The party’s adventure commenced in a bustling tavern, where they warmly welcomed two new recruits, Bron and Vyra, into their fold. Shortly thereafter, a mysterious planes-walker appeared, teleporting the group to Thunderpeak, a quaint town that held significant importance as Myrkan’s hometown; the plane being the ancestral home of the dragonborn.
Upon arrival, Rya promptly visited the local temple and uncovered information about the enigmatic Ripper, a menacing entity that had been terrorizing the local populace. Meanwhile, Vyra discreetly acquired a cloak to conceal her identity from her disapproving family, who resided in the next town.
At Vaerion’s compound, Myrkan vouched for the group’s credibility, and after a brief altercation with One Eye, who required restraint after attempting an unauthorized entry, Vaerion tasked the party with investigating the Ripper. Equipping them with specialized gauntlets capable of shooting dispel magic darts, Vaerion set the group on their perilous mission. As night began to fall, the party initiated their exploration of the town, catching a fleeting glimpse of the elusive Ripper.
In a harrowing encounter, our protagonists confronted two formidable Rippers, magical entities with a sinister serial killer background. During the intense battle, Vergil and Dante were critically wounded, severed from The Weave after being stabbed, leaving them vulnerable. The Rippers, composed entirely of magical essence, vanished without a trace after their defeat. The dying antagonist’s chilling last words echoed a haunting promise of revenge: “They killed me. I only came back for revenge.”
Meanwhile, a magical rift emerged in the town, bestowing new mystical abilities upon Bron and Vyra. Bron acquired the Spark Jump spell, while Vyra received the powerful Blinding Smite.
After being refused entry at the town’s gate, they sought refuge at a nearby inn, where they were unexpectedly granted complimentary rooms, marking an intriguing turn in their supernatural journey.
After a challenging attempt to enter the compound, we were initially denied entry, but ultimately talked our way into the courtyard, where we unexpectedly met an awakened Otter. Following approximately an hour of waiting, we were finally allowed inside, where we encountered the Ringmaster.
During our interaction, she claimed the Ripper’s actions were not her fault, alleging that the city had killed an innocent man. The Ringmaster discussed her experimental “Project Magnitude,” which requires beasts to ‘stick’ and needs human test subjects. She proposed allowed only 1 gold piece to be charged to ‘cure’ people of Tail-rot, warning that she would sell the medicine herself if Vaerion attempted to overcharge.
Additional discussions involved Vaerion negotiating skyglass deals, Vyra questioning medicine pricing, and Rya’s confrontation with the Awakened Otter.
The Ringmaster offered cursed armour to Bron, who declined, and then mysteriously disappeared, with a lightning strike following Oneeye’s snarky remark.
As a result of our encounter, each participant received 50 gold, with Myrkan receiving an additional 150 gold due to Nepo Money.
After the Ringmaster’s departure, a strange “Fuzzy Air” lingered, causing headaches for anyone who stayed too long in its presence. Myrkan, having taken sweets and poppy seeds from the kitchen, left his father’s compound, with the party, and headed to a smith and armourer where he inquired about light armour and discovered a brigandine available.
Vyra sought a container for the Silver dragon egg, needing a basket and wool that could be enchanted and reinforced by the armour maker. Vergil purchased a set of armour while also asking about an iron rod, which was denied. One Eye inquired about items for sorcerers but was directed to an enchanter instead.
Meanwhile, Luna headed to a general store for rations, and Vyra stopped by the enchanter to gather the basket and wool. The enchanter’s shop, an ancient living tree-stump, revealed that enchanted armour was expensive, with Myrkan paying 2000 in “Nepo Money.” Myrkan also provided a loan of seventy gold pieces to One Eye for a Ring of Protection, with a formal agreement to ensure no debt was incurred.
Vyra had to fetch more funds, and while visiting an apothecary, Bron picked up two unstable potions.
At the tavern, Myrkan lost six gold gambling, but eventually won it back. The party gifted Vyra the Stormgate Selection Tablet and brought back black goop from the Ringmaster’s warehouse.
The gnome at the apothecary chastised Myrkan for his vial storage, leading to a chaotic moment when a vial began to violently shake, revealing it could convert living matter into a zombie-like state. Rya attempted to pour it on Myrkan, resulting in a split into three pieces that attached to Myrkan’s leg, turning the scales black. Rya’s attempts to heal him proved fruitless, leading Vyra to suggest waiting until they could confront the Ringmaster.
The next morning, Myrkan found his arm also covered in the black substance, and a vial had been smashed overnight. After picking up his armour, the party set their sights on Velmara, a day’s travel away, known for its giant glass dome and the only source of skyglass. Upon resting at a tavern, an argument erupted in a raised garden about familial disputes. Rya inquired about the commotion, and Vyra encountered a knight from her family, revealing unfinished business regarding her ex-fiancé and the family’s disdain for other species, particularly Bron.
Disowned by her family, Vyra declared, “Come, let us wash the dust of this place from our feet,” and they continued on their journey, where Rya sought a rope-dagger from a travelling merchant who only had black steel, known for its non-conductive properties.
In the town of Dryska Hold, which appears normal at first glance, a massive steel wall looms ominously at the other end, towering 30 feet high and constructed from overlapping plates. This formidable structure is the only barrier between the townspeople and the storm below, teeming with Demons, Devils, and other fiends. Most of the city’s personnel are dedicated to maintaining the wall, which is heavily guarded, especially as one approaches its intimidating presence. Some plates are magically joined, while others are not, and a shack connected directly to the wall serves as a guard post where a heavily armoured secretary oversees operations alongside ten guards wielding black steel swords. Visitors must fill out a lengthy form that includes a peculiar disclaimer about extraterrestrial encounters causing mental trauma.
After processing, they receive a keychain emblematic of the wall, which ensures their return to the town. Beyond the wall, the exterior is charred from past attacks, with melted plates forming a solid barrier. As the group ventures out, they encounter a mysterious hotel door after two hours of walking, which leads to a dimly lit hallway and a lobby where a bandaged dragonborn, covered in injuries, introduces the place as “The Lab.” Here, Myrkan learns that his mother, Evelyn Blackflame, is with the head director.
As discussions unfold, the group is asked to leave their weapons behind, and are told of a minor explosion, showcasing the volatile nature of alchemical substances. They undergo a decontamination process that cleanses even the smallest viruses. In Meeting Room 5, engaging conversations about ancient wars and alchemical practices take place between the Ringmaster, Myrkan’s mother, and Alania.
Myrkan shows the remnants of his past battles, leading to the removal of a black goop from his body and inquiries about Project Magnitude. The Ringmaster, hints at a larger project aimed at empowering ordinary beings while discussing the implications of genetic engineering. Each party member undergoes an injection from a purple-and-blue swirling liquid, producing varied effects ranging from temporary enhancements to debilitating side effects.
Upon injection, a searing pain coursed through the entire body. For Rya, the shot was where her neck meets her back, granting her +1 wisdom for the next hour, but leaving her temporarily blind in one eye for six hours and imposing a disadvantage on perception, while her normal sight functioned as true sight for the same duration. Vergil experienced the injection in his inner thigh, causing his mind to shatter with an overwhelming urge to follow the Ringmaster without hesitation, with no time limit. He gained temporary hit points equal to his constitution score and was granted a random spark of power known as the Eye of the Weave for one hour. Myrkan received his shot in his jaw muscle, allowing him to regain one spell slot or class feature used, but also incurring a -2 penalty on strength or dexterity-based rolls for six hours, while enjoying resistance to bludgeoning damage for twenty-four hours. Vyra, injected in her forearm, could speak with animals and plants for five hours, but her body began to shudder, and she collapsed, becoming paralysed for twelve hours, although she gained resistance to poison for five days. One Eye, injected in the eye itself, shared Vyra’s ability to communicate with animals and plants for five hours, along with the benefit of a potion of hill giant strength for the same duration.
As they navigate the aftermath, the Ringmaster expresses interest in hiring the group for future endeavours, offering a lucrative payment, setting the stage for their next adventure.
After recovering her mobility, Vyra checked on the Dragon Egg before teleporting to the Deep, a unique coastal town populated by merchants and pirates with surprisingly low crime rates. The town’s unique atmosphere, characterized by unguarded money boxes and a strict maritime justice system – where thieves are dramatically threatened with meeting “Davey Jones in his locker” – added a colourful backdrop to their maritime preparations. The local tavern bustled with energy, filled with laughter, beer, and diverse characters including mercenaries and sailors.
Vergil inquired about boat hire, learning they would need to recruit a crew, with more experienced sailors commanding higher prices. During negotiations, the party encountered various potential crew members, including older captains hesitant about night sailing and mentioning the mysterious Dead Moon vampire crew. Myrkan strategically negotiated with a younger captain, ultimately securing passage for 400g and the entire leviathan body, with each party member contributing their share. The group then split up, with Vyra purchasing enchanted ink and paper for making a scroll, Dante purchasing Tobacco, and others going to gamble.
In the morning, the Party gathers on the dock alongside the crew as they prepare to board the boat. The captain inquires if anyone suffers from seasickness, and soon after, the group begins their various chores. Myrkan takes up the task of swabbing the deck while Tai Lung, his Tressym, helps by sweeping. Bron is busy cooking, and Vyra focuses on completing the remaining scrolls. Although the sea is a bit choppy, it is manageable.
When the bell rings for lunch, the Party lines up, but Myrkan, unfamiliar with the concept of queues, struggles to understand the process. The cook appears and serves everyone a bowl of meat porridge with vegetables, and they find their spots on the boat to eat. As they enjoy their meal, Vyra checks on an egg, noticing a crack that signals it is close to hatching.
In a moment of impulsiveness, Myrkan decides to take a swim, only to be attacked by a large electric eel. He is struck and begins to drown due to paralysis and nerve damage. Bron quickly jumps in to rescue him and once he’s back aboard, the captain reprimands Myrkan for not ensuring the water was safe before jumping in.
That night, everyone retires for sleep, but they are abruptly awakened by the ringing of a bell as the crew rushes to the deck. Tai Lung takes to the skies to investigate, spotting a jet-black ship in the distance, bearing a red moon on its flag; The Dead Moon! A fierce battle ensues with vampires, where-in Vergil was bitten, but the vampires submerge before any finishing blows can be dealt.
Morning finally arrives, and the Party reaches their destination.
