1st Session

It is some unknown day in the first month of the year 1266 AR. Our characters find themselves at the Berry Monastery, known publicly as a group of monks living in a valley who grow blackberries and distill them into wine. Those who were recruited to learn the dark arts from the monks by choice are the shifter Lapis Lazuli, half-elf William, and human Friedrich. The sea-elf Val was brought into the compound with other captives. A ragged human with pale skin and patchy hair named Gionata serves amongst us as well, but it is unclear if she is here by choice or has been broken into servitude to the monks. The starting group of 40 participants are shown to a bunk room and class room where they spend their time building their education from various levels and topics to something the monks find suitable.
 
Over the weeks members of the group are called away. Some return and some do not, and after about 3 months there are only 12 participants left. The monks explain that everyone, except Lazuli, will undergo a conversion tomorrow. It will change them, and those that succeed will have newfound power. One person attempts to run and is killed, so there are only 10 people left for the process. Lazuli gives a tarot card reading for Gionata and Friedrich, both readings give the results Weal and Woe. On the day of Lala is not permitted in the room, but reads about the process afterwards. Those involved drank some potions and ate herbs then were strapped down onto tables. It was imperative to their own survival and the success of the change that they do not vomit. Six participants did vomit, which seemed to act like acid and burned their throats or stomachs. We were given free reign of the monastery the next day. After a day of rest and recuperation our real classes started. Lala talked theory with her personal tutor Dazeta. Friedrich was discussed chemistry and flesh craft with a monk. The other three had introductory class on necromancy.
 
The next day the survivors were sent after a pushy merchant. He came to the monastery looking to setup a direct connection with the supplier of blackberry wine. The monks do not like this kind of attention and want him taken care of. It is preferred that we capture him alive so that he can be used for other purposes, but his body would suffice for some use. After hurrying to catch up to the merchant, the party encounters some strange kind of wolves. They dispatched some and the last ran away. After catching up to the merchant we overheard him and a noble woman arguing about money. Friedrich and Val tried approaching the merchant openly with a few bottles of wine to convince him to buy those but his demand was measured in casks, not bottles. The other 3 party members hid in the woods while the 2 in the camp spent the night with the merchant and woman. The guards did not notice the members hiding in the woods.