Tale of Two Sisters: Episode 01 - The Red Ribbon

The story begins in Akōra, Kagayakiji where a Festival of Masks is hosted once every year to celebrate the equality of one another and the harmony of beauty in one's self, not physical image. Travellers from all across Iromendia come to Akōra just for the festival.
Five characters, Saladar Al Shalim, Gnaw'd Rotflesh, Jascha, Wilhelm Ironbark & Janaya Ilntero find their fates intertwined in the festival's annual competition, "Akionetakoro" having never met each other previously.
As the four enter into the festival at different times, they each take time to enjoy the sights and scenes. The various market stalls, from trinkets to sweet smelling food. Belly dancers from Bel-Kadir, singers from Rhawnae, Jugglers from Dirinham all fill the scope of this walled grounds area that is crowded with visitors of various sizes & fashion, each wearing a different mask.
Gnaw'd Rotflesh, Saladar Al Shalim & Jascha each have a fortune read to them by Antelli, a renowned fortune-teller.

Saladar Al Shalim's Fortune (Click to Reveal)

Saladar Al Shalim's Fortune:
(Given a Golden Coin)
"I smell a youth of steel, a dancer from the lands of Bel-Kadir"

"A path of death lays in your wake, where you will tread mirrors of a past not yet forgotten."
"I see the eyes of courage, the embers of an evergrowing branch."
"You seek a gift beyond, that lays not where you see but where you must go."
"A favor is never bought, cast aside your riches and you will become king"
"You have the heart of a dragon, but the tongue of a lion. May the divines bless you, Saladar Al-Shalim"
"A great task awaits you, and it will be your greatest challenge."

"So many souls are weaved into your destiny, but the pattern is burnt, I can’t make out any more. I wish you good fortune for the journey to come."

Gnaw'd Rotflesh's Fortune (Click to Reveal)

Gnaw'd Rotflesh's Fortune:
(Given a Golden Compass)
"Greed is a poor man’s compass, I see gold and riches in your future."
"I see silver that burns bright in your eyes, fortune favours the kind."
"For a path shall be revealed, where one must take a chance."
"That not all comes from luck, a reward can still be struck."
"Your destiny is laid across a sky, a gift from myself to you, Gokhuun Shargurtay."

"Let it guide you where you must, for all things beautiful come not from what we see. But what we do"

Jascha's Fortune (Click to Reveal)

Jascha's Fortune:
(Given an Elven Hineraiin Fabric)
"I see a wooden horse fly, I see it sink and I see it rise"
"I see eyes, two of stone. One looks near, one looks far"
"You will bring them together, light and dark shall meet"
"And death of life shall silence the gate of steel"

"I need not tell you of what may come, as you already know of what must be done"
"Someone seeks your light, but a thousand mountains stand between your might"

"When the voice tells the who. Then the path has been carved out for you."

"And when you reborn the laughter, all will be revealed my dear Jascha"
"For we will meet again, when you return the favour, my old friend"

"When the sun is silent, and the day is victory"
"It will be the end of a beginning to your story"

Traditionally, a game is hosted during the festival to find and test a randomly selected group of individuals based on their assigned Ribbon & Rank.
The Protagonists & Allied character's Masks & Ribbons:

Name	Ribbon Colour	Mask	Meaning
Saladar Al Shalim	Red	Firefly	The spirit of a firefly, as bright as you are and as elusive as you may be.
Gnaw'd Rotflesh	Red	Spider	The spirit of a spider, as cunning as you are and as mischievous as you may be.
Jascha	Red	Rabbit	The spirit of a rabbit, as lucky as you are and as kind as you may be.
Wilhelm Ironbark	Red	Tiger	The spirit of a tiger, as fierce as you are and as brave as you may be.
Janaya Ilntero	Red	Scorpion	The spirit of a scorpion, as sharp as you are and as hidden as you may be.

Artor Mirauvai alongside his family & Dentai Morgan his advisor, appears on a balcony with two silver chalice cups visible, each decorated with the Enershi crest. Artor explains:

“We hope that you’re enjoying tonight. As such, our time-honoured tradition of selecting this year’s contestants for the Akionetakoro. For those unfamiliar, teams are selected randomly. A total of 5 teams shall be made from 5 random ribbon colours. Provided that the wax hasn’t broken, you will still be eligible to participate. The winners, shall receive 500gp each, a medallion of our red crest and the privilege to engrave their name onto The Atakoro Tree, where it sits the names of all other Akio who have won before.”

— Artor Mirauvai

He pulls a red stone from one of the cups, and proclaims "The first team, as it has been decided shall be of yellow!" and proceeds to pull stones from another chalice, but instead of a colour, it bears a symbol based on the Mask types everyone is wearing. Subsequently, the protoganists are selected alongside Janaya Ilntero to compete in the festival's games.

Dinner in The Mirauvai Halls

Dentai Morgan invites the participants for a feast before the Akionetakoro begins.

"It is a great honour to participate in the Akionetakoro. The title of Akio is known across the lands of Kagayakiji, it means “the bright hero”. Many of the past Akio have gone on to serve Akōra as the The Nenrai, many have travelled distant lands helping and aiding. Some go on to serve a lord, like myself."

— Dentai Morgan

Saladar Al Shalim, Gnaw'd Rotflesh, Jascha, Wilhelm Ironbark & Janaya Ilntero introduce themselves to each other whilst feasting.
Janaya Ilntero explains of the The Atakoro Tree to the group and talks of the elusive Jinjeratsu Tree's that exist beyond the walls of the Mirauvai family home. Claiming it to be extremely rare and valuable, for use in production of Atsu Wine and harvest of the Jinjeratsu Berry.
Artor Mirauvai formally introduces himself to every participant around the table. Saladar Al Shalim confronts him about the potential request of a seedling of the Jinjeratsu Tree to bring as a gift for his Sultan, Sultan Samawi III to which Artor Mirauvai considers.

The Akionetakoro Challenges

Order	Name	Challenge	Stone	Number of Team(s)	Winner
#1	Moreteki	Archery Challenge	Air Stone	5	Black
#2	Ankara	Barrel Challenge	Earth Stone	4	Red
#3	Tineiro	Maze Challenge	Water Stone	3	Red
#4	Takechi	Firehorse Challenge	Fire Stone	2	Red

The Red Team won, which comprised of Saladar Al Shalim, Gnaw'd Rotflesh, Jascha, Wilhelm Ironbark & Janaya Ilntero.
They are met with praise as they enter the main area of the festival with people chanting "Akio".
Artor Mirauvai thanks all the participants but expresses towards the winners:

“It is always an honour to watch people across the lands participate in the Akionetakoro, you each possess an admirable set of skills. To say thank you, I have had my Steward take from my personal collection. Atsu Wine! A bottle for each!”

— Artor Mirauvai

He wishes them to enjoy the night as they all make way towards the main festival grounds.

- End of Episode -

Campaign Date
2 Unnepi, 602 AE
Session Date
13th July 2020
Chapter
Tale of Two Sisters
Protagonists
Saladar Al Shalim
Gnaw'd Rotflesh
Jascha
Wilhelm Ironbark

Allies/Supporting
Janaya Ilntero

NPC Appearance(s)
Artor Mirauvai
Anriel Mirauvai
Shinshara Mirauvai
Veneshi
Dentai Morgan
Antelli
Tinker (Tinker's Tools & Jewels)
Gerard The Traveller
Hilder (Gifts & Comraderies)
Timmo (Roasts & Ruckeries)

Group Appearance(s)
The Nenrai
Location(s)
Akōra

Notable Weapon(s)
Akōran Bow

Notable Items(s)
Antelli's Golden Compass
Antelli's Golden Coin
Antelli's Elven Hineraiin Fabric