Session 32.2: Looking for Keystones

General Summary

The groups discussions before the session are described here.
Summary: 2 points

Handling the camp

Unsure how to proceed after their recent discoveries, the group tackles what they feel they need to do before leaving the camp.

Assessing the keystone

Inspection seems to indicate that the gems present in the earthen keystone are part of the magical effect, so they cannot be removed without destroying that effect. However, Leucis puts forth the idea that the keystone isn't necessarily evil of itself, so perhaps it need not be destroyed. Opposing opinions center around the potential danger the other keystones (located or otherwise) represent, so they consider checking out the (ostensible) other keystone on the dirty map.
Kolvonnin uses his Divine Sense to see if the keystone has the same fiendish aura the shards did, but he doesn't detect one.

Repairing the keystone

Leucis uses the Mending cantrip to reattach the gray stone shards with Maya assisting. Once the last shard is rejoined, there's no apparent gap or break, which indicates all the pieces are accounted for.

Obscuring the scene

Before leaving, the group decides it might be wise to make the keystone a little harder to spot. They drag some of the tents and most of the refuse pile over the keystone so it's not readily visible. Maya sets the pile of bodies ablaze as the party leaves.

In search of another keystone

Retracing their steps

The party heads north back to the river and reaches it just after midday.

Saf and Sunny have a chat

Along the way, Sunny and Saf have a conversation about Bursk's "life debt." Sunny is concerned that "everyone should be free, brosette" and the half-orc doesn't look very free in his new situation. Saf argues that her actions are the only thing that saved him from death (gesturing here at Kolvonnin). Sunny counters that he'd rather be dead than a slave. Saf indicates she's been where Bursk is, and that this was the only way she saw to give him a chance at some better future.
Sunny thinks forcing Bursk to come along with the group isn't the way to go; Saf says she hopes not to have to force him to do anything. Sunny says he's going to keep an eye open for things "getting out of hand" (unearned violence) and Saf assures him that she has no such intentions. Saf says she's open to ideas, but if Bursk were to be freed now, he would face justice in Sohmweyr most likely, and she doubts farmers and such would look kindly on a captured bandit. Sunny suggests that Sohmweyr might have some use Bursk could be put to, if he can behave.
Changing topics a bit, Sunny inquires about Saf's experience with combat - that last battle looked a little out of her league. The rogue admits she's not as well-versed in the martial practice as the rest of the group is. The bard suggests adjusting tactics since "it would be a total bummer if you died, bro." Saf seems both amused and a little touched by this sentiment and echoes it to Sunny.
Sunny suggests that if Saf is any good with a blade (as she seems to be) his skills as a knife-thrower and sword-swallower might make for some good practice. Saf twirls one of the daggers acquired in the last fight around her fingers and says she's planning to have a long think about how to proceed once they get to Sohmweyr.

Saf dives into Bursk's history and skills

In an effort to suss out what the half-orc might be interested or willing to do going forward, Saf makes some polite inquiries. Bursk, for his part, is fairly forthcoming but doesn't have much to say - he seems very unmotivated.

Harb expounds on his most recent memory

Harb muses aloud about his vision of Ioun's temple and share some of the details from his recent memory. Maya inquires about whether it's a dream or a real memory, and Harb admits he can't be sure.
A few highlights of the vision include:

• The deal Harb was getting into was legitimate and would be upheld, it would end poorly.
• The deal involved "servitude until death and beyond in return for an end to [his] travels."
• The seer bled profusely from the eyes during the vision, so it seems her sight was taken during it.
• The temple walls involved three giant eyes: one amber, one clear crystal, and the last a smoky onyx.

Harb says once they get somewhere with a strong drink, they're on him.

Back at the dam

Reaching the crude earthen dam where they fought recently in the late afternoon, the group decides to press on with the daylight remaining towards where the map indicates the other keystone is before stopping for the night.

Making a few calls

Sunny and Leucis use Sending (via the Gossip's Mirror) to contact Golden Daybreak again.
Sunny informs his uncle that the situation has largely calmed down but that the group is looking into another such relic. Goldy replies that Clouded Summit and Creeping Vine were sent out to help, and tells Sunny to stay out of trouble. To save the locals the trip, the duo Send to Clouded Summit to advise her that they can return home; Sunny and company will be in town in a week or so. Summit, for her part, is relieved to hear things went well and will want details when the party arrives.

Settling in for the night

Maya gears up to cook some food and inquires of Saf whether he should make some for Bursk. Saf says no, indicating she has trail rations to feed him. Maya decides that the dish he's preparing is more than plenty for the group at large, so the half-orc may as well eat what the party is having. Bursk seems a little surprised but grateful; the druid indicates he's looking a little scrawny and bids him eat his fill.
The party reminisces about Harb's stirge stew (Session 22) to Bursk's disgust and dismay.
Leucis sets up the Tiny Hut and the party beds down for the night.

Passing the night

Sunny and Harb on watch

It's a quiet night. Sunny tunes his instrument and chats with Harb about Bursk. They're a little concerned but have some confidence in Saf doing the right thing. Sunny muses about how having work and a routine helps a person deal with trauma, as he did on his uncle's farm after his parents' deaths.

Maya and Saf on watch

Once Harb has settled, Maya asks Saf if the life debt arrangement with Bursk is anything like a contract, since his home town has a contract and it's been unpleasant. Saf considers the similarity, but points out that it's a bit different with individuals versus communities battling. Maya inquires why Saf wants to save Bursk; the rogue says she's "been where he is." He didn't seem to know what he was doing, fell in and got caught up. The druid compares what the rogue is doing to his caring for Cinnamon.
Changing topics, Maya points out that Saf is less than great in a fight, especially if Bursk's life depends on her. The rogue agrees, somewhat ruefully, but says she plans to reevaluate how she approaches such things going forward. Given their shared concern, they decide that the Cloak of Protection Maya wound up with might be better placed with Saf.

Leucis and Kolvonnin on watch

Kolvonnin spends some time with his tools adjusting and rekitting his armor after his recent pummeling. Leucis's prayers include a query about the keystone, but the goddess is silent on the matter.

Clothday, 17th of Leafbreak

Dawn breaks, and Maya expects windy weather so he advises the party.

Locating a keystone

After a couple of hours travel, the group reaches their best guess from the map about where the other keystone should be. Maya shapechanges into a giant toad and starts combing the river while the rest of the party scopes out the bed and banks. One of the isolated pools along the river seems to have the keystone in the bottom.

A closer inspection

Careful not to touch it, the group wafts the water around it to remove some of the silt. This keystone seems intact; Kolvonnin engages his Divine Sense and doesn't detect anything untoward. The paladin follows up with Detect Magic and gets only the Conjuration aura, so this keystone seems unsullied.
The group considers whether the gems on this keystone are in the same configuration; Maya is fairly sure they aren't exactly the same but can't point to a difference.
Maya touches the stone directly and feels the same details as before (no ridging from tool working, and the similar feeling to the Hearthstone).

Considering the situation

Somewhat mollified that the infection was apparently isolated to the single original keystone, the group considers how to proceed. There doesn't seem to be a good way to track down more keystones without making some assumptions about distances and directions. So they decide to set back out for Sohmweyr.

Next steps:

1. Head to Sohmweyr.
   • See Sunny's extended family.
   • Ask the townsfolk about the earthen keystones.
   • Retire Cinnamon?
   • Train/retool Saf.
   • Work out where to go next.
2. Between session tasks:
   • Distribute new Wisdom of the Elders of Hearthstone to Maya/James.
   • Run a scene between Maya and one of the elders.
   • Reply to Leucis's Sending to Mia about research. (12)
   • Maya teaches Saf to dodge a stick.
3. Out of Character tasks:
   • Jeremy: Generate wishlist.
   • Eddy: : Generate wishlist.
   • Meg: Update wishlist to master.
   • Heather: Update wishlist to master.
   • Determine any in-town activities your character needs to handle (shopping, questions, etc) and communicate with DM for planning purposes.

Session Feedback

Eddy: Losing swag chariot dreams was the worst thing that happened this game. As for the keystones, I'm on team "you'll run across things you don't know the purpose of." Enthused about the world-building going on. I'm not worried about enemies in front and back; feel free to gum up the wheels.
Heather: Overall conversation with Saf went well. Loot distribution went quicker and smoother than expected. Taken a bit off guard by Clouded Summit.
James: Loot conversation went faster than expected despite minor tension. RP went pretty well with Saf and Bursk. The emotional concerns have been mostly addressed. As a player, curious about Matt's ultimate goal is.
Jeremy: Good to clear some logistics stuff. Saf now has a plan going forward which is good.
Matt: Loot conversation went how I hoped it would; definitely better in person than via chat. A little surprised about the answer with Cinnamon. Bursk went about as planned. Separate conversation about how the keystones were. Don't like leaving the keystone thing alone as a player, since it feels like potentially two fronts. Everybody's interactions with Bursk were good. Thanks James for the nice cloak. Main concern about two fronts is it causing decision paralysis later.
Meg: Loot process went well (decision and distribution).
John: Weird and lopsided is the order of the day since we had logistics things to handle. Some more information about keystones likely to come up in the next Dream sequence with Maya.