Session 10 - "All knowledge is based on what we cannot prove. will you fight? or will you perish like a dog?"

General Summary

Last time, on Strength of Thousands…A loud bang on the nearest door began the session with a startle. Beyond it, a nest of dangerous paper wasps raged, bearing down on our heroes with vicious cruelty—though the Magaambyans won out handedly over their insectoid opponents. From there, they began to scour each room of the Tree Stump Library in counter-clockwise order, encountering foes and finding treasures in equal measure. First, they found a strange onyx cauldron that could cast talk to corpses and encountered a nest of spellskeins hidden in the fallen papers. Then, they searched under mold and battled a host of giant silverfish that emerged from beneath a stack of beds. Afterwards, they opened the northeast door and found something… concerning. It seems that thirty years ago, an individual wearing a spelleater manacle (a locked wristlet that amputates a being’s ability to harness magic) had occupied this room, plotting a revenge murder against Takulu Ot, Janatimo, “the woman,” “her man,” and both of Adira’s parents: Nahara Zinnia and Salimu “Abasi” Nasra. However, this plot ended as the individual performed a ritual to remove the shackle, failed, and detonated from the inside out. Now, their only remains appear to be a faint blast shadow burned upon the floor of the room. Bemused and distressed, they resolved to finish their work at the Tree Stump Library and entered into a fight for their very lives against a massive string slime. As the creature’s last desperate split gurgled its last, we return to the Anteater Cohort’s side…

The party reconvenes and learns that the room with the slimes is a storage closet. Nymeria and Orvin learning that the residue from these creatures reacts to organic material, and in fact is a delicacy elsewhere in the world.

Rubina appearing to have taken significant damage to her abdomin and back. With Nymeria's expert healing aided by the party, Rubina is healed back to near full.

• Matt had to step away-

Returned as Adira was offering her arm to be healed by Nymeria

It appears that Eshe was able to reinstate the seal on the Library when we were leaving.

the party returns to Teacher Ot to inform him of the party's success as well as get some answers!

The party returns the books to teacher Ot to find out that each of these books was meant for a party member! Helping guide us in our areas of interest further on in this journey.

Teacher Ot welcomes the spellskeines into the fold as well!

Adira reports to Teacher Ot the information around the destroyed body found within the library. teacher Ot expressing that no one should be handling the manacles the party recovered.

Teacher Ot reports to know who the book belongs to and who died within the library. Teacher Ot begins to tell us a story of his cohort at the Magaambya. This cohort under the study of Geratamo (?). Musarasa, Eris, Ot, and Adira's Dad(I think). Something went wrong when trying to persuade pugwampis away. Musarasa killed all of them and was promptly expelled. Another individual who had bothered their cohort so much ended up joining Ot's cohort.

It was learned that Musarasa fell in with Knights of Obendago (?) anarchists that worship the god of murders and lies. They sought to uproot the hierarchy of the expanse, and change the foundations of it all. Establishing Anthusis on the remains of Magaambya's traditions. Fighting towards the future of torture and pain. Adira's parents went out to find Musarasa to find out what was going on and learned that Musarasa was not alone. Adira's parents almost died, and they decided to leave the Magaambya. somewhere far away. That is how they made it to Tephu. Musarasa was taken and brought back to the magaambya and answers were attempted to be extracted. As punishment he was manacled before being tried for murder. Musarasa strangleded a guard and escaped his cell. An augury spell was done and it was found that Musarasa died, and his fate had been unknown as it was too difficult to find.

Nymeria has a moment to herself where it feels as if she had heard and seen this story before.

Adira reports that she never heard anything like that and how disconnected she feels from family or other connections her family may have to the school. Adira requests Teacher Ot to send her parents a message to contact her. Adding the news that Adira casted a cantrip, and that she would like to speak with them "please".

Adira and Nymeria exit the room and make their way back to the Spire dorm.

Eshe offers an Evil eye with the design of a moon with 7 spikes, and offers their condolences to Teacher Ot. "There is always a path to redemption" Eshe reporting that if we are navigating demons, they are hopeful to ask Nocticula for guidance on the path.

Orvin finds that these manacles are overcharged and inert now.

We pan to Nymeria and Adira. Nymeria follows a little slower behind before knocking on Adira's door and seeing it creek open.

Adira struggling to come to terms with with intensity of the story, and feeling as if she calls her parents cowards for leaving. feeling a split between her actual mother and the story book version. (We love a little cognitive dissonance). Concerned that her parents were adamant on having Adira attended despite the experienced danger from before. Wondering if Musarasa being dead was known to her parents or not. Adira searching for answers and the conversation turns awkward between her and Nymeria. Adira expressing thanks for the sincerity from Nymeria, and expressing that she misses her Uncle. Nymeria expressing some concern about the debacle with Tonalis's appearance as well. Adira expressing to Nymeria to trust in what tonali says.

Orvin makes his way to reconnect with his muse.

eshe goes to their favorite snack place for sweets and savories. Heading to the library the party just left, and then to the standard Magaambyan library. Looking for books on the Knights of Obendago and The cheliacs and their runes. (we will explore during down time)

It seems that over time Teacher Ot becomes more detached and is spending vast amounts of time in the room where the manacles were found.

Adira is visited by a dream of a park from her childhood. Knowing that it is a dream council. Nahara exclusively appears and hugs Adira. A soft moment between the two. Adira taken steps to apologize and express regret for how she spoke previously. the mentioning of Musarasa has had Adira's dad in and out of nightmares and unable to visit Adira. Nahara expressing that there are many people and things who have attempted to kill her, but that she is capable of defending herself. Nahara expressing that if things had not unfolded the way they had, she would not have married Adira's father. Adira expressing that she is really trying to do well and fit into the image set before her. Expressing that she wants to be as strong as her mom, but while also being her own person. Nahara expressing that Adira's uncle has not returned. Only getting the short response of "thx". Adira is asked to keep her uncle as long as possible if he shows up at the school. THEN it became about the cantrip.

We pan out to Rubina being visited by Mariama coming to speak about the events of the ceremony where she almost died. Asking to know if she is weak. Requesting to follow in Rubina's foot steps by developing herself through hard work. rubina expressing that she will help, and that it can help, but Mariama has to take it seriously. Knowing that she or anyone else could die if Mariama fails. Mariama and Rubina make plans to train and have Mariama become better.

Nymeria does not dream.

Orvin has a cute little dream with his buddy where they explore a basement and find some magic item. really cool and beautiful things happen, and then just a lot of screaming. Orvin spends most nights after this in a catatonic state at night. Being cared for by Anchor root and Noxolo offering Orvin an invite into the insomniac game night. Orvin brushes off his exhaustion to adjusting to school. Making it a point to attend every now and then.

Nymeria at some point does get presented with a creature in a mirror. Expressing that Ot had sent them. Being Ot's summoner friend! Nymeria is brought to a study. A vast swathe of snow. Mikhael "Mishka" Thorne!. Nymeria stepping through the new portal presented to her, and finding herself incredibly cold. Mishka asking the flame( his summon" to burn brighter and keep Nymeria warm. Mishka reporting that he has been asked to check in with Nymeria every now and then to make sure things aren't getting too out of hand. Mishka interested that Nymeria is not able to summon her eidelon at will. Not feeing seen and understood bridges some connection between the two. Mishka teaches nym that the eidelons are partners not master servant. Mishka asks if Nym feels that she has harmed herself in some way making it more difficult to connect. Mishka, after messing with Nymeria, takes steps to get Nymeria to connect with her magic. Tonali attempts to reappear, but is actually too cold to stay :(. Mishka offering Nymeria some tips and exercises she can do with a harrow deck and other mental exercises. Nymeria makes their way back through the mirror. Making sure to take time to get a mirror and another harrow deck in the near future.

(i had to step away and missed parts of this :( )Rubina takes time to research into the manicles and finding out the origins of the ritual to have these items present. Explaining that Rubina also takes time to get some money!!

Asanda is going the route of selfishness in having magic. Wanting to try and break into the college to push back against it. Not doing magic to care fornieghbors, but very much just being selfish and being powerful. Asanda trying to get his foot in the door (like having a powder pile) and generally get more people to work for Arcanico. He does his internship at the ArcaniCo adn proceeds to deposit all earned funds at different churches within Nantambu.

Nymeria takes time to research into their Ghoron book, and learns about the history of the druid that made all Ghorons. Ghorons breaking away from the Nexians and establishing their personhood. Nymeria then crits on self-reflection on the research track. Trying to explore more on who Nymeria is. After spiraling significantly and leaning into the idea of navigating herself and learning more about this strange life she is experiencing.

Adira takes time to study and getting ranked in Rain-Scribes! Adira takes time to look into the people of her parents original cohorts. Learning that Masarasa was a Magus. Lyrissa "Lyric", and Eris "Alchemist" and Adira's dad "wizard" were part of that original cohort mentioned before. Also learning that Ulawa might know more too!

Eshe takes time to study for Cascade bearers! Eshe also taking time to learn more about and critically succeeding! Learning many effects could draw insects to a specific place "opposite of antipathy". Learning that one of the properties of the vessicant egg is an irresistable call to all creatures on 6 or 8 legs. Learning that this relic might also speak to Anadi in some way. The relic being something entirely different in a lot of ways. One of the papers about the egg is written by Ulawa on using the egg to ward places.

Adira appears to be content with any passing grade with the cascade bearers, but is highly motivated to do near perfect in the Tempest suns.

Orvin is acting as if things are well but seems a bit more on edge after getting middle of the pack grades. Noxolo now cheking in on Orvin more and more, he has began just buying/ making little gifts for Noxolo to make it more of a gift exchanging relationship.

Rubina connecting more with Mariama and having her grow as a more competent fighter, without the use of lies.

Eshe did decently and feels accomplished but wants to snowball and be even better next time. "the sky is the limit". However Eshe does have a B+ in Arcane magic (like the numbers part) and it is particularly irksome to them.

Nymeria does really well in classes, and surprisingly passing with flying colors and surprising themself and a few others.

Crystalhue is here!!!! We all get lil gifts from the dorm members! I fully got lost in the cuteness of the moment of gift giving and did not note down what everyone got. but it was beautiful and sweet and Matt definitely didn't cry at all during it B-)

Events

Achievements

New Characters:

Reoccurring Characters:

Battles:

T

No lasting injuries.

Locations & Travel

New Locations

Loot, Rewards & Purchases

Report Date

20 Dec 2024