Session 14: Stepping Out Report

General Summary

Scene 1: Morning Departures
The morning of the 9th of Ardanni is a cool and cloudy one, the daylight defused through the cloud and tree canopy. A series of tinkling and deep bell chimes ring out over the city and drift into the house though the partly open front door and windows. The activity of the house has started early; since many of the attendants and servants had woken for early worship and were now making their way back to the house. Conversation over the morning breakfast is varied; colored by philosophical talk; conversation with gods, and some cute yet awkward flirting with Caleb via pancakes by Eva. Evorious and Amaryllis have yet to make an appearance.
Ramble seems conflicted amid his conversations this morning with multiple gods. And as he and Eva discuss their plans for the day, hoping to head up to the Great Tree; they eat and casually chat.
The sounds of enforcers assembled in the courtyard grows louder as someone among the ranks starts to bark orders, and the young men begin to load up and prepare horses. The sounds drifting in from the open door to the foyer identify the voice as belonging to Caleb. Though there was mocking and teasing sounds from Eva's earlier visit, now they are compliant and respectful to his command.
The dining room door opens, letting in a louder surge of sound into the space. Todd walks into the doorframe and waves Andi over toward him. He looks much better, no sign of his injury visible in how he stands or looks on from the partial shadow of the doorframe.
------
Todd Beckons Andy over and asks, "Have you spoken to your mother yet?" He explains that he has spoken to Ophelia in the middle of the night when she awoke him to grill him with questions about what Andi’s been up to. The revelation about your fight as told by Ramble and Evorious at dinner had seemed to spurn the interrogation.
“She came to me asking me to recount all your dealings of the last few weeks; and to question the events that led to my injury… Do not fear, I spoke of your bravery and courage. Rest assured that I did NOT speak of the finer details of which you have told me in confidence; such as your visit to Frank.”
Once sure that Andi was herself doing alright; Todd goes on, "She asked that I encourage you to speak to her further on the proposed plan of me escorting you on a journey which might bring a leave of your duties…" Todd pauses with a look of significance, “I think perhaps it would be good for you to hear what she has to say on the matter.”
When Andi is hesitant he adds, “May I say something on her behalf? As a parent, I hope to impart a bit of guidance in this delicate situation; your mother loves you even when she shows it so poorly.”
Andi considers the letter she wrote, that she had intended to leave her mother.. But now perhaps it would be better to do things Todd’s way but needs some time to consider. Heading to her room, Her and Squiffy discuss and she gets a pep talk from Squiffy who assures her that He will never leave her, and that he will support her no matter what she decides. But he thinks Andi should speak to her.
Following a brief time away, bolstered by Squiffy’s words, Andi heads back downstairs and finds Todd standing in the foyer, watching her as she comes back down. As she gets to the intersection outside her mother’s study. He approches, puts an encouraging hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze and nods to her and promises to not leave her. After all, He’s her guard, even if Ophelia pays him.
With this assurance, Andi knocks and enters the Study to confront her mother.

Scene 2: Mom's Study
As you enter the study, you expect to see it in its usual state; but find things not as they should be. The stacks of papers that normally litter your mother's desk have been strewn and scattered across the corner of the room, other various items that usually stand on the desk join the papers on the floor in disarray as if the contents had been thrown from the desk. Ophelia's back to you as you enter, her eyes fixated on a portrait of the family hanging above the bookshelves to the left of the fireplace; a glass of something red in her hand. You notice as she turns to see you, that she is still wearing her morning robes over last nights outfit. Her hair disheveled and her eyes darkened with lack of sleep - a slight puffiness to them.
"Ellisande." She nods to your arrival. Putting down her drink on the mantle before sinking down onto the plush couch in front of the last embers of fire.
She gestures to the chair beside the fireplace and looks over to where Todd lingers behind at the door. He nods and bows, but pauses under her scrutiny. He makes no move to leave as promised. The slight lift of your mother’s eyebrows is telling of something, but your not sure what.
Andi declines to sit as her mother had gestured to. “I prefer to stand.” She says. Trying not to loose her nerve.
Before Ophelia can get too far into what she seems to be geared up to say, Andi interrupts and explains that she has something to say, and that she want’s her mom to just listen and not say anything until she’s done. That she wants to say some things and needs her mom to agree to listen.
Pepperjack sits in Ophelia’s lap as Andi takes out her letter and begins reading it.
———
Mom, I have always wanted to see the world and experience new things. I’ve felt that the responsibility I was born into, was a cage, keeping me trapped her unable to live my dream. It’s a cage that I don’t know if I can thrice in. I’ve felt foolish, stupid, and useless when it comes to dealing with real responsibility. I don’t have what it takes to be you. I don’t want to be you. I want to be me. I want to laugh, smile, and enjoy being with he people who love me.
I see how the weight of this responsibility effects you. I know you love dad, the boys, and Netty. I can see how different you are when you get to spend time with them, relaxed, happy. I see that your responsibility takes you away from them and I hate that, I don’t want that. I feel it, it’s suffocating, and someday it’ll be completely on my shoulders. I am not ready. You will not always be around, someday you will be gone and I will have to do this alone. I’ve avoided it becasue I’m afraid. But I can’t continue to live in fear. You can’t continue to live in fear. I could screw this up, I could make the wrong choices, I could get hurt. Someone I care about could get hurt. If I am afraid and I do nothing people will get hurt, and that would be the worst mistake.
I know I’m not the best daughter. I want so much for you to be proud of me, your constant disappointment in me even when I really am trying my hardest kills me. It feels like it’s easier not to try, becasue if I’m not trying than at least you have a reason to be disappointed.
How can I be a good Rootlord if I don’t trust myself? How can I trust myself when you are the one person who’s opinion of me matters to me doesn’t trust me. I need you to help me, I need you to trust me, I need you to belive in me. We have to have a closer relationship, we ahve to be more to eachother than just mother and daughter, Leader and successor. I need you.
Going forward I will make the choices I think are right even if it is dangerious or difficult. I’d like to have you with me, by my side helping me, and supporting me, but I will do it without you If I need to.
———
Standing, Andi’s mother walks over and without hesitation, wraps her arms around Andi and hugs her. It’s the most genuine moment of connection that Andi’s had with her mother in a long time. And it feels awkward.
When she finally pulls her self back, she keeps her hands on Andi’s shoulders - taking a moment through her tears to speak, “Im sorry Andi. Truly I am.”
Squiffy considers this moment with scrutiny, but it seems to him, that in this moment at least she is genuine.
Ophelia leads Andi over to the couch, and gently pulls her down to sit beside her. Andi allows her to do so. “I promised myself I’d never become like my mother, and Here I am — just like her.” She looks over at the fire as she gets overly emotional and can’t bear to look at Andi.
“You have so many traits, aspects of myself that I’ve had to suppress and keep hidden. Because my mother demanded it. I hate myself that I’ve done the same to you.” she makes eye contact with Pepperjack in this moment, shaking her head in response to something that he seems to have asked her.
Glancing over at Todd, “Todd has pled with me to let you prove yourself. As has your father. So, In good faith, I have decided that I’ll lay out two options for you… One, you can prove your determination to me now… Or, Two, you can prove yourself to me in a task I shall set for you.”
Andi pauses as she hears this, confused if he mother just asked her to fight her?…
“If successful in proving to me your abilities and determination - I will allow you that greater freedom which you desire. But I will not change my mind about your safety without such an assurance. What do you say to this proposal? Is that agreeable?”
Andi considers the offer and Chooses the second of the proposed options. “A task please.”
Ophelia nods “I shall appoint an arbitrator to be an impartial judge to the task. You have a strong will. I appreciate and celebrate that about you Ellisande; it is one of many qualities that will make you an excellent Rootlord some day.
Standing, Ophelia goes to her desk and opens a locked drawer, retrieving something and then returning with a small book. It’s appearance is unremarkable, but she holds it reverently. The book is familiar to Andi - recognizing it as something her dad had in his possession when settling disputes between her brothers.
Opening the book, a burst of bright blue light refracts from the pages and dances runes across the underside of your mother’s chin, and the ceiling above. The book itself is unassuming except for the burst of light. Her eyes look down to the paper, Pepperjack wonders close as she begins to trace her finger over the source of the light in the book. A ripple shimmers outward and she sets the book down on the ground. A mental hum begins to grow louder and louder until it becomes unbearable.
All at once the hum consumes your senses and in a blink of an eye the hum stops and the room disappears. All at once, you find yourself standing in a massive white washed room, you, squiffy, Your mother, Pepperjack, and, you now see your father standing at a breif distance. He turns and walks towards you and the assembled and looks worried on approch.
“Ophelia darling,” he says tentatively, “I thought we discussed more rational ways to handle things, did we really need to bring in the Starlight Tome into this?”
“It’s quite alright, Andi has chosen a task rather than fighting me. Don’t be dramatic.” She says with a fond smile. “The tome has chosen you to be arbitrator to the task I’ll be setting. I suppose it believes that because you love us both you will be impartial and fair.”
Stephen smiles wide and winks at Andi. “I will do my best.” He nods and smile encouragingly at Andi and Squiffy.
It’s then that Ophelia puts forth the task. Detailing out that the city of Bansa is overrun by the Crimson Blight and has had to be sealed off to keep it from spreading. “Since you have found a cure with the Eastern Rootlord Apparent; I’ve sent out to have a portion allotted to the city. You will lead the troops to Bansa, and see to the cities fate. It will be up to you to determine what is best, and how to save the people there or make the tough call to abandon them should it come to that. The battalions gathered out front will be beholden to your decisions. Your Father will watch and advise as needed; assessing and keeping record of your task and choices.”
Andi listens and agrees to this task. Ophelia nods.
“Now, the Tome will hold us to this arrangement and your father to the task. It will keep us in oath.” She says rather ominously before bending down and picking up the book. Closing it and dispelling the white room wherein they had made the agreement. Stephen is no longer with them.
“Where’s dad?”
“I assume he is packing. You will be leaving as soon as you are packed. We don’t have time to delay on this matter.” She nods solemnly. “Here, give this to your father.” She hands Andi the Starlight Tome. “It will reside with him.”
Andi takes it and nods.
“Also…” she pauses, tracing her hand up her forearm, she slips off her gold bracelet. A thing she never removes it seems so this action catches Andi off guard a bit. “Take this.” She says, muttering a word under her breath. The bracelet slides down and morphs into a rapier blade, a blade that upon her whisper catches golden flame. “This is the Sun Piercer. I want you to take it with you.” Another muttering word and the flames extinguish.
She turns her wrist and the blade turns into liquid gold. Once back as a bracelet she holds it to Andi’s forearm where it curls up around her, leaving her mothers grasp to become entwined with Andi instead. “Take care of it.” She says. Leaning in, she whispers a command word. “This will activate the Sun Piercer.”
Andi accepts the gift and realizes what her mother has been carrying around with her at all times, and how she had never known.
“Hurry off then.” She says more in her usual business-like tone.
Andi nods and turns to the door. Taking her leave.

Scene 3: Off to lead and Army?
Andi heads to her room, packing up all the things she thinks she might need including the divining rods and the reference papers for them. Dressing in her riding outfit. And packing light. Squiffy also getting a few more things in his bow pockets.
The houseman arrives with two attendants to collect her things. “Are you sure that you don’t need anything else?” He says pleadingly. Then directs your attendant to get more clothing.
After loading up Andi finally realizes in a moment of dawning, that she is at last going on a journey, an adventure and the excitement of that floods her.
Heading outside Caleb is giving a “pep talk” to the troops of enforcers assembled in the courtyard. Andi walks up behind him and trails along behind in a teasing way as he gives his speech. The troops watch as Andi imitates his movements, Caleb seems to be ignoring you deliberately.
“We should all be prepared for an extended fight.” “The Cure has been acquired, and we will be bringing it with us.” A cheer from the troops.
Andi looks around to see if Theo is among these men.
“Don’t worry,” Caleb says, “He’s been named as Keeper of the Cure, and will be meeting us with us a bit later.”
Andi blushes. Squiffy slides himself through Caleb’s legs in an attempt to trip, but doesnt manage to trip him, looking over at Andi with an arched eyebrows expression. Andi acting innocent.
Tiny, Andi’s giant horse is being prepared for Andi to ride. They’ve saddled him and added the feline perch to the back of the saddle. Andi asks for a backpack style platform to be added to the gear for her to wear at a later time. It is stowed away.
———
The Housman approaches Andi and asks what he should tell her GUESTS, with her departure. Andi instructs him to tell them that they are welcome to stay and to sleep and eat at the house at their leisure. And Asks him to apologize on her behalf. He nods, “Of corse.” And retreats to the house.
Following the Houseman, Andi’s dad exits the house followed by two other Enforecer Captains, both wearing the same pin on the lapel that Caleb wears. They chat for a moment before joining the troops. Stephen walks over and gives Andy a side hug. “So.. Arbitrator” he says with a smirk. “Fun.”
Andi remembers the book, and hands if over to her dad. “Thank you.” He says taking it and stowing it in a ridged side bag with a locking mechanism to keep it safe. “Wouldn't want that to get misplaced.”
Andi agrees, eyeing it with a measure of curiosity as it gets put away.
“So, Is this your first time seeing the Starlight Tome?” He asks, realizing that he hadn’t explained the item to her before. “The Starlight Tome is an enchanted item, and holds a very special kind of magic.” He goes on to explain that it is the Northern Heirloom; and as the steward of it; it falls to him to keep it safe. That that responsibility has always rested with the husband to of the Rootlord, and that it will fall to your eventual husband. Following that detail things get a little awkward. But Stephen shrugs it off and smiles, “Never mind that now. Did She explain what you’ll be expected to do on this trip?”
Andi tells him what mom told her about the task. Stephen nods and gives her another side hug. “Don’t you worry, you have me and your brother, and all these fine young men to protect and help you.”
Squiffy laughs in his sneezing way.
“Besides, I do know we are picking up another fine young man later.” His hint about Theo is hardly vailed at all His teasing blatant. Andi blushes. “It will all be alright. And it not, that’ll be alright too.”
Andi and Caleb get atop their horses and he indicates to her that She’s in charge here and points to the front of the line. Andi’s dad joins them as Andi and Squiffy take the lead.
Ophelia comes out to give Stephen a kiss and to bid Andi good luck, then returns back into the house.
Heading out, Andi notes that Todd lingers in the rear assessing each enforcer recruit and almost memorizing them. After all the troops have filed past him, he mounts his own horse and catches up to ride at Andi’s side as her protector and escort.
Tod hangs back for a moment to intimidate the troops, making pointed eye contact on each of them. Joining Andi at the front of the party as soon as he completes that task. Squiffy takes note of this and tells andi about it.
The city crowds part to allow this important procession on it’s way. Three battalions of enforcers at Andi’s duty. The entire thing is heavy and getting very real. Squiffy helps direct her which way to go. Andi chanting in her head the mantra she learned from Martha, Just fake it with confidence.
At the gate to the city, Andi is ushered through to find Frank and Theo standing in waiting for their arrival. It’s here that Theo joins the party and takes up Todd’s position at the front of the party. “Andi.” He says nodding with a smile. Waving to Frank who only seems to have come to see him off on his way.
A locked case is strapped to Theo’s wrist, and lashed to the horse at his side. The case containing the portion of the cure which has been allotted to them for this endevor.
The group heads out, and following Andi as she on muscle memory takes them to the western side of the Road, as she would normally take to head home to Avrah. Though this time she would be waylaying to Bansa.
Squiffy outs Andi’s previous blushing event to Pickle, there is a shared giggle as they both revel in Andi’s awkwardness.
Theo and Andi chat a bit as they head out on the first leg of the trip. Using the mental connections of their felines to keep it secret to only them.
TRAVEL DAY 1:
“You’re a really good rider.” Theo says to start conversation.
“It’s more Tiny than it is me. He’s a great horse, He makes me look good.”
Theo smiles, “You look good doing it.”
Andi blushes and changes the subject. Suggesting a travel game. They entertain this for a time, with Andi winning out in the end. Though Andi gets cute with it, and makes it cheesy by setting perimeters for the word game to being about love and the like.
Squiffy intervenes on one of her answers to ensure that she wins with the word “Alluring” which causes Theo to Blush deeply.
The travel for the day passes with nothing much eventful to note. The wall to the Shadelands to the companies right. Caravans pass them on the way, seeming to head in for the festival. There are guarded carriages and wagons as well as some poorer people.
At the farthest West Point edge of the Shadelands guard post. The company comes up on this secured area and Andi decides to stop here to be safe. She calls it and everyone settles down to set up camp for the night.
The group sets up camp. Andi getting her own tent. Theo is setting up his nearby as Andi goes into her tent to settle in. In this time Andi decides to try on her new Mantle Cloak which she hasn’t used to disguise herself before. In a moment of mischievousness Andi dawns it and prompts a disguise of a young man in an enforcers tunic.
The experience of shifting into another “Mantle” is odd and disturbing, and Squiffy shares the mental image of this visual to Andi. Pimply and all.
Andi exits the tent and runs into Todd who looks at her odd and awkward behavior as a young man leaves Andi’s tent. He narrows his eyes. Andi speaks up, “Good day for a walk.” She ways.
Todd looks over at Andi in disguise, his hand on his dagger, showing it deliberately as a threat, “Who are you supposed to be?” He asks. “I know every recruit in the company, and I don’t know you.”
“Todd, It’s me.” Andi whispers. Squiffy winds around Andi’s feet.
“You should be more careful with that.” Todd remarks thoughtfully. “Perhaps we should have a code word.” He suggests.
“I’ll think about that. I just wanted to see If I could make it work. I promise I’m not sneaking out. I came out to talk to you directly.”
Todd nods while keeping an eye out on the camp. “I suppose there’s no harm in wondering about a bit.” He remarks. Eyeing very pointedly towards Theo who is putting up his own tent.
“Should I tell him who I am?”
“I wouldn’t say that’s wise. The cape was a gift; but I wouldn’t mention the item to anyone, as the item isn’t exactly sanctioned.”
———
Squiffy keeps a bit of a distance as Andi heads out to play around a bit in disguise. Andi heads towards Theo, watching him struggle with putting up the tent, clearly distracted keeping his eyes glancing over at Andi’s tent.
“Do you need some help?” Andi says dropping her voice to disguise it.
“Sure, yeah here.” He ands Andi a stake. “Want to get that corner?”
Andi moves over to the indicated corner and manages to push the stake into the dirt with a bit of effort.
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I don’t think we’ve met.” He extends his hand.
Andi panics, and Squiffy helps her with an name, “Andrew.” Andi offers it.
“Oh, nice to meet you. You don’t seem like you’re from the South, Where are you from?”
Squiffy gives a name in the western Rootlands. “Zikraa” which Andi gives.
“Oh, Yeah, I’ve recently been through that area. That Squeeze pass it a dangerous one isn’t it?”
“Sure is.”
“Hard to visit family often. Maybe we’ll pass that way.”
“Yeah, Maybe.” Andi says looking around, “I’m not good with directions,” Andi stumbles over her words, “which way is the supply wagon?”
Theo points it out, plain as day, set beside the rows of tents for the enforecers.
“Ah. Well it was nice to meet you. I better go put up my own tent.”
Theo nods and lets Andi leave. “Nice to meet you Andrew.”
———
Andi continues this charade and takes the opportunity to play this character to her brother - this weepy boy who lost his tent and is in need of another one. When pressed, Andi further lies and give him the name Andrew Peterson. Andi takes the tent and meets a few other enforcers as she pretends to put up the tent. Then pretends to brush “his” horse… chatting casually with some other solders. Andi does a poor job constructing the one man tent and waits for the chance to slip away. Realizing that now her fake enforcer Andrew could be a potential problem if an empty tent is discovered in the morning. Andi eavesdrops on the Captains, hearing that one of them disclose his worry about his brother who was stationed in Bansa. Asking the Captains for news on the situation there.
Eventually Andi heads back to the tent and tries as unobtrusively as possible to slip back inside to take the mantle cape off.
After getting the mantle off, Andi gathers up Todd and goes to find her dad, wanting to talk about Bansa and get to the strategy part of things. Gathering the Commanders and her dad in her tent, they discuss her worries bout tainted water supplies and, How exactly they get the cure to everyone affected. Andi discribes what she knows of the sickness, and the goo that is expelled after taking the cure. That the cure has to be ingested… Relaying her battle with the monsters that the goo created and finds a capture audience with her tale. Squiffy attempts to explain how he used the void to force the energy to expel the goo, and finds that nobody seems to grasp what it is he’s saying. They look over a map of the city. Discussing the measures that have already been taken to secure the city. Walled barricades, and ice walls to trap the Canal’s Locks in place at either end of the city. They mention reports of a red rift or hole. And show Andi where they presume the energy in question to be located at. They end the conversation talking about the trapped men who they know are inside the city but they had no choice but to deal with the voile nature of things and wall them inside as well.
The group chats with not much information before they bed down for the the night in their respective tents.

TRAVEL DAY 2:
In the morning there is some confusion as everyone gets packed up and ready to head out, Andrew - Andi’s disguise recruit has caused some confusion, luckily Andi had snuck out in the night to take the tent down. Overhearing the sounds of Wolfs in the woods nearby; some gossip from the patrol about the unity games. But all in all, Even the patrol when seeing Andy deconstruct her tent in the middle of the night disguised as “Andrew”, they did nothing. And the subterfuge continued unhindered.
On the road again… things pass by unhindered. The party arriving at the Transportation Canal at the end of the day. Andi decides that they group should push the barges through the night to get to their destination faster.
They load up 3 badges and head out. The sturdy horses guarded by an enforcer each pull the badges onward into the night.
In the early hours of the night Andi Gambles with some Enforcer Recruits. Enjoying the activity greatly.
Spends some time chatting with Theo when they all head to sleep, a sound breaks the silence and an alarm is raised as the barges are forced to a stop.
A lone arrow in the back of the enforcer leading the front barge. A number of people disembark to try to see what happened, Andi and Squiffy among them
It is deduced that the arrow came from some location high up… tainted with red magic.
With some help from Pickle, and Gruntly - Squiffy pushes his mind outward and boosts it with assistance to find the red magic rip in the void where the arrow came from. Whatever did it was able to open up that rift and kill the lead man.
This information is shared with the commanders and Andi’s dad. A quick chat about Bansa follows, and growing worry mounts as Andi learns that there is some word of red magic in Bansa, on top of the fog. They relay that and it sinks into the pit of their stomachs as the reality of the situation gets more grave.
In hopes of pushing beyond the reach of that red rip in space, Andi orders the badges to continue moving through the night.
They all load up and head out once more.

TRAVEL DAY 3: As the group tries their best to sleep on the barges, they arrive at Lake Elfinian in the wee hours of the next morning, with 2-3 days left of travel till Arriving in Bansa.
The Party makes way and unloads the barges. Sending a couple enforcers back with the body of the fallen enforcer to take him home for burial.
FIN - That’s where we end for now.

Campaign

Shades & Valor

Protagonists

Ellisende' Gertrude Copperbottom Raye

Chaotic Good Human (Northern Rootlord, Wealthy)
Bonded 6
Palidin 2

61 / 61 HP

STR
16

DEX
18

CON
18

INT
10

WIS
12

CHA
14

Squiffy-Bean

Chaotic Neutral Feline (Wealthy, FIN)
Bonded 6

41 / 41 HP

STR
12

DEX
16

CON
12

INT
15

WIS
16

CHA
17

Report Date

13 Nov 2022