth in sight. Because why browse normally when you can browse with magic?

The shopping shenanigans reached their peak when Barlo and Shadow scored a sweet magical creature-summoning bag for 3000 gold, but not before Barlo had to play courier and deal with a guard named Jack James, who somehow managed to squeeze five gold pieces out of him over some weapons paperwork and a dead priest situation (don't ask). The cherry on top? They all walked away with some sweet new stealth cloaks and magical animal noise makers, because apparently that's exactly what this group needed.

Middle English

Hark! A tale of noble deeds,
In Thornwinds fair where rest they seek,
Of heroes who, from quests now freed,
Take solace for a fortnight's week.

Shadow fair with studious mind,
O'er tattoos magical did pore,
While Bastion in his tomes did find,
Enchantments deep from ancient lore.

Fair Calliope through streets did roam,
For sparkling treasures far and wide,
And Sas, with thoughts of dreams that roam,
Sought herbs to stem dark Vecna's tide.

To Iridescent Vault they went,
Where dwelt a Gnome of curious ways,
Through marketplace their steps were bent,
'Mid magic's soft detecting rays.

A wondrous bag they chanced to spy,
That creatures magical could yield,
Three thousand gold they did apply,
Its mysteries soon to be revealed.

Poor Barlo to the Port did go,
Where Jack James guard did levy fee,
Five pieces gold, a tale of woe,
Of weapons law and clergy's plea.

With cloaks of stealth upon their back,
And figures small that beast-sounds make,
Our heroes, blessed with fortune's track,
Their rest in Thornwinds town did take.

Exported from GMAssistant on 2026-08-16