Session 3: Danger From Below, and Afar Report

General Summary

Recap:

1. It's the morning after the party's first dangerous mission, and while everyone congregates to the lounge to enjoy their day off, they're greeted by a familiar gnome, who crashed the apprenticeship ceremony a few months back. Riggie introduces herself to the party, giving them their next set of orders, as well as a scrumptious gift of a dozen muffins. After the party has a small chat with her, she wishes them well and says goodbye.
2. The party's orders themselves are instructions to meet with Defender Figwell in the next day's morning, however they still intended to relax for today. The group thinks about what'd be fun to do in town, and decide that a well-earned trip to the bathhouse was an order.
3. At said bathhouse, they winded down, and for the first time, had seen Sam no longer covered in dirt and mud. After their pleasant trip, they were greeted by grim news, as the town crier began to speak of a battle at the firbolg stronghold of Dún'Aille Point. Apparently the stronghold had fallen to the merrow, and masses of refugees were now fleeing in search of new homes.
4. Intending to learn more, everyone headed to the Guidewind Headquarters, where in search of a superior ranked knight, they came across the person who'd introduced their apprenticeship ceremony, Warder Myron. Myron was busy talking to two other apprentices, whom previously ignored and sneered Erika, and continued doing so to the group. Interrupting in order to ask their questions, Warder Myron had explained that the news of the fall of Dún'Aille was true, and that it's likely the merrow are making plans to kill or corrupt the Divine Tree that resides within the stronghold.
5. After doing her best to address the party's questions and concerns, Myron scolded the male apprentice whom she was talking to earlier for his sneering, and based on a comment made by the female apprentice, it seems the two of them were Warder Myron's children. The party left partially reassured, but still very unsettled, and tried to enjoy the rest of their day of relaxation.
6. In the following morning, the party reports to Defender Figwell, who explains that their ability to handle the danger presented in their last mission was quite notable, and cause for a potential advancement to the rank of Journeyman. Today, they would be doing a test to see if they were capable of traveling through the Rift. The party was brought to a square room, with large pinkish-purple crystals mounted on each of the four walls. In the room's center was a depressed space, filled with this white grainy liquid.
7. The roles and procedure for a successful Rift travel were explained, and after the party deliberated on who would do what, they began their test. The initial calculation phase was successful, and the navigation would've been as well, however Sam barely missed the mark, and Tadrel was threatening to become lost. In his role, Nutae attempted to bring Tadrel back to the group, but inadvertently sent Tadrel spiraling further away, causing him to get 'lost' in the mock scenario, and leading to the party failing the test.
8. Defender Figwell noted that they managed to do quite well for their first time, and explained that she'd be promoting them to Journeyman regardless of the failure, though with a stipulation. Until the party succeeds the test, they are not able to act as knights outside of the Merrow Crescent, and cannot advance further in rank. Once the bittersweet victory was concluded, Defender Figwell implored the party to attend the Festival of Faith in Westerbrook; as a kind of reward for their success.
9. With Lia also wanting the party to visit the festival, it was but a week until the party had taken the last ship towards Westerbrook, and made their way to the Festival. Once they'd arrived, Lia lead the party to the festival grounds, where several stations dedicated to the good and neutral deities of the Crown (Dawn-War) pantheon were hosting small activities. Everyone split, playing games, talking with individuals of like-minded faith, and generally enjoying the revelry.
10. During their festivities however, an orange-cloaked and hooded figure attempted to steal Sam's bag from her, and after failing, tried to escape. The figure was apprehended by both Sam and Nutae, the latter of whom knocked the man unconscious. While the party was busy turning the unconscious would-be thief into the guards, Sam and Nutae noticed a similar looking figure come out of a dilapidated building across from the fair grounds and watch from afar. As they tried to make their way to the figure, the figure rushed off, and disappeared into a crowd; but he left the door to the building he came out of ajar.

Notes

In Game Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 08/05/1195—16/05/1195