Sunday, August 31, 2025
A SHORTER SUMMARY IS POSTED BELOW.
Characters present: Blaylocke, Enkili, Grynn, Leiya
Jolrael’s player was not here today.
Enkili’s player is on a new computer/dealing with computer issues and lost-file issues, so will not be posting weekly game recaps for a bit. Leiya’s player will post recaps from her own notes for the time being.
Next week:
Blaylocke’s player will be at Comic-Con and not at game (but still reachable by phone/text).
Grynn’s player will be away and not at game.
Entries from The Autobiography of Leiya Tevorova*
May the Blessed Mother of Mercy, source of the Divine Light, guide and protect us in these dark times. Have mercy upon us, and upon the whole world.
It is in the month of Iyoltan, and we rest currently – and sometimes uneasily – in the city of Solaré, at the The King’s Vine inn. Accommodations are all that we could wish and no one has accosted us, but these are troubled times, and we seek answers to many questions.
The special council session is underway – that council that shall pronounce the fate of arcane magic-wielders. The public is neither invited nor allowed there. Grynn, indeed, did attempt to attend, but was turned aside from the door. The Lady Adilene, mighty Paladin of Our Lady, is sequestered away as she awaits the council; and spells of Sending do not reach her. We await the results of this council with apprehension.
The Milostan temple here in Solaré is doing what they can to aid and comfort the arcane magic users, at least those who strive in the path of goodness. They believe that this dark time is but temporary, and that any current or forthcoming proscriptions against the arcane magic will soon be lifted. Mother of Hope, may it be so, and watch over us.
I paid a call to the Lord Cromleigh’s residence; however, he has not yet returned from his travels. The steward of the house explained that the Lord is suffering an illness – not a mortal one, but one that inhibits his travel. Later that day, back at the inn, I gave a Sending to his daughter. She confirmed that the Lord suffers from gout, and is being cared for and treated (albeit not with magic). I made a note to add Lord Cromleigh to my Prayers for the Sick.
Other scraps of news washed up on our minds’ shores over the days:
• The creatures known as “tieflings” are scarce, especially in these times of angst against the arcane.
• The “Warforged” creatures (creations?) are also not seen, believed to be gathered inside of the Wizards’ Peak.
• The Dragonborn people could face persecution as well, but they are said to be safe away in their strongholds at the foothills of the Stonehammer Mountains. Mother Most Faithful, watch over us all.
While I was lost awhile in contemplation of the blueness of the sky, it occurred to me that the blue is like and yet unlike the brilliant sapphire stone set into the gold ring that Enkili bears. This ring contained the entrapped djinni creature named Riah. Enkili, moved to compassion by the whispers of Milosta the Merciful, freed her, so the ring now holds no magic, only the gold of the sun and the blue of the sky. And, I suppose, its monetary value.
Solaré of course is a large city, full of libraries, bardic colleges, and similar places of learning. We despatched ourselves to these various locations to learn more about the strange and terrible place known as The Vast – Blaylocke to his gathering of the bards for their lore, and Grynn, Enkili, and I to the library.
We spent both time and money in these endeavours, perhaps 600 gold coins total. Through the grace of Milosta, the Mother of Good Counsel, the lore and the libraries revealed some knowledge to us.
Q: Resistances?
A: There are no protections against its inherent nature, but it does not require resistances and does not do ongoing HP or ability damage. Of note is the risk of exhaustion due to its challenges and environs. Decay and erosion are accelerated here; even the soul and mind is not safe.
Q: Exits/how to leave?
A: from the Tale of Esperu - One must find the entrance to The Deep. The Deep is the final stretch of The Vast. It is a dangerous series of trials, set in a place where reality breaks down and a monstrous entity shadows every step of the journey. Travelers must come prepared and be willing to make sacrifices.
Q: Entrance?
A: There are numerous ways one may find themselves in the Vast. Cross-referencing Jolrael's tattoo with information in the library, we determine that we may be able to enter The Vast through a portal found in the Temple of Tarthil. (That terrible city from which we escaped due only to Our Mother’s own mercy.)
Q: Preparations/sacrifices?
A: There is a reference to sacrifice with the Trials of the Deep, but nothing to its nature. The trials are: Scale, Repetition, Change, Emptiness, Sacrifice, and Lies. None are described or explained.
Additional lore (Library): When one enters The Vast, all items foreign to it quickly deteriorate or are left behind. There is a rite that can be performed that may allow one to take one (1) object with them that will endure the ravages of The Vast.
Additional notes and lore: The journey through The Vast is via soul/mind, not only body (exactly). We can take 1 object (via that Rite) that won't deteriorate.
There seem to be settlements and residents in the Vast:
"... and Jurth went to the settlement and purchased a knife from the bazaar. It was a decent deal costing only a few coins and a chip of lodestone ... "
There seem to be spells and magic in the Vast:
"Akhal cast forth a flaming sphere upon the abomination, wreaking destruction upon it."
Magic works in The Vast, although there are some restrictions and limitations. Required material components and foci must be available; dimensional, summoning, and transport spells do not work. Divine magic will still work, though link between caster and deity is a bit weaker (thus, summoning won't work, for example).
A curious side note: The Vast is not only a place, but a sentience/has a form of sentience, of its own.
Q: Is The Vast comparable to the astral plane?
A: No, not really.
Q: Has anyone come back from The Vast?
A: Apparently yes, since there are these references in lore and books and such.
Armed – or burdened – with this knowledge, we discussed awhile our next steps, and what we could or should do.
Jolrael had, or has had, several goals, some of which include needing access to the Peak:
• Jolrael to advance/higher Circle
• Obtaining elements or help in acquiring or constructing an amulet of non-detection (to ward against scrying)
• Whispers of the Pale Lady book
Other ideas and goals include:
• Disrupt/defeat the Chained Wings
• Rescue Miria (Mother of All Graces, forgive me for not having done so yet)
• Eye of Liral (the lost temple of Eyah, which may contain the Eye of Liral that grants True Sight)
• Explore the ruins of Dharsta (a magical crystal for ciphering or scrying may be there)
• Drive out the hags from the Darkwater Lighthouse (note we are under a Geas that prevents this)
• Lord Burcel of Freehold – wants us to defeat the Chained Wings stronghold at Nemsh
• Chained Wings documents - we need help decoding these as some are magically encrypted. We could seek out the sage named Portent for this; he resides in Umbel. (The Eye of Liral and the Dharstan crystal will also help.)
Note: The Eye of Liral and the mysterious crystal in Dharsta both have the potential to help us decrypt the trove of slavers' documents in our possession.
Some of the party learn towards continuing our battle to break the Wings. It was discussed to:
• Head to Liral first, then to Dharsta if needed and then, at least, to Umbel if we still need Portent the Sage; or,
• Head to Umbel first to inquire of the Sage; then go to Liral and/or Dharsta
Enkili pointed out that, as the Sage, although a skilled cryptographer and lorekeeper, does not actually practice the arcane magics, so he might be unable to perform the work necessary to liberate our documents from their magical encryptions.
Jolrael was away on private business, so we are uncertain yet about his motives and plans.
O Divine Font of Wisdom, help us to make the best and wisest decisions, that we may be vessels of your mercy to those who are most in need of it.
* A “real” book from a real character in a real(ly excellent) novel. Leiya Tevorova is an NPC who lived many years (centuries, I think) prior to the events of the novel.
“...a deranged woman and moderately gifted writer. Her preposterous autobiography, used in schools for a century after her death, was denounced by the Priest of the Stone and banned in 934.”
(Samatar, Sofia. A Stranger in Olondria, Small Beer Press, 2013, p. 76.)
Sunday, August 31, 2025
SHORTER SUMMARY
Present: Blaylocke, Enkili, Grynn, Leiya
Jolrael's player was absent today.
Next week: Blaylocke's and Grynn's players will both be out.
-------
The party is still in Solaré, at The King's Vine inn.
The special council to decide the fates of arcane magic-users is gearing up. The public (including us) can't go. Enkili's prior Patroness, the Lady Adilene (paladin of Melwen) is sequestered away for the council and Sending does not reach her.
Lord Cromleigh is still in Dale. He's ill with gout and can't travel; he's resting and being treated.
Blaylocke inquires at Bardic College and Grynn et al. inquire at the Library. We get more answers to our questions about "The Vast":
We discussed possible options and what to do from here.
We lean towards continuing to take the fight to the Chained Wings, and are looking at methods of decrypting the stack of documents we reclaimed from them.
Further discussion on the forum and/or next week.
A SHORTER SUMMARY IS POSTED BELOW.
Characters present: Blaylocke, Enkili, Grynn, Leiya
Jolrael’s player was not here today.
Enkili’s player is on a new computer/dealing with computer issues and lost-file issues, so will not be posting weekly game recaps for a bit. Leiya’s player will post recaps from her own notes for the time being.
Next week:
Blaylocke’s player will be at Comic-Con and not at game (but still reachable by phone/text).
Grynn’s player will be away and not at game.
Entries from The Autobiography of Leiya Tevorova*
May the Blessed Mother of Mercy, source of the Divine Light, guide and protect us in these dark times. Have mercy upon us, and upon the whole world.
It is in the month of Iyoltan, and we rest currently – and sometimes uneasily – in the city of Solaré, at the The King’s Vine inn. Accommodations are all that we could wish and no one has accosted us, but these are troubled times, and we seek answers to many questions.
The special council session is underway – that council that shall pronounce the fate of arcane magic-wielders. The public is neither invited nor allowed there. Grynn, indeed, did attempt to attend, but was turned aside from the door. The Lady Adilene, mighty Paladin of Our Lady, is sequestered away as she awaits the council; and spells of Sending do not reach her. We await the results of this council with apprehension.
The Milostan temple here in Solaré is doing what they can to aid and comfort the arcane magic users, at least those who strive in the path of goodness. They believe that this dark time is but temporary, and that any current or forthcoming proscriptions against the arcane magic will soon be lifted. Mother of Hope, may it be so, and watch over us.
I paid a call to the Lord Cromleigh’s residence; however, he has not yet returned from his travels. The steward of the house explained that the Lord is suffering an illness – not a mortal one, but one that inhibits his travel. Later that day, back at the inn, I gave a Sending to his daughter. She confirmed that the Lord suffers from gout, and is being cared for and treated (albeit not with magic). I made a note to add Lord Cromleigh to my Prayers for the Sick.
Other scraps of news washed up on our minds’ shores over the days:
• The creatures known as “tieflings” are scarce, especially in these times of angst against the arcane.
• The “Warforged” creatures (creations?) are also not seen, believed to be gathered inside of the Wizards’ Peak.
• The Dragonborn people could face persecution as well, but they are said to be safe away in their strongholds at the foothills of the Stonehammer Mountains. Mother Most Faithful, watch over us all.
While I was lost awhile in contemplation of the blueness of the sky, it occurred to me that the blue is like and yet unlike the brilliant sapphire stone set into the gold ring that Enkili bears. This ring contained the entrapped djinni creature named Riah. Enkili, moved to compassion by the whispers of Milosta the Merciful, freed her, so the ring now holds no magic, only the gold of the sun and the blue of the sky. And, I suppose, its monetary value.
Solaré of course is a large city, full of libraries, bardic colleges, and similar places of learning. We despatched ourselves to these various locations to learn more about the strange and terrible place known as The Vast – Blaylocke to his gathering of the bards for their lore, and Grynn, Enkili, and I to the library.
We spent both time and money in these endeavours, perhaps 600 gold coins total. Through the grace of Milosta, the Mother of Good Counsel, the lore and the libraries revealed some knowledge to us.
Q: Resistances?
A: There are no protections against its inherent nature, but it does not require resistances and does not do ongoing HP or ability damage. Of note is the risk of exhaustion due to its challenges and environs. Decay and erosion are accelerated here; even the soul and mind is not safe.
Q: Exits/how to leave?
A: from the Tale of Esperu - One must find the entrance to The Deep. The Deep is the final stretch of The Vast. It is a dangerous series of trials, set in a place where reality breaks down and a monstrous entity shadows every step of the journey. Travelers must come prepared and be willing to make sacrifices.
Q: Entrance?
A: There are numerous ways one may find themselves in the Vast. Cross-referencing Jolrael's tattoo with information in the library, we determine that we may be able to enter The Vast through a portal found in the Temple of Tarthil. (That terrible city from which we escaped due only to Our Mother’s own mercy.)
Q: Preparations/sacrifices?
A: There is a reference to sacrifice with the Trials of the Deep, but nothing to its nature. The trials are: Scale, Repetition, Change, Emptiness, Sacrifice, and Lies. None are described or explained.
Additional lore (Library): When one enters The Vast, all items foreign to it quickly deteriorate or are left behind. There is a rite that can be performed that may allow one to take one (1) object with them that will endure the ravages of The Vast.
Additional notes and lore: The journey through The Vast is via soul/mind, not only body (exactly). We can take 1 object (via that Rite) that won't deteriorate.
There seem to be settlements and residents in the Vast:
"... and Jurth went to the settlement and purchased a knife from the bazaar. It was a decent deal costing only a few coins and a chip of lodestone ... "
There seem to be spells and magic in the Vast:
"Akhal cast forth a flaming sphere upon the abomination, wreaking destruction upon it."
Magic works in The Vast, although there are some restrictions and limitations. Required material components and foci must be available; dimensional, summoning, and transport spells do not work. Divine magic will still work, though link between caster and deity is a bit weaker (thus, summoning won't work, for example).
A curious side note: The Vast is not only a place, but a sentience/has a form of sentience, of its own.
Q: Is The Vast comparable to the astral plane?
A: No, not really.
Q: Has anyone come back from The Vast?
A: Apparently yes, since there are these references in lore and books and such.
Armed – or burdened – with this knowledge, we discussed awhile our next steps, and what we could or should do.
Jolrael had, or has had, several goals, some of which include needing access to the Peak:
• Jolrael to advance/higher Circle
• Obtaining elements or help in acquiring or constructing an amulet of non-detection (to ward against scrying)
• Whispers of the Pale Lady book
Other ideas and goals include:
• Disrupt/defeat the Chained Wings
• Rescue Miria (Mother of All Graces, forgive me for not having done so yet)
• Eye of Liral (the lost temple of Eyah, which may contain the Eye of Liral that grants True Sight)
• Explore the ruins of Dharsta (a magical crystal for ciphering or scrying may be there)
• Drive out the hags from the Darkwater Lighthouse (note we are under a Geas that prevents this)
• Lord Burcel of Freehold – wants us to defeat the Chained Wings stronghold at Nemsh
• Chained Wings documents - we need help decoding these as some are magically encrypted. We could seek out the sage named Portent for this; he resides in Umbel. (The Eye of Liral and the Dharstan crystal will also help.)
Note: The Eye of Liral and the mysterious crystal in Dharsta both have the potential to help us decrypt the trove of slavers' documents in our possession.
Some of the party learn towards continuing our battle to break the Wings. It was discussed to:
• Head to Liral first, then to Dharsta if needed and then, at least, to Umbel if we still need Portent the Sage; or,
• Head to Umbel first to inquire of the Sage; then go to Liral and/or Dharsta
Enkili pointed out that, as the Sage, although a skilled cryptographer and lorekeeper, does not actually practice the arcane magics, so he might be unable to perform the work necessary to liberate our documents from their magical encryptions.
Jolrael was away on private business, so we are uncertain yet about his motives and plans.
O Divine Font of Wisdom, help us to make the best and wisest decisions, that we may be vessels of your mercy to those who are most in need of it.
* A “real” book from a real character in a real(ly excellent) novel. Leiya Tevorova is an NPC who lived many years (centuries, I think) prior to the events of the novel.
“...a deranged woman and moderately gifted writer. Her preposterous autobiography, used in schools for a century after her death, was denounced by the Priest of the Stone and banned in 934.”
(Samatar, Sofia. A Stranger in Olondria, Small Beer Press, 2013, p. 76.)
Sunday, August 31, 2025
SHORTER SUMMARY
Present: Blaylocke, Enkili, Grynn, Leiya
Jolrael's player was absent today.
Next week: Blaylocke's and Grynn's players will both be out.
-------
The party is still in Solaré, at The King's Vine inn.
The special council to decide the fates of arcane magic-users is gearing up. The public (including us) can't go. Enkili's prior Patroness, the Lady Adilene (paladin of Melwen) is sequestered away for the council and Sending does not reach her.
Lord Cromleigh is still in Dale. He's ill with gout and can't travel; he's resting and being treated.
Blaylocke inquires at Bardic College and Grynn et al. inquire at the Library. We get more answers to our questions about "The Vast":
- Magic works in general, but dimensional, summoning, and transport spells don't work.
- To traverse The Deep (a part of The Vast), there are trials: Scale, Repetition, Change, Emptiness, Sacrifice, and Lies. None are described or explained.
- One possible entry into The Vast is a portal in the temple at Tarthil.
- The Vast contains residents and settlements. Purchases of goods and services may be possible, though by what means/currency, we do not know.
We discussed possible options and what to do from here.
We lean towards continuing to take the fight to the Chained Wings, and are looking at methods of decrypting the stack of documents we reclaimed from them.
- Go to Temple of Eyah and retrieve the Eye of Liral for True Sight, then maybe to Dharsta and/or Umbel?
- Go to Umbel and see Portent the Sage, then go to Temple and/or Dharsta?
Further discussion on the forum and/or next week.