[Game Thread] A Trip to Remember

[Mindsiege]

Trip into the City After both versions of Almavalesh had announced that they would be leaving soon, both the memory searching the memory of his study and the swallow guiding the group Starlight, Mayuri passed through the living room and then out of the adventurers view. It didn't take much longer for the debonaire mage to settle whatever matter he didn't finish searching that day and while he ruefully shook his head to himself, he went to leave both his and his wife's shared workshop. Not willing to risk losing any moment of the memory or afraid of what would happen if they strayed too far from the narrative of that day, most of the adventurers followed Almavalesh on his heels which led them right in the direction that Mayuri had left. Slightly left behind was only Earlamar, who took the moment when he felt himself no longer observed to enter deeper into the workshop and peruse the shelves and tables that made up the left half of the room. Starlight had flown off with Derek and Oguun, so for a moment, the half-elf was alone with a menagerie of gardening tools, pots and plants, but also several herbs and bags of seeds. While scanning everything it wasn't just utilities or practical things though and there were at least a few vases and pots that were obviously decorative from Earlamar's limited knowledge of such things. Knowing that it would require him a bit of time to differentiate any useful plants from the useless, his gaze drifted back to what Mayuri had worked on. At first glance, it didn't look like anything special to Earlamar. There was a carriable flowerbed that had been freshly raked and seeded, and while Mayuri had left both the tools and the jute bag of seeds lying out in the open, the seeding had been completed accurately. Similarly trailing behind like Earlamar was inside the workshop, Aurora, who up to that point hadn't left the living room after smashing the rather expensive-looking glass window, wasn't following yet as well. Between all the talk of magic and dreams, there had fallen a few words that inspired her to try her own experiments within the dreamscape. The idea was rather simple, if this world wasn't real and no things had any business being here, why couldn't there be something there that she wanted there? While the others were already walking by her, the eternal bride focused on a small decorative table that had been placed near her position and as she bundled her thoughts on a single thing, she willed that something should be there, something like... a plate of brownies. While the other adventurers were passing through, none of them saw what then appeared to Aurora's senses. The table in front of her began to ripple, just like if she had thrown a large stone into a dark wooden-colored pool of water. The same kind of dust and fraying at the ends that she had seen from Grimly's non-collision with Almavalesh and what Oguun had seen in the far distance outside was now happening right in front of her, but none of the other adventurers even took notice. Just for a moment, she saw the hint of a small plate of brownies emerge from inside of the table, veiled behind a spray of dreamlike dust, but then, within just another second the ripples receded and whatever brownies she had seen disappeared back into the wood like they had never been there. The table was empty and still as before, hard and unyielding if touched. There were voices coming from the direction where the other adventurers had already left, but the mesmerizing experience seemed to have been only her own. While Almavalesh and Mayuri had regrouped in a very homely kitchen that was right next to a small welcoming room that seemed to lead out into the streets, the adventurers watched a small scene of the mage and his wife preparing to leave into the city. The fine clothes that Mayuri had been wearing even while working inside her workshop were looking near immaculate, but since gardening is not a clean business there were a few smudges of earth or chlorophyll here and there. The noble-looking woman didn't fret about those flaws at all though, and the adventurers watched as Almavalesh moved to cast a simple bit of magic on his wife's clothes that let any stains disappear within seconds. While the loving couple exchanged a bit more banter and weren't in a hurry to leave, Derek knew that the departure was on the horizon though and so he recalled Nephala to learn what his familiar had learnt during its short tour of the house. Telepathically, the necromancer received a report of an overall well-decorated home that wasn't too luxuriant but still spoke of a bit of fortune that must lie behind the Avalladasz name. There had been a few closed doors so some rooms like the bed chambers had been barred for Nephala to explore, but in the rooms that she had visited she had not seen anything that was out of the ordinary or seemed of Derek's GM note: I'm omitting the full report, but you can consult Nephala on anything that seems relevant to Derek, either IC or OOC if you want it a bit faster.immediate concern. While the group waited for the marital pair to move out, Starlight gave the adventurers that had followed into the kitchen a few last-minute instructions. "So... After my wife and I will leave, we are headed for the market in the northern direction. I know that I've glossed over it before, but even though I don't remember it personally, Mayuri has given me quite a bit of detail on what she could remember. We talked quite a bit after I discovered that I'm lacking half a day of my life." With the bird's crystalline voice it wasn't as easy to read their quest giver's emotions as if he had joined them on their dream journey in his human form, but it was still discernable that his current situation was something Almavalesh was uncomfortable with. "In summary, my wife and I started our trip without any anomalies, and only when we arrived at the market did we meet with said man that then asked me for my help on his personal matter. I do consider myself a bit of a samaritan, so even as the day had been meant as a leisure trip, by my wive's retelling he convinced me to lend him my aid to receive him as my patient. Whereafter it seems that I decided to follow him to his home." With their focus split between what Almavalesh's dream version was doing and what Starlight was explaining, the adventurers and their dream guide noticed that the pair was ready to leave when the two of them left into the entrance room and Mayuri gracefully hooked herself into the debonaire's offered arm. "Seems like we'll be heading out now, is everybody here? I'll have a bit more time to share my wife's tale when we arrive at the market and before my past self meets the other adventurer. Feel free to keep track of myself as well as you've done so far, I'll be making a bit of use of the novelty of having wings and go flying overhead the street." But Almavalesh and Mayuri didn't wait for any of the people that they couldn't even perceive, so when they left through the sturdy door that posed the entrance into their home sweet home, the adventurers only had mere moments to pose any of their concerns before Starlight flew out of the door as well and then high into the air. Out in the streets, just like Aurora and Oguun had seen before, the dreamscape seemed like the perfect emulation of how Westhaven was in reality. The Avalladasz household was located in one of the prettier sections of Westhaven and although the frontier city couldn't keep up with the beauty of an older, richer and more established city from the eastern continent, especially Almavalesh's house had its own beauty because even when new, it had been clearly erected with a certain sense of esthetic in mind. The day was a mild one and there were generally quite a few of Westhaven's citizens about, and since it had been dry for a few days, the weather and ambiance made for a great package deal for a nice date. The mage and his wife were walking closely side-by-side and not making any secrets of them being wife and husband. For the first block down the road, they seemed to be simply enjoying each other's company while walking over the cobble, and even for anybody that had never done any shadowing before, since they did stick out quite a bit, they were exceptionally easy to follow. While there were other people about as well, the street in this area was spacious and the adventurers had a lot of room to choose how to go about their business of keeping an eye on Almavalesh's past self.

 

GM instructions So, I'm trying to keep exposition to a minimum, but the nature of living through a memory comes with it, as I've noticed. While the NPCs have left the home, the narrative doesn't assume that all of the adventurers have as well. You will have to tell me what your character is doing and whether Earlamar or Aurora for example have done anything else inside the house. This post was only roughly chronological, so there would have been a bit of time to do things before being left behind by the memory. We can also settle things as flashbacks, so please don't feel hurried along. Only worry about being left behind if you start things that would take a long time and none of the other adventurers warn you that they are leaving. With the next post, I'd like everybody to restate what they're doing, how you're acting if and after following the memory and how you want to position yourself relative to Dream-Almavalesh. Starlight is generally available to be talked to and of course you might want to discuss how to go about your quest amongst yourselves. If you don't really know what's expected of you as players, you can figure that your characters would be facing the same confusion and I'd be glad to hear about that in their own voice. Otherwise, I'm always there for questions and clarifications in the OOC. Rolls: - Initiative Character AC HP Status Action Position Character AC HP PP PI Movement Conditions Resources Derek Draven 12 6/6 17 20 30' Inspiration Arcane Recovery 1/1; Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Earlamar Xyr 15 7/7 12 10 30' Inspiration Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Oguun 18/16 9/9 14 13 30' Inspiration Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Rolen Galanodel 16/13 8/8 11 16 30' Active Mage Armor, Inspiration Arcane Recovery 1/1; Spells I. 1/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Baka 19/17 11/11 13 11 30' Inspiration Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Geghard Van 19/17 12/12 13 11 30' Inspiration Second Wind 1/1; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Aurora Turpis 17/16 11/11 15 11 30' Inspiration Spells I. 1/2; Goodberries 4/4; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Nephala 12 1/1 13 6 10' / 50' (fly) - -

[Togot]

Derek Draven I thanked Nephala and patted her gently. I hadn't really expected much from her report, but I wanted to be diligent on my first job. As we headed outside, I sent Nephala again to scout the area and report to me if she found anything unusual or dangerous. As for myself, I stayed close to our Memory host so as not to lose him. I also wanted to be close enough to hear what he was saying, both to his wife and the mysterious man when he arrived. I felt awkward shadowing someone while eavesdropping on their conversations. Was this what rogues and thieves felt like? I didn't see the appeal. it made me feel slightly ashamed. As if I were deliberately disobeying my parents.The feeling was irrational of course, so I paid it little mind. My thoughts turned to the scroll and a sense of anxiety over whether or not I would even have the time to study it while doing the job before our task as completed. Only time would tell, I suppose.

OOC Dice Nephala's perception: d20+3 (19)+3 Total = 22

Stat Block AC:12 HP:6/6 STR:7 DEX:14 CON:11 INT:16 WILL:14 CHA:16 Passive Perception:17 Spells Prepared/Spell Slots:1st 2/2, mage armor, charm person, false life, magic missile Character Sheet

[BarrowB]

Aurora "What a bummer..." Aurora sighed, seeing that her attempt failed. "Guys, if we get into a dire situation, don't try to get us out of it with dreaming things into existence. Even the most simple stuff is difficult." She let others know. When they walked outside, she tried to be close to Almavalesh and a bit to the right. The shadowing just begun and she was already getting a bit bored. "Well, how about a little experiment?" She asked no one in particular and didn't wait for an answer. Aurora sheathed one of her sabres and snapped her fingers, creating a small, candle-like flame. She approached one of the citizens, who were walking roughly in the same direction, and tried to light their clothes on fire. Her eyes wandered from person to person, to Perception 17try to see if anyone besides her group even reacted to what she was doing.

OOC Used druidcraft to make a small flame Perception 17 Initiative Character AC HP Status Actions Position - Aurora Turpis 17/16 11/11 Weapons out - ~10ft from The non-bird oneAlmavalesh

[Corwin]

Oguun Oguun trailed through the house after the memory-mage, waiting uncomfortably in the kitchen like an unwelcome guest as dream-Almavalesh and his mate prepared to venture out. Finally they were ready to go. The githzerai's throat went dry as he followed them out of their home and into the streets of Westhaven, his lifetime of experience crying out against an act that would have been simple suicide in Limbo, but which seemed utterly routine in the Material Plane. At home, there was no safety beyond the walls and only Slaadi survived outside the shields. Here, people walked unshielded under the open sky above and the ground stubbornly remained below, neither dissolving nor exploding nor cartwheeling away. This world was one large Citadel. He wasn't sure how the material folk could stand it. Trying not to show his fear, he fell into step directly behind dream-Almavalesh with Aurora to his right and Derek to his left. He wondered if there could be any use in going ahead to seek the mysterious client before the encounter, but the idea seemed nonsensical. If dream-Almavalesh had not yet been there to see it, how could the client's actions before their meeting be part of his forgotten memory? He truly did not want to walk into spaces that might break into particles and fade as the horizon had appeared to do. He scanned ahead over the dream-mage's shoulder, looking for what? He didn't know. There was no shame in knowing one's limits. "Derek, Aurora. Should you see something out of the usual order, I would be grateful if you pointed it out to me. I am not skilled in distinguishing what is normal here and what is not."

 

Rolls and Actions Rolls: Perception - 23 Action Summary Move: follow dream-Almavalesh, directly behind him and Mayuri Action: Perception - 23, looking for really anything Reaction: Bonus Action: Object Interaction: Free Action: Concentration: Active Spells:

 

Stats Oguun character sheet Githzerai | Life Cleric of Zerthimon | Sage (Wizard's Apprentice) | Feats: none Githzerai Psionics | Mental Discipline | Disciple of Life HP: 9/9 | Armor Class: 16(18) | Stats/Saves: Str 13/+1; Dex 5/-3; Con 12/+1; Int 16/+3; Wis 18/+4; Cha 10/0 Senses: Passive Perception 14, Passive Investigation 13 Move: 30' | Conditions: none Languages: Common, Gith, Deep Speech, Undercommon Tool Proficiencies: none Attack Bonuses: Melee +3 | Ranged -1 | Magic +6 Spell Save DC: 14 Ranged weapon: javelin - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 piercing, range 30/120 Melee: mace - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 bludgeoning, range 5 Spells: Cantrips: 4 - Light, Mage Hand(invisible), Resistance, Toll the Dead Prepared Spells: 6 - Bane (1), Command (1), Guiding Bolt (1), Healing Word (1), Sanctuary (1), Shield of Faith (1) Domain Spells: 2 - Bless (1), Cure Wounds (1) Spell Slots: lv 1 - 2/2

[CoffeeRogue]

A Dreamy City Gardening was truly not one of Earlamar's forte so he decided to pocket some of the seeds from the open bag. May be Baka or one of the wizards had more insight about them than Earlamar. With that in mind, he rushes out following the rest and walking up to Baka, "What do you make of these?" he says as he hands the seeds to him, "The lady just finished planting these and I want to make sure they don't have anything to do with the whole memory thing" After having an "interesting" conversation with Baka about the seeds, Earlamar will proceed to follow the group venturing out into the dream version of the city. The fact that there is an exact replica of the city is overwhelming and not lost on Earlamar. While his understanding of the arcane realm was lacking, he couldn't help but be in awe of what one could achieve through it. Realizing that this was no time to blankly gawk at a potentially imaginary world, Earlamar shakes his head and focuses up - following the couple and the rest of the group. Once again, the agent of chaos in the group decides to do something so unexpected that Earlamar is taken aback by it. "You know if this dream city decides to turn against us, we're basically doomed. Right?", he says to Aurora without making any attempts at stopping her. Disregarding the potential danger of Aurora's exploits, Earlamar walks through the crowd, Stealth: 17hiding in plain sight as he does so while keeping a Perception: dirty 20watchful eye at the couple and their surroundings to see any interested parties other than their group. He makes sure to stay behind the couple, at least thirty - sometimes forty feet away from them.

 

Stat Block STR 14 DEX 18 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 18

Action Block Free Action: Roll(s): Stealth: 17, Perception: 20 (not nat) Action: Move: Bonus Action: Reaction: Condition:

[The Dark Star]

High Elf l Wizard 1 l 8/8 HP l 16 AC l Mage Armor Active l Spell Slots Lvl 1: O-X Rolen moved with the others as the dream continued to go on, he began to realize that the things around him continued on as well, each person was replaying their role. So, if there was someone that was following him, they might be in the crowd somewhere. "I'm going to take a look around the area where you met this man, there might be a chance that someone else was involved with your memory loss, and this was a setup, if these people are doing what was happening, then we should be able to notice someone acting out of the ordinary, or, if they really want to, have tried to take themselves out of your dream and show us an anomaly in this sequence." He said as he moved ahead as much as he could and began to look around to see if there was anyone, or anything that would indicate that they were paying attention to Almavalesh and his wife, or created an anomaly while they were trying to erase themselves from the dream. Mechanical Information Move: Interaction: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Rolls: Dice Perception: 1d20+3 (19)+3 Total = 22 Character Sheet Link

[Arkaon]

Baka Baka allowed himself to be swept along with the group as they congregated outside, awaiting the departure of the dream Almavalesh and his wife. The lovely household was comforting, a feeling he was not particularly accustomed too when it came to dreams, and he found he wanted to do little else but to sit about and enjoy the experience. Certainly, the slightest scratching at the edge of his consciousness broke any illusions that he was safe in this place, but despite that he knew this was a comfortable dream. If only, he wondered, the others knew how truly precious such a thing was. If he were honest, he was finding Starlight a little hard to follow, so as they all gathered outside Perception Check = 12he allowed his attention to slip around at the general surroundings. This was generally the first real look he'd gotten at Westhaven. Having seen little more than the inside of the "On Your Shield" Inn since he'd woken up on the back of the wagon at the behest of one irritated farmer. Baka was wondering at how similar this version of Westhaven would be to the real thing, whether Almavalesh's perspective would have any bearing on the way in which Westhaven was being represented. It would be an interesting insight into the world, gifted the chance to see how something looks through the recollections of someone else. Baka was determined not to let the neccessary intoxication of his mind rob him of the ability to gain that insight, and so he was busy trying his damndest to commit all the sights, sounds and smells to memory as he was approached by Grimly. "Harumph... hmmm." Baka's first offering as he ponders Grimly's question to him, is not one of substance, though his brow furrows as he considers it deeply, his bloodshot Nature Check = 0eyes examining the seeds closely. "I am not particularly good with seeds, I'm afraid. Mushrooms, spores, mycellia, these are things that speak to me. But for seeds? I can barely tell a pumpkin seed from a sesame one." Not wishing to let his new friend down, Baka held the seeds up before him, and squinted tightly as he examined them. Sadly, the little things scattered in his palm were not willing to divulge their secrets. Baka sighs heavily as he hands them back to Grimly. "Alas, I'm afraid I've no idea what these seeds are, friend Grimly. Perhaps one of the others?" Fortunately, spared from any further embarrassment at his failure when Aurora once more leant in to her destructive tendencies, as she apparently seemed to be trying to set the dream folk of the town on fire. His brow remains furrowed, despite the vexation of the seeds having passed, as a new source of concern is presented to him. "Friend Grimly, I am terribly afraid that you might be right about that."

 

Baka
Tortle		Druid		Level 1	True Neutral
Attribute Mod Str +1 Int -1 Dex -2 Wis +3 Con +3 Cha +1 Stat Inc/Dec 0 Sheet	Defenses HP 11/11 AC 19 Str +1 Dex -2 Con +3 Int +1 Wis +5 Cha +1 Temp HP 0	Supplemental Prof. +2 Initiative -2 Speed 30 Hit Die 1d8 HD Spent 0/1 Pas. Per. 11	Proficiencies Armour L/M No metal Weapon Druid   Tools Herb Kit Languages Common Aquan   Druidic	Rolls Initiative 0 Attack 0 Skill Check 0 Ability 0 Save 0
Equipment Weapons Item Weight Quarterstaff 4 Total 4 Armour Item Weight Wooden Shield 6 Total 6 Equipment Item Weight lbs Backpack 5 Bedroll 7 Common Clothes 3 Mess-Kit 1 Ratons x10 20 Waterskin 5 Herbalism Kit 3 Rope (Hemp) 10 Druidic Focus 0 Chest 25 Crowbar 5 Hammer 3 Wooden Stakes 0 Holy Symbol (Amulet) 1 Flask of Holy Water 1 Manacles 6 Steel Mirror .5 Flask of Oil 1 Tinderbox x2 2 Torches x13 13 Total Weight 111.5 Combined Weight 121.5   Equipment		Spells Spells Prepared 4 Cantrips Shillelagh Thorn Whip Level 1 Slots 2/2 Absorb Elements Cure Wounds Detect Magic Entangle   Prepared Spells	Claws Effect: Can make unarmed attack with claws as natural weapons (1d4+3 Slashing damage) Hold Breath Effect: Can hold breath for up to an hour Shell Defense Effect: You can withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, +4 to AC, Advantage on STR & CON saves, Speed is 0 (cannot be increased), become prone. Disadvantage on DEX saves and cannot take reacitons. No actions except "Emerge" as a bonus action. Abilities	Skills Acrobatics -2 Animal Handling +3 Arcana +1 Athletics +1 Deception +1 History -1 Insight +5 Intimidation +1 Investigation +1 Medicine +5 Nature -1 Perception +3 Performance +1 Persuasion +1 Religion -1 Sleight of Hand -2 Stealth -2 Survival +5 Herbalism Kit (WIS) +5 Herbalism Kit (INT) +1 Skills	Notes       Notes

 

Actions
Action	Nil
Bon. Action	Nil
Free Action	Nil
Movement	Nil
Reaction	Nil
Other	Perception Check = 12
	Nature Check = 0
Currently Equipped	Nil

[secretID]

Geghard Van, Human Fighter Sheet | AC: 19 | HP: 12/12 | Status: Normal Second Wind 1/1 | Polearm Master | Dueling Style Geghard moved to follow the couple closely, so as to catch every interaction they might have. Reflexively, he began by weaving his way through the passersby as one does, but as he acclimated to the colorful dream-street, he willed himself to simply push through the denizens of memory Westhaven. A ghost here, he haunted the couple. And focused as he was on this task, a half smile lingered on his face as he enjoyed the thrills of incorporeal tourism.

 

Applicable Spell/skills/statuses:
Initiative
Movement:
Free action:
Action:
Bonus action: None
Reaction:
Abilities: Polearm Master, Dueling
Resources: Second Wind 1/1
Dice rolls:

 

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PP: 13 | Speed: 30ft

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Abilities: Str 16 (+3), Dex 15 (+2), Con 14 (+2), Int 12 (+1), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 12 (+1)

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Saves: STR +5, CON +4

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Skills: Arcana +3, Athletics +5, History +3, Insight +3, Perception +3, Thieves’ Tools

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Languages: Common, Elvish, Dwarvish

[Mindsiege]

Just a normal day, really... Together the group of adventurers assumed their vigil of following Almavalesh and his wife through the streets. Earlamar had quickly swiped a few of Mayuri's seeds before rejoining with the rest of the small party, but even when he inquired with Baka it turned out that neither of them was versed enough in botanical matters to have a clue whether the seeds could grow into any plants with medicinal effects. After Aurora tried to tell the others a few more confusing statements about better not trying to dream things into existence, the adventurer's matters at the Avalldasz Estate seemed to have concluded and without much planning, the dream tourists naturally assumed their own methods of following alongside the memories of their employer. And as had been the first impression, even one more block further into Westhaven's streets the area didn't seem particularly adventurous even after following for a while already. By Derek's orders Nephala had taken to the sky just as Starlight had done before her, and together the two spiritual birds circled above the streets and enjoyed the late morning air as Westhaven's citizens kept rigorously to their business below them. While Derek, Aurora, Geghard and Oguun chose to stay close to the couple with Baka trailing a bit further behind, Earlamar moved a bit apart from them and expertly blended in with the other passersby that he could find in the streets. Very quickly he noticed that his subterfuge was especially effective when it became apparent that just as before none of the memories took any notice of him. Rolen on the other hand had chosen to precede the group by moving ahead and although the market was still a few minutes of walking ahead, he could use his advance to verify any suspicious people out in the streets. He hadn't managed to break too far ahead when he came upon a lone rider that underneath a dark cowl appeared to be of noble birth, but when Rolen took a step closer to the trodding horse and looked into the rider's hood, he was relieved to find a depressed-looking human that had his eyes downcast and mostly left it to his mount to steer him through the morning traffic. It didn't seem like he was looking out for Almavalesh or his wife at all, who still were a good few yards ahead of his path. Similar results appeared to the other adventurers who had stayed behind and in the close vicinity of Almavalesh. No groups or individuals seemed to take any particular interest in the debonaire mage and his wife, though as eye-catching as they were it couldn't be helped that there were quite a few citizens that looked up in wonderment at the quite unordinary couple. But seeing as Westhaven's populace on its whole was made up of quite a few noteworthy individuals, it appeared to the adventurers that to all the people they met, Almavalesh and Mayuri weren't more than a passing curiosity. The mage and his wife for the most part kept a comfortable quiet between the two of them, and for those that had seen other married couples walking the streets before it was as if they had done it often enough to simply enjoy such moments together. It was at that time that Aurora decided that all of this scenery was in its normalcy quite a bit boring. She fell slightly out of step with Oguun who before had been keeping close, both to remain within stable distance of the dream's focus and to have the other adventurers who could explain to him if this world had any right to be as it were. Just as he had asked the young necromancer and the eternal bride to point out anything interesting, Aurora approached a young peasant woman that was walking nearby and by the gifts that she had received, she lit a flame between her fingers. The other adventurers merely watched in surprise as she held her fire to the unsuspecting woman for multiple seconds before her clothing finally set ablaze. She hadn't flinched away from the flame even once during the administrations, and as the fire sparked and flickered from her clothes, it jumped over to the basket of dried branches that she had been carrying and within seconds the peasant turned into a walking pyre. There were no screams of pain or even admittance to having been set on fire, yet Aurora had to recoil slightly from the heat that she clearly felt would hurt her if she would touch the flames herself. All of the adventurers even Rolen further ahead were witness to how the entire street ignored the absurd spectacle. The eternal bride who stood the closest to the burning woman could see clearly where the clothes turned to ash and in glimmering soot, it was raining off of her body as she kept casually stepping down the streets as if everything was as it should be. And as Aurora looked more closely, she could see that the flames indeed did affect the peasant after all. Her hair was slowly being reduced to charcoal and underneath the blaze, the woman seemed to sweat terribly. Still, stoically the woman kept walking beside Auror as the bride had to protect her own wedding dress from any glowering sparks, even when the peasant's skin finally started to break in places. And that's when Aurora saw the same thing that had happened in the other instances where the adventurer's actions had started to defy the course of how the memories were supposed to happen. The peasant woman's skin cracked and blistered underneath the fire, but just as it did, her body seemed to fray at the seams and the wounds turned into clouds of dust as they seemed to peel off of the woman's body and joined together with the embers from the fire into a phantasmal display of a cometary tail leading behind the peasant. It was absolutely beautiful if it hadn't been somewhat horrifying at the same time because this was definitely a woman burning alive in front of everybody's eyes, only that the damage that would prevent her from her walk through town seemed to be refused from the reality that was being remembered. But as the party of adventurers was aghast or at least in awe of what Aurora had just done on a whim, the other citizens of Westhaven that had been about the street were not even looking into the pyre's direction and simply keeping about their business. Both Earlamar under the disguise of Grimly Packer and Baka had nothing else to react to than voicing their concern at what they had just witnessed and what consequences could have had, and Rolen further ahead of the group had not seen the spectacle from up close, but he as well was certain nobody around him was reacting as the dark rider kept letting his horse trod forward at the same pace, his head hanging low. But for the adventurers at least, for a moment their focus was at the burning woman that was evenly walking next to Aurora who had fallen only a few steps behind Derek. Starlight who had kept gliding above the street turned to descend as if the group's dream guide was coming towards them in an attempt to question what was happening, and although it wasn't apparent whether Aurora's would have far-reaching effects, at least it might turn into a matter of debate. And just then, finally something suspicious happened. Most of the adventurers had at least once turned and looked whether Aurora's inferno had attracted attention from Almavalesh and his wife as they meandered down their path. And just like the other memories, the couple had seemed blissfully unaware of what had started as simple mischief. It seemed like the dreamscape was working on a set of rules that the adventurers finally started to comprehend, when such an expectation was suddenly neutralized as only Oguun paid attention at the right moment to see something that stood out as wrong even to githzerai who was lost in the prime material plane. The sequence didn't even take a whole second which was why none of the other adventurers even noticed, but to Oguun's very own eyes he saw as whisp, almost like a thin tongue of shadow flicked out of the side of Mayuri's mouth just when she had looked at her husband with a kind smile. With all the odd things happening around Oguun he had to wonder if had been real, but yes, he had seen it clearly. Did human females have tongues of shadow inside their mouths as some kind of magical organ?

 

GM instructions I'm happy to announce that finally, things are afoot! Aurora turned the boring dream into a fine spectacle, probably further than she had expected, and it was a bit of a distraction so only Oguun was in the right conditions to notice what he did. Of course he is free to tell anybody as he pleases while Starlight is flying into close distance to talk with the group. Only Rolen is a bit too far to join the conversation easily. Also, while I didn't ask for it explicitly, through the narration I have a clear vision of your marching order in mind. If there is anything you'd like to correct about my understanding of the situation, feel free to point it out inside your next post. Rolls: - Initiative Character AC HP Status Action Position Character AC HP PP PI Movement Conditions Resources Derek Draven 12 6/6 17 20 30' Inspiration Arcane Recovery 1/1; Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Earlamar Xyr 15 7/7 12 10 30' Inspiration Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Oguun 18/16 9/9 14 13 30' Inspiration Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Rolen Galanodel 16/13 8/8 11 16 30' Active Mage Armor, Inspiration Arcane Recovery 1/1; Spells I. 1/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Baka 19/17 11/11 13 11 30' Inspiration Spells I. 2/2; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Geghard Van 19/17 12/12 13 11 30' Inspiration Second Wind 1/1; Goodberries 1/1; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Aurora Turpis 17/16 11/11 15 11 30' Inspiration Spells I. 1/2; Goodberries 4/4; Short rests 2/2; HD 1/1 Nephala 12 1/1 13 6 10' / 50' (fly) - -

[BarrowB]

Aurora Seeing the whole burning happening just next to her, Aurora was a bit worried but soon her face lit up with glee. She pointed her finger at the ablaze woman and looked to the rest of the group with her I assume that there is no shadow tonguemouth wide open and eyes of an innocent, childish joy. "Did you see that?! That was so magnificent!" She yelled in excitement. "Is any of you a painter? I need to have this on my wall!" Her expression didn't change at all, as she unsheathed her other blade. "I wonder how other ways of death will look!" She approached an another citizen, bouncing up and down with every step and begun eyeing their wrists with a clear intent, before her face dropped back to seriousness. "Wait... I could still feel the harmful heat of that flame... Does it mean that the dream can hurt us, but we can do nothing to fight back?" Aurora's eyes were wide open, as she was Perception 17looking around herself for any signs of potential danger. "Sooo... don't get hit by a speeding wagon and don't try to get in the way of people with drawn weapons." The woman returned to following of the pair but now she was putting most of her attention to being aware of her closest surroundings.

OOC Perception 17 Initiative Character AC HP Status Actions Position - Aurora Turpis 17/16 11/11 Weapons out - ~10ft from The non-bird oneAlmavalesh

[Corwin]

Oguun One of the many material customs that struck Oguun as unwise was the very free use of fire. It was uncommon at best in the Citadel as fuel was rarely available, and even if it had been, there was really no way to vent smoke from within the shields. But the Citadel was at least built of stone, whereas material folk had a custom of constructing their homes out of flammables and furnishing them with tinder. Oguun had begun to form a theory that it was a very extravagant method of displaying contempt for unneeded possessions, which were undoubtedly a distraction from the study of the Way, while keeping the need for eternal vigilance ever present in mind as the Seventh Circle advised. Oguun was also beginning to form a notion that neither of those considerations had ever actually occurred to anyone in Westhaven and they just lived in an unlit bonfire full of sparks as if that was somehow a sane thing to do. Either way, setting Almavalesh's memory palace on fire seemed counter to the mission at hand and Aurora had just proved that it was in some sense flammable. The hulking cleric briefly loomed behind the woman in white and stooped to hiss in her ear. "Most aesthetic. Can you as easily extinguish what you have set alight?" Oguun returned his attention to the mission, shadowing dream-Almavalesh and memory-Mayuri closely, watching the two intently, edging slightly to one side in case Aurora decided to ignite them for reasons of her own. Vigilance was rewarded as something flickered from the side of Mayuri's mouth for the barest fraction of a second, almost too swiftly to be sure it had been seen at all, but a life in Limbo had given Oguun a very fine sense of what was real and what was not. He'd also shared a few meals at the On Your Shield with material denizens, and was reasonably sure their tongues were pinkish. "Derek Draven, did you see that? Watch the Mayuri being's mouth." He turned to the others trailing the couple. "The mate is compromised. Monitor its behavior." He continued to hover behind the pair, Arcana - 19racking his brain for any understanding of what he'd just seen.

 

Rolls and Actions Rolls: Arcana - 19 Action Summary Move: continue shadowing memory-Almavalesh and memory-Mayuri Action: Arcana - 19 for any knowledge about the shadow tongue Reaction: Bonus Action: Object Interaction: Free Action: Concentration: Active Spells:

 

Stats Oguun character sheet Githzerai | Life Cleric of Zerthimon | Sage (Wizard's Apprentice) | Feats: none Githzerai Psionics | Mental Discipline | Disciple of Life HP: 9/9 | Armor Class: 16(18) | Stats/Saves: Str 13/+1; Dex 5/-3; Con 12/+1; Int 16/+3; Wis 18/+4; Cha 10/0 Senses: Passive Perception 14, Passive Investigation 13 Move: 30' | Conditions: none Languages: Common, Gith, Deep Speech, Undercommon Tool Proficiencies: none Attack Bonuses: Melee +3 | Ranged -1 | Magic +6 Spell Save DC: 14 Ranged weapon: javelin - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 piercing, range 30/120 Melee: mace - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 bludgeoning, range 5 Spells: Cantrips: 4 - Light, Mage Hand(invisible), Resistance, Toll the Dead Prepared Spells: 6 - Bane (1), Command (1), Guiding Bolt (1), Healing Word (1), Sanctuary (1), Shield of Faith (1) Domain Spells: 2 - Bless (1), Cure Wounds (1) Spell Slots: lv 1 - 2/2

[Togot]

Derek Draven I was utterly horrified by Aurora’s actions, not to mention her glee at seeing a woman engulfed in flames. The sight caused me to have a flash back of when my village was destroyed. I was grateful the woman wasn’t screaming, or I might have collapsed into a full-blown panic attack. Why did everyone think necromancers were evil when druids committed such horrific acts so casually? Then she drew a weapon and started looking for her next victim. I looked at the others to gauge their reactions to this disturbing behavior. Were they really still comfortable working with this woman? I certainly wasn’t. it was too late to go back now, but I would not be turning my back on her again, nor did I want to sleep with her near me. When Oguun mentioned that I had missed something, I was further annoyed with the insane woman as her antics were not only psychotic and dangerous, but they were distracting us from our mission. I watched the woman closely for any sign of suspicious behavior. "What did you see?" Actions Dice perception: d20+2 (1)+2 Total = 3 Dice investigation: d20+5 (16)+5 Total = 21

Stat Block AC:12 HP:6/6 STR:7 DEX:14 CON:11 INT:16 WILL:14 CHA:16 Passive Perception:17 Spells Prepared/Spell Slots:1st 2/2, mage armor, charm person, false life, magic missile Character Sheet

[Corwin]

Oguun "Something that appeared odd to me, Derek Draven, something difficult to describe. The Mayuri-being turned to the dream-mage, much as they did in their dwelling. When she turned, a wisp of shadow flickered from her mouth. Like so." The disciple of life crouched, took two long steps forward into the space occupied by memory-Mayuri, and turned to the dream-mage. He maintained the woman's pose if not her expression of affection and licked out toward dream-Almavalesh's face with a long yellow forked tongue. "That, but airy shadow instead of a proper tongue."

OOC Oguun does not understand personal space.

 

Rolls and Actions Rolls: Arcana - 19 Action Summary Move: continue shadowing memory-Almavalesh and memory-Mayuri Action: Arcana - 19 for any knowledge about the shadow tongue Reaction: Bonus Action: Object Interaction: Free Action: Concentration: Active Spells:

 

Stats Oguun character sheet Githzerai | Life Cleric of Zerthimon | Sage (Wizard's Apprentice) | Feats: none Githzerai Psionics | Mental Discipline | Disciple of Life HP: 9/9 | Armor Class: 16(18) | Stats/Saves: Str 13/+1; Dex 5/-3; Con 12/+1; Int 16/+3; Wis 18/+4; Cha 10/0 Senses: Passive Perception 14, Passive Investigation 13 Move: 30' | Conditions: none Languages: Common, Gith, Deep Speech, Undercommon Tool Proficiencies: none Attack Bonuses: Melee +3 | Ranged -1 | Magic +6 Spell Save DC: 14 Ranged weapon: javelin - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 piercing, range 30/120 Melee: mace - +3 to hit, 1d6+1 bludgeoning, range 5 Spells: Cantrips: 4 - Light, Mage Hand(invisible), Resistance, Toll the Dead Prepared Spells: 6 - Bane (1), Command (1), Guiding Bolt (1), Healing Word (1), Sanctuary (1), Shield of Faith (1) Domain Spells: 2 - Bless (1), Cure Wounds (1) Spell Slots: lv 1 - 2/2

[CoffeeRogue]

Curious Earlamar expected that Aurora would at least consider what he had said before. What happened next caught him, once again, completely off-guard. The little ember turned to a bright blaze of yellow. A horrifying sight of a woman burning alive. Having come from a decent household, he couldn't have imagined such horror. The skin burning, sizzling as it did and the woman completely impervious to it. Her stoic expressions only added to the horror for Earlamar. Dazed, frightened, and enraged, Earlamar felt nauseated. It wasn't just the state of this woman that troubled him but also the consequences of Aurora's actions. She wasn't alone in here and what happened could endanger Earlamar's mental state as well. Survival instincts were kicking in. Still hidden amongst the crowd, he untied his bow and considered it. He contemplated shooting Aurora in the back. For several moments, he strongly believed that if he didn't do it, it could endanger his mental well being. And he wasn't going to let that happen. It was then when he heard Oguun turn to Derek and mention something about the "mate being compromised". Quickly, he snapped out of his rage for Aurora and turned towards the two. Now, he stepped out into the open and walked towards them to see Oguun reenact what he had seen. "Could it be the seeds?", he immediately put his bow on his back again and took out the seeds from his pocket. "Before we left, she was planting this. I asked Baka but he doesn't know. Do you know what this plant is? Can it have anything to do with what you saw Oguun?" he says holding the seeds in the palm of his hand and stretching it towards Oguun and Derek. Suddenly, as if realising something, he gestures Oguun to take the seeds before turning to Aurora. Now, with a calmer expression on his face, "Seize whatever it is you're trying to do here. I don't understand much but I know what you're risking is not just your well being but ours too". She had ignored him once. He wasn't going to let it happen again. "I suppose I'll have to tell you now and explain later", he says as he walks up to her. Closer still so that she can hear him whisper: "It's funny how you didn't notice. It's me Aurora, he pauses and gets even closer, his face now right next to her ear, "..it's Godbert", with a sly grin he Deception: dirty 20attempts to do what he knows best, he lies.

OOC Used inspiration to re-roll deception check roll. Had to do it.

 

Stat Block STR 14 DEX 18 CON 9 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 18

Action Block Free Action: Roll(s): Deception: 20 (dirty) Action: Move: Bonus Action: Reaction: Condition:

[secretID]

OOC Geghard, 19 AC and 12 hp, will default to taking the party van, as his last name might suggest.

Geghard Van, Human Fighter Sheet | AC: 19 | HP: 12/12 | Status: Normal Second Wind 1/1 | Polearm Master | Dueling Style Geghard initially winced at the sight of the immolated woman, but he quickly collected himself when she entirely failed to react to the fire consuming her. Geghard consciously pulled himself out of his horror, into a comfortable head space for observation. He had seen illusions before. He had learned how to detach himself from his gut response to the visual stimulus, to look at the underlying artifice, as if focusing on the brushstrokes of a painting rather than its subject. But he also noticed Aurora flinch from the heat of the fire. Apparently it could harm her - and all the party, by extension - unless she had just responded instinctively. Safer to assume that the fire was in fact hot...and that it could therefore set the rest of the memory aflame as well. In fact, to Geghard's eye the fire threatened to do so imminently. 19 InvestigationThe memory also seemed to have some kind of self-correcting feature, but again: safer to assume the worst, especially when death by fire was at stake. Having concluded these considerations in the few seconds after the drama began, Geghard moved decisively but smoothly toward the burning woman, grabbing a few pieces of wet laundry off a line as he did. When he arrived at her side, he roughly wrapped the wet clothes around her, beating the fire out as he did. Satisfied, he moved back to the main part of the group. What was that Gith saying about Mayuri...and her tongue?

 

Applicable Spell/skills/statuses:
Initiative
Movement:
Free action:
Action:
Bonus action: None
Reaction:
Abilities: Polearm Master, Dueling
Resources: Second Wind 1/1
Dice rolls:

 

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PP: 13 | Speed: 30ft

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Abilities: Str 16 (+3), Dex 15 (+2), Con 14 (+2), Int 12 (+1), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 12 (+1)

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Saves: STR +5, CON +4

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Skills: Arcana +3, Athletics +5, History +3, Insight +3, Investigation +3, Thieves’ Tools

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Languages: Common, Elvish, Dwarvish