Session 1: Terror on the Tram

General Summary

The story opens aboard the tram from Beacon to Eleth Lilanor, via the Heart Of Shards. 10 minutes away from the Heart, the tram gave their customary announcement for passengers to collect their carry-on belongings. Towards the centre of the tram, the goblins Brat von Sausebahn and Wurst von Sausebahn vaguely noticed a cloaked, hooded, figure rise and walk between the cars towards the forward baggage car and engine. Passing by Douglas Fir, the figure carried on, catching Ogvai's attention, then walking past Romeindra to the locked door separating the passenger cars from the forward baggage car.   Casting a spell that made a loud sound, like a hand knocking on a door, the creature opened the lock and lobbed a small-but-heavy object in a leather bag to the front of the baggage car. Ogvai, having followed, slid through the creature's legs and stood up, blocking the view to the object and taking a crossbow bolt to the shoulder. The creature, revealed to be a Kenku, attacked Ogvai. Rome and Doug joined combat, with Doug first thinking Rome was attacking a helpless passenger and shoving her over. Rome managed to disarm the kenku and take its hand crossbow, and the others pressed the attack, with Brat and Wurst joining in. Ogvai managed to grab the bag, crawl under the seats, and change his appearance to look like a gnome. While the kenku managed to knock Doug unconscious, everyone heard a faint knocking sound from the other end of the tram, followed shortly by an explosion which shook the tram and caused it to stop. The kenku had put up a good fight, dual-wielding shortswords in a dextrous manner, but as the tram slowed, the kenku crashed through one of the glass windows, in critical condition, escaping into the dark of the tunnel.   An automated system in the tram passed out breathing masks to all the passengers. Ogvai discovered that the object in the bag was a light-blue crystal with a crackling energy inside, and it was definitely magical. Brat and Wurst discovered a crate of similar crystals of all colours in the baggage car, though they appeared to be inert. Stuffing their pockets with the crystals, they joined the others in investigating the other end of the train. As they neared the other baggage car, a bright flash of blue light caught their attention, but they couldn't discern what caused it.   An explosion had blown apart a portion of the rear baggage car and engine, as well as opening a hole in the roof of the tunnel, causing seawater to come pouring in and slowly spread out down the length of the tunnel. Amid the debris, they found fragments of crystals and wood, assumed to be from a similar crate.   The remaining passengers had already left the tram and were making their way towards the Heart Of Shards on foot, with the party bringing up the rear.   After a couple hours walking, a commotion at the front of the line caused the party to charge forward and investigate. A large humanoid bug-like creature had tunneled out of the ground, charmed a number of passengers with its gaze, and was eating the arm of a female dwarf it had killed. The party attacked, some of them falling prey to its charms themselves, but they were successful in driving it back underground with the only further issue being Doug, knocked unconscious again.   Upon reaching the Heart of Shards tram station, they met with a Temshai Tram Network employee who collected their breath masks and offered them lodging for the night, at the Network's expense, in their choice of inns and taverns at the lowest level of the city, the Midnight Expanse. Choosing to stay at the Conch and Coral Inn, the nicest of the recommended choices, the party found a bed for Doug and enjoyed the hospitality of the Triton bartender and her husband's cooking. Rome performed for the guests, managing to make a modest amount of coin.

Rewards Granted

• Hand Crossbow (Rome)
• 35 gp for performing (Rome)
• 6 modestly-sized crystals each (Brat and Wurst)
• 3 breath masks (Ogvai)

Notes

Takes place on YA 2269, The Panther, day 7