To the point of Exhaustion - Caress Melani - Session 17

Welcome Brawl at the Lodge 

There wasn't any time to take a break or recover from the conflict with the troll. No sooner did the four-armed killer's body flare up into flames after Lyra shoved them into the fireplace, than Mythram darted out to chase down the cultist that had fled the fight, taking him down with a single arrow. Unfortunately his cries had already alerted others and Caress could hear the shouts confronting Mythram.

"Invaders! For what reason do you intrude on these grounds! Surrender now or your suffering shall be a lesson for the children in future days."

The cry of pain that followed, in a different voice, told Caress what Mythram's response to that was. For her part, the yuan-ti tapped into the divine font through her connection to Sharess and felt some of her injuries knitting closed. She darted out into the courtyard and caught sight of a pair of kobolds with feather dusters staring down at her.

"I'd advise you to either surrender or flee," she called out in draconic, seeing one of the two drop to the ground in response.

"I could use a little help," Ravyn called from behind her and Caress darted back to the warlock's side to provide her the healing she could. 

Blasts, Heals, and Blades

 

Welcome Brawl at the Lodge - Caress Melani - Session 16

Worms and Ringers 

Castle Naerytar certainly looked like the sort of place that legend said you'd find a black dragon. There was a pervasive atmosphere of decay and a corrosive taste to the air that was beyond unpleasant. The Order of the Gauntlet guards within were more than happy to direct the group on toward the portal that the cultist leader had fled through. They all geared up to get ready for the trip, worried that the other side would be held against them by prepared cultists and perhaps another dragon.

Instead on sending Ijit through to investigate Ravyn reported that it seemed to be an unguarded exit and that there was nothing in the area aside from a nearby hunting lodge which currently seemed to be empty. Cautiously they moved through the portal.

"It's a little bit cold."

Caress nodded in agreement and shivered, wishing her tattoos helped guard her against the elements as well as it held off the bite of blades and fangs. Moving closer to the reported hunting lodge, they came to find it, standing tall with at least four levels of windows visible on the face. There was a great foundation of stone below a framework of wooden walls and high-arched roof with embedded windows. At first they could find nothing of interest, no activity even, but then they came to find the sign of trolls in the back rigging up a number of human-sized lizards for use as hunting animals.

Looking back, they saw the rolling mist circulating about the portal and then glanced ahead towards the hunting lodge. Advancing carefully, Mythram walked up to the door and knocked upon it. A moment later, the door was opened to reveal a white kobold sticking its snout out into entrance. 

"What does it want?"

A second kobold stepped forward to the first and performed a gesture towards the party.

"No, they make the gesture, not us. What does it want?"

Ravyn, recognizing the gesture for what it was, a praise of Tiamat, takes the opportunity to step forward.

Sneaky Mythram, Tricksy Ravyn

The Second Rounds - From Bazzozan to the Rise - Sessions 7-9

(Going to summarize because I've missed several sessions on this and if I don't do this it'll be harder to do detailed narrative journals as I move on)

After the battle with the gibbering mouthers, the Second Rounds moved around the town looking into things. At the edge of the town crematorium Esoh traded a schematic for a radiant bonfire creator in exchange for reputation and help as well as some bullets for Snype.

Elara had a discussion with one of the local priests at the infirmary, a nice lady, but a little bit on the thirsty side. 

Worms and Ringers - Caress Melani - Session 15

Shields, Scales, Shadows, and Shit 

The hull of the Grand Shanty was a bit too thoroughly infested for them to easily handle. Not in the sense that it would be difficult to kill the hull worms that had infested that part of the ship so much as it was that if they did kill the worms, then the ship would probably sink. They had replaced far too much of the structure of the ship. Though perhaps this needed explanation so rewinding a bit.

Talk on the Grand Shanty

When they had been swept up by the parade of ghosts, they found themselves escorted into the heart of a sailing ship that had been converted into a tavern and inn. And the entertainments were quite top notch. The food and company were high quality indeed with a lovely man behind the bar by the name of Sharkbite Sam who had a lot of advice to give about what to order.

Shields, Scales, Shadows, and Shit - Caress Melani Journal - Session 16

 Much Sadness About Larry

(Hero Forge coming later... NaNoWriMo is a thing) 

Caress looks over the shield carefully and then back towards Lyra. "This shield allows me to do, what?" 

"It lets you transfer some of the pain of a blow to one of your allies."

The idea seems counter-intuitive and it was likely that the blank expression on her face betrayed that thought somewhat as the eladrin leaned forward to explain the matter a bit more clearly.

"A lot of us are in the backfields, out of the line of battle, and, not to put her under the the catapult," she glanced toward the warlock who shrugged and then let her continue. "But Ravyn is probably hardier than you are."

Much Sadness about Larry - Caress Melani Journal - Session 15

Squashing a Spider

 "Five hundred coins to clean the latrines?" 

Their party member seemed a bit incredulous at Ravyn's news though Caress nodded.

"They are quite... advanced in their..." her nose crinkled in visible distaste, "...state of decay."

"Larry seemed resigned to the news himself," Ravyn commented. "Which matches with what we've seen so far. Things unrepairing themselves. The disease and poison that Caress sensed in the kitchen..."

"Disease and poison which you said did not touch any of the food," Mythram noted directing her attention to Caress.

"Correct," she confirmed. "Nor was he willing to leave the tavern for sort of break or companionship. He spoke of a time when his son was cooking for them."

"I found some more about that," the rogue noted. "Larry's sons left the tavern and encountered... "

'Bad luck?" 

"Not so much bad luck as it was that they were no longer blessed. If you've lived your entire life with divine fortune then normal luck feels bad to you. Something protects this place, there's marks here warning thieves away."

"I have to admit that I didn't think to ask about the tavern during my visit to the local chapter of the Order of the Gauntlet.

"How did that go by the way?"

Meeting at Sad Larry's

 

Squashing a Spider - Caress Melani Journal - Session 14

Plans Ghoulish and Guarded

Ravyn and Caress sat and caught their breaths, attending to their injuries as Mythram and Lyra scoured the cavern for any sign of interesting things. Somewhere in the darkness of a passageway, another doppleganger passing as drow lay in a mindless heap, body catching up to brain in the race toward death after the sorcerer had ripped their mind to pieces. Bugbear corpses lay about the scene of the fight. destroyed by forces divine and eldritch.

"I think that this may be what they were looking for," Lyra suggested as she indicated a long dead dwarven corpse embedded mostly into the mud. "These gauntlets have a bit magic to them. I think they might make someone stronger."

"My first thought is to give that to Caress, but..." Mythram looked over to the yuan-ti.

"Sharess guides my arm, I'm not sure enhanced strength will do me much good."  

"Yeah that's what I thought," the rogue said. 

"Well, we'll set aside for a bit later," Lyra said. "And I guess the next question is to which direction we should turn to after this."

"It looks like this passage will give us another route past those doors from before," Mythram said, pointing past the doppleganger's corpse.

Rest and Reconnaissance

"The big ones set up to be very portentous and noisy when opening?" Ravyn asks.

Plans Ghoulish and Guarded - Caress Melani Journal - Session 13

Bounded Waves

"Ghouls, eating bones." Mythram said quietly as she closed the door again. 

"Those are dangerous undead as I recall," Caress noted.

"Cunning and vicious creatures that arose from a pact with Orcus. Their claws can cause bodies to freeze up and leave them vulnerable to being devoured," Ravyn said. "I've read a few books now and again and the subject has come up."

"Then we'll want to prepare before we move in," Lyra suggested.

"I have a charm I can cast upon myself to keep the claws of the dead and fiends at bay," Caress said. "I would have to cease my focus on the blessing of protection I gave Mythram." She gestured toward the slight silver shimmer around the rogue.

"It's probably a good idea, but there's a second exit and this one..." 

The rogue looked toward the door that lacked a lock and opened into the room.

"We're not going to be barricading it."

"Perhaps, we set up on this one and barricade the other, if you can get to it safely," Ravyn suggested.

"I should be able to do that," Mythram agreed.

The plan in place, Caress let the divine power flow into her whip and stood at the door ready to open it and Mythram stepped away. Ravyn moved to the intersection a moment later where she could keep watch on both groups. Then the sound of pitons hammering around the corner came clear. 

"Let evil wash away like a river carries away stagnation to the sea," she whispered and opened the door.

Almost instantly, a ghoul launched across the room and lashed out at her, struggling to fight through the dragon-blooded tattoo and the blessing of Sharess and failing miserably. But as she watched, Caress saw the other ghouls burst through the barricaded door out the other side of the room. 

It was a ghoul plan, and it went ghoulishly.

 

The Second Rounds - Fleshy Madness - Session Six

Journal Page 
The Arrival at Bazzoxan

The Second Round woke up after a night of rest and came down into the common room of the Ready Room, seeking out Delez Demona to ask the bartender where they might find the commander of the garrison. 

"Well, that would be Verin Thelyss, he's been here some years now," the bartender said.  "If you're looking for mercenary work, I can definitely tell you they'd be interested."

"All right," Elara asked. "Where can we find him."

Delez blinked and pointed out the door. "That'll be him right now. Oh no..."

The group turned around and looked to see a tall drow running alongside two guards, an orc and a goblin, heading for the gates of the Betrayer's Rise.

Bounded Waves - Caress Melani Journal - Session 12

The Cult and the Dragon

 

Caress looked over the flowing images of cats stalking and lazing along a river bed as they sat in the camp. The druid was leading them by twists and turns that maybe a ranger could follow, but which already had her turned around. She wondered if Lyra was having an easier time keeping track of things given she hailed from the Feywild, but had to admit that she'd only heard vague stories about that place, it might be perfectly signposted and easy to navigate.

She focused herself again on the images now embedded into her skin and wondered if the images had come from her or if they were something that Reidoth had built into the enchantment. Would the images be shadows for Mythram or the moonlight and rays for Lyra. And then there was the question of what it could possibly be for Ravyn. 

 

Tattoos with dragon blood and magic for ink.

 

The Second Round - Arrival at Bazzoxan - Sessions Four and Five

Journal Page  

South Through the Wastes 

(going to be skimpy because I was stupid and waited for too long and my brain leaked all the details)

The Second Round and Rivals of Destiny came into the Emerald Loop and had a moment of respite among the merchants that had stopped there for the evening. Tarre went about doing the mundane tasks of camping as Annalch puttered about with her alchemy set and tried to process the fact that her mothers were now dead. As for the heroes of the two adventuring parties, they gave the merchant some space and moved about on their own interactions.

Kanti Messner / Godfrey Mason / Lesley Tinker - Changeling Lore Bard / Celestial Warlock

15th Lore Bard / 5th Celestial Warlock, Changeling Far Traveler

Personas

• Kanti Messner - German female half-elf, usually fronts. Tends to be reserved and prone to expecting deception.
• Godfrey Mason - British male dwarf, tends to be a lot more aggressive
• Lesley Tinker - American non-binary shadar-kai, tends not to hang around for danger, does most of the crafting.
  

Patron: Book of Exalted Deeds

Str: 12
Dex: 16
Con: 12
Int: 17
Wis: 18
Cha: 22

HP: 140
AC: 16 (Glamoured Studded Leather Armor)
Spell Save: 20
Bardic Inspiration: 6d12
Speed: 30 ft (60ft Fly - Broom)

The Cult and the Dragon - Caress Melani Journal - Session 11

Rite to Blight 

 

"Follow me along carefully, and avoid those bushes there, they're full of twig blights," Reiodoth declared. "Beyond this next building are the cultists."

"All right," Mythram said. "I'll climb up on the the walls here and we can approach quietly.

Caress nodded and tried to slip quietly around one of the ruined corners, though the clanking sound of her armor's scales clacking against each other chimed loudly, through the abandoned village, causing several voices to call to each other in alarm and concern. Behind her Caress heard the exasperated sighs of her party as she took a deep breath and stepped forward trying to channel everything she could about the sinister reputation of yuan-ti in general.

"Hello, I suspect we might have aims that align with each other," she said, letting the magic slip off her forked tongue... and slid right off the mind of her target as he glanced down at the buckler she was trying to keep out of line of sight.

"What's that symbol on your shield?"

One DND - Playtest Materials - Character Origin

So, in attempt to explore what I think and feel about the recent reveal by Wizards of the Coast regarding new mechanics for choosing races, I'm working on this blog post.

Rite to Blight - Caress Melani Journal - Session 10

The Bandit King's Pets

"Caress Melani, I do hearby grant you the rank of Cheval, welcome to the Order of the Gauntlet," Daran Edermath declared with a concise set of gestures and the passing over of a small badge depicting the iconography of the Order with empty places that might later hold representations of increased rank. 

"I am glad that you changed your mind about my offer, I think you will do well in the order."

Caress smiled politely and nodded, brushing back a lock of hair in a good artifice of coquettish manner. "I wonder whether the rest of the Order will agree with your estimation, sir."

"And why did you accept the offer then?" the man asked giving her a knowing look.

"It occurred to me that if anyone might need a courtesan's grace, it is those who give so much of themselves, and hold so much tightly inside," she smirked in a mirror to his own expression. "Some might uncharitably suggest I see a... business opportunity."

The old half-elf blushed briefly, taken aback by the response, but chuckling in response. "Regardless, your heart is that of a defender, and that is the important thing. You will find a good place in with the order. Where do you plan on heading next?"

"Tonight I shall attend to my own duties," she said. "And on the morrow, we are making the trek to the ruins of Thundertree."

"I see, be careful on that, I've heard rumors that the land there is cursed."

"All the better reason to investigate, then." Caress responded.

The Bandit King's Pets - Caress Melani Journal - Session 9

Moonlit Laughter

Some builds borrowed from the Hero Forge community library with minor alterations: Goblins, Hobgoblin, King Grol, wolf, various paladins, and doppleganger. 

Targor proved slippery than expected, or at least Caress proved to be a poorer guard than expected, as the hobgoblin lieutenant slipped his bonds on the second day back to Phandalin. However, this did give the party a clear trail to follow which led them straight to the place that they had been seeking: Cragmaw Castle. They once again came upon Targor arguing with a guard, but this time they did not politely take him prisoner. Instead as they noticed Caress's noisy approach, an arrow from Mythram removed him permanently from their concern.

At this point, the guards called out an attack and everybody moved forward. Lyra vanished in a swirl of unseasonably red and yellow leaves reappearing within a guard post along with two goblins, one of which was charmed by the sudden appearance of the beautiful fae creature. The other was less impressed. Unfortunately, the guard outside ignored Ravyn's spell, only to be killed by a blast of hellish fire as he struck the Warlock. Caress darted around the corner to support Lyra, though unfortunately her clattering approach warned the bandits and the wily goblin dodged aside of her blessed dagger.

Where'd the grick come from?

 Lyra vanished again, moving to the source of more noise and unleashing a cascade of fire upon the dining room of the goblins, apparently killing the head cook in the process. Though the eladrin did run afoul of a deadfall trap in the process.

Moonlit Laughter - Caress Melani Journal - Session 8

Remnants of Ruin 

 

The shrine is a question that would have to wait for later. No one still lived that knew the whole truth of the matter, save the gods, and they weren't likely to reveal such information upon demand. In the meantime, they had more tasks to look into in this part of the region. More straightforward rumors of unwise ruins explorers and bandits. And that was something that both needed attention and which they could attend to right now. So, after a rest in the hollow remnants of Conyberry, they headed south to Old Owl Well. 

Caress was not much of a student of history, but this well was one that turned up rather frequently in tales of battles both ancient and rather closer to the current time. She wasn't sure why the place was a focus of conflict so often, but it was, and that history apparently went all the way back to the days of the Netherese and their empire of floating cities and magocratic tyranny. The Netherese had made enough of a headache of themselves in recent history, it would be unfortunate if anybody decided to try to renew their efforts to conquer and oppress the Realms.

As they approached the tower, the spell of corpseflesh wafted down from the ruins. Caress and Mythram split in two different directions, moving stealthily along the walls before Ravyn's imp flitted invisibly forward to scout out the situation. Already Caress had a line of sight on a handful of zombies shambling at some task visible through breaks in the crumbling stone walls. Ravyn pantomimed some strange hand signals that Caress took to be a count and something about a hat or hair? The wiggly hands and gestures toward Lyra and raising her arcane focus seemed to indicate that the person with the hat? hair? was some sort of spell caster. Caress nodded and readied her whip and shield for the signal to be given.

Zombies by Moonlight

The signal was the descent of shimmering silver striking down from the sky onto the tent that presumably held the caster. Immediately, the yuan-ti courtesan rushed forward to the entrance of the tower, ignoring the strangled cries of pain that erupted from the tent. Once there, she found a small mob of zombies wielding shovels and picks interrupted their work and slowly turned to face Caress. Behind her, a bald man with a red robe tore out of the tent into the courtyard where his troubles were cut short by an arrow that Mythram had been holding ready.

The Second Round - South through the Wastes - Session Three

Journal Page 

The Jewel of Three Prayers 

The first couple of days travel were fairly relaxed, though the grim nature of the surroundings did damper a lot of the calm. Passing between the spines erupting from the ground here and there with increasing frequency to the east as they approach the sheer mountains looming there. The first encounter of note they had was with a troop of six Aurora Watch soldiers and their scout Devin, a drow woman who also was an exceptional cook. They exchanged news with the patrol about the surroundings. The patrol did seem to think there wasn't that much going on that was above the normal, but Devin pointed out that they'd seen a gloomstalker in the distance. 

Monster of the Week: Anthology

I have started running Monster of the Week one-shots, the idea is to build out a world story by story and I'm currently using this as filler for when other people can't make a game.

Mysteries:

• The Haunting of New Signika
  

Hunters

• Kylie Brown - The Mundane
• Tess "Tinmother" Richter - The Flake

Phenomena

• Cursed Possessions - Items which function as apertures into the mortal world to allow dangerous ghosts influence.
• "Angry Letters" - Purple, eldritch letters cut into objects by the rune awl. They seem to have some level of animation and agency. Can be scooped off objects and trapped in containers.
  

Creatures

• Hunting Ghosts - Puppeted forms of past victims of the Cursed Possessions

 Objects

• Rune Awl - A handle that can produce a subtle supernatural blade which can be used to chisel eldritch writing into things. Used in Big Magic rituals.
  

The Haunting of New Signika - Monster of the Week: Anthology

On the edge where the city was creeping into the fields, two cars drove along a road that had been freshly paved probably no longer than a season past. They passed along several sites of carefully marked and roped off lots. A handful of them were active construction sites, laying the foundation or raising the skeletal framework of a house to be. In other cases the materials had been delivered and lay stacked in weather-proofed containers waiting for a crew to be assigned. In one or two places, a building stood nearly complete but the cars drove past these up to the only house within sight that lay entirely complete. They pulled side by side into the driveway as people exited them. A tall and thin woman smiled as she stepped out of the small, cube-like black car and waved to the two people stepping out of the silver four-door car.

Remnants of Ruin - Caress Melani Journal - Session 7

Bones and Bullies 

The town of Conyberry was a shell of its former self, but it had been abandoned well before Caress was... she paused for a moment and considered. It had never occurred to her whether she had been born or hatched. She was a pureblood and her ears were rounded so at least one of her parents was human or something of that kin. And purebloods had live-birth as often as they laid eggs. She did have a belly-button, but that could have been an artifice. Belly buttons were scars after all and such could be crafted. Purebloods were the infiltrators of the Serpent Kingdom. She glanced vaguely south and east toward the culture that had decided her value was chattel years ago.

Meeting Agatha

Bones and Bullies - Caress Melani Journal - Session 6

Graceless and Sightless 

The bugbears were down, but they hadn't explored the whole of the fortress yet. There was a corridor and a secret passage to address first and the decision was made to head north and push through the secret door on the idea that they might be able to come in at the back of their opponents. In this way, they came to an armory betraying a clear plan for expansion that the thugs had as there were a number of Redbrand cloaks and numerous weapons oiled for long-term storage within. Enough to field a small company of bandits.

Following the narrow passage just a another ten feet or so came to a crypt with three sarcophagi each with a skeleton standing guard. At first they stood there quiet and motionless, but as the party took a step forward, they moved into the fight. Before Caress could step in to plug up there approach, one of the creatures was in the door and swinging at her.

Holding the Line as the Casters Fire

Over her shoulder, one of Mythram's arrows smacked into the shambling automaton, reminding the other two skeletons that they also had bows and each loosed bolts at the companions behind Caress. Silvery fire and purple bolts burst past Caress.

Second Round Inventory

This is a list of some of the outstanding items that the Second Round has run-across in the course of the game.

Weapons

• The Moonglow Spear - Originally used to enchant the shark, it's enchantment has grown stronger by it's involvement in a miracle by Elara, the cleric of Sehanine Moonbow.
• This weapon provides +1 to attack and damage rolls.
• This weapon has the finesse property.
• As an action, you may speak the command word causing the spear to shed bright light in a 10 ft radius and dim light in a 10 foot radius.
• If the wielder misses on an attack, they may use a bonus action to move half their speed away without provoking attacks of opportunity.
• It is primed for further enchantment by the power of the Moon Weaver.

 Relics 

• The Jewel of Three Prayers - A golden circlet that can be warn as a necklace. It is a Vestige of Divergence in a dormant state.
• +1 to AC 
• 3 charges, the wearer may use an action to spend a charge and cast Invisibility.
• While wearing or holding the jewel, you can use an action to cause it to shed bright light in a 15 foot radius and dim light for an additional 15. The light lasts until extinguished (free action.)

Utility

• Aqua-Primer - Anaalch Gramemist provided Snype with a weird alchemical goop which can be used to fire her weapons underwater.

 Journal Page

The Second Round - The Jewel of Three Prayers - Session 2

Journal Page
Festival of Merit 

The elders of Jigow passed out the water-breathing potions and then the race was on. The Rivals practically slammed their potions as Ayo took off ahead of the group. The Second Round were just a little slower, rushing into the water of the submerged cavern behind their opposition. Pushing through the waters, they came to a fork where Maggie Keeneyes encouraged them to take the path to the East. Realizing that hanging back to try to fight their way past Maggie would eat up time, the Second Round moved the way she suggested.

Graceless and Sightless - Caress Melani Journal - Session 5

This didn't go well.

A Dagger Darkly 

There was flash of darkness fitting between the moment when the bugbear's morningstar was falling like a meteor down on her buckler and when she was waking up on the floor to the tingling sensation of a healing potion being shoved down her throat and Mythram crouched over her form. 

The crushed form of one of the Red Brands lay crumpled nearby, clearly not slain by any of her group. Meaning that these thugs were slaying their own allies and as Caress pulled herself to her feet she hardened her gaze. A second potion was thrust into her hands and she swallowed it down.

A Dagger Darkly - Caress Melani Journal - Session 3

 The Tail of the Cat

Caress's mind shifted back to her training in the use of the dagger and whip. How to conceal them on her person and keep them at the ready at all times... without alerting the supplicants that came to her. There were any of a number of warriors and rogues amongst the Courtesans, though she was told that it was rare for devotion to manifest in such a clear connection to the divine font as was the case for her. 

This had presented her with a decision. On the one hand, if such champions were rare among Sharess's clergy then it certainly made since to be cautious and avoid taking risks. But on the other hand, a champion was meant to do things and she didn't think that caution was the reason that Sharess had forged her will into a path to the depths of the upper planes. So she did what a Champion should and strode to the fight. 

And now that divine source was stitching up her scales and keeping her life's blood from emptying out and giving her the impression that perhaps caution was the better option after all. She hadn't even made it up to the boss of this band of bandits. She was going to die to the sword of one of the rank and file. The wolf beside her lashed in and she shoved it back with her shield but the goblin in front of her smiled grimly as he readied to strike..

Call of the Netherdeep - Dramatis Personae

 Journal Page

Official Art of the Rivals

The Rivals of Destiny

• Ayo Jabe - Water Genasi born in a great storm to orc parents. Ranger with glory in her eyes but a good heart.
• Neutral to the party.  Upset at tactics, but understands they weren't malicious.
• Enthusiastically wants in on the glory of the destiny they've found.
• Has a crush on Galsariad.
  
• Dermot Wurder - Goblin cleric of the Luxon uncertain of his own importance but desperate to be of use to his friends.
• Friendly to the party. Was encouraged to try the maze. 
• Had a conversation about faith with Elara.
  
• Galsariad Ardyth - Drow wizard eager to prove his worth and intelligence. A singularly beautiful man but a bit aloof.
• Friendly to the party. Respected their intelligence, and also appreciates Esoh's tactics.
• Curious about the amulet, but reserved and not saying much of his thoughts.
• Unaware that Ayo and Irvan are crushing on him.
  
• Irvan Wastewalker - Youthful human tired of being underestimated for seeming young, eager to step away from his nomadic family.
• Friendly to the party. Enjoyed the pie-eating contest and watching them harvest rice. 
• Laid back, curious about the treasure, uninterested in the quest.
• Has a crush on Galsariad
  
• Maggie Keeneyes - An ogre warrior of great strength and keen mind who seeks to match against a fellow strategist and earn a retirement from the battlefield.
• Friendly to the party. Appreciated their comment on accessibility and good conversation.
• Seems to have reservations about this quest, but did not hesitate to support her friends.
   

Call of the Netherdeep - The Second Round - Dungeons and Dragons 5e

The stories of the adventuring party, The Second Round

Landing page by my friend Ann

The Second Round

• Esoh Vahn - Vedlaken Scribe Wizard who died before she could complete her apprenticeship in her prior life.
• Elara - Pallid Elf Moon Cleric who has the memories of her time as a powerful warrior.
• Imvenda Bladewing - Owlin Hexblade who has inherited a magical blade that whispers secret powers to her.
• Snype - A Kobold Vengeance Paladin trained by the Whitestone Riflecorp who previously died fighting the Chroma Conclave.

The Second Round - The Festival of Merit - Session 1

Journal Page
Meetings and Prologues

The town of Jigow is a collection of villages formed of predominately orcs and goblins that grew and grew, merging together until they were all virtually one place. It was a highly competitive culture and every year there was a festival among the elite of the town to decide who would be hailed as the Champions of the town for that year. It was little more than an excuse to have a big party and get a chance to show off in front of everybody. Adventurers, soldiers, scholars, and more came every year to Jigow for a chance to take part. This year, however, destiny had brought two groups of great potential to the town.

The Second Rounds and the Rivals of Destiny would meet for the first time in this place and it would start with a pie-eating competition.

The Second Round - Meetings and Prologues

Journal Page

A call of anguish rose up and reached high into the sky, passing the Divine Gate and catching the ear of the Prime Deities. Unable to act themselves, a seed was planted and heroes were called forth to an unassuming town of goblins and orcs on the northern coastline of Xorhaus.

Rites of Sharess

Definition of Clergy: Any of the "official" members of Sharess's worship in as much as the cult has official ranks. Examples would include Clerics, the Acolyte background, and the "Courtesan of Sharess" background I homebrewed for Caress

Will add to this as I think of others.

Initiation as a Clergy

I pledge my path to walk entwined with Sharess.
At her word my body is bound.
At her wish my pain is given.
At her need my wrath is directed.
At her whim my passion is unleashed.
Her loves shall be my blood.
Her foes shall be my prey.

The Tail of the Cat - Caress Melani Journal - Session 1-2

"Ophala tells me you are leaving us soon." the draconic words drifted through the incense filled room gracefully, blending with the calm and meditative atmosphere rather than cutting through it. 

The young woman sitting within the hazy cloud opened her eyes and turned to look up toward smiling, curvy, stooping woman with the steel grey streak through her hair. The other woman was setting down a bundle of folded clothes. She smiled politely and answered in a musical, sibilant tone as she stood to her full height and stretched out. The smoky incense left the room feeling comfortable warm, almost like lying in the sun.

Caress Melani - Tyranny of Dragons - Yuan-Ti Paladin

Art by Silky-Noire

 

A Courtesan of Sharess and Yuan-ti pure-blood whose life was changed by the interference of the Goddess of Sensuality. And now she moves through life doing as her mistresses does, spreading joy and protecting those who need protection. She strives to be someone whose existence makes the world better.

Personal Notes: Caress is a character concept I've had sitting around for a while now, because the concept of the Yuan-Ti emotional nature interacting with the surface elements of Sharess's worship was interesting. 

When I first created her, I wasn't consciously aware I was ace and hadn't outright said I was neurodivergent. Since I've said it outloud, she's become a character I'm even more interested in exploring. 

I want her to be a story about positive sexuality, explore how to navigate sexuality as a conscious ace, and other such things. Still a bit nervous of messing this up, but have friends that have more experience in this mode of gameplay and story than I do. I expect there won't be too many chances to explore this stuff with her, but it's still very exciting.

Caress Melani's Playlist 

Caress Melani's Character Sheet 

Rites of Sharess

Raw Session Notes 

Sessions

• The Lost Mines of Phandelver
  
• The Tail of the Cat - Session 1 & 2
• A Dagger Darkly - Session 3
• Session 4 - Caress spent it in the inn attending to her duties. (I was absent)
  
• Graceless and Sightless - Session 5 
• Bones and Bullies - Session 6
• Remnants of Ruin - Session 7
• Moonlit Laughter - Session 8
• The Bandit King's Pets - Session 9
• Rite to Blight - Session 10
• The Cult and the Dragon - Session 11
• Bounded Waves - Session 12
• Plans Ghoulish and Guarded - Session 13
• Squashing a Spider- Session 14
• The Bloated Bounty
• Much Sadness About Larry - Session 15
• Shields, Scales, Shadows, and Shit - Session 16
• Worms and Ringers - Session 15
• A Curious Evolution of Dragon Cults
• Welcome Brawl at the Lodge - Session 16 
• To the Point of Exhaustion - Session 17 
• Danger Looms Large - Session 18 & 19
• Hidden Space and Serpentine Wiles - Session 20
• Cover of Darkness - Session 21
  

Caress Melani - Playlist

 This is the spotify playlist for Caress.

Originally, I choose most of the songs on fairly shallow or at least knee-jerk reaction, but I did go through and think it out a bit more. It's a long list so some of the themes and statements get repeated.

Caress Journal Page

Caress Character Sheet

Caress Melani - Yuan-Ti Paladin

Yuan-ti Pureblood Paladin of the Ancients 6th Level 

Background: Courtesan of Sharess

 

Journal Page

Playlist 

Str 10
Dex 14
Con  14
Int  10
Wis 12
Cha 18

HP: 53

AC: 19 (Barrier Tattoo, Shield of Arrow Catching)
Paladin Save DC: 16 (Amulet of the Devout)

Yuan-Ti Save DC: 15

Speed: 30

Proficiency Bonus: +3