#thylead recap

[badassindistress]

The Thylead (Session 24)

With brilliant fire the Hydra was slayed

The Queen once more holding the Titan’s Bane blade

With sweet songs and welcome we were paid

With such happiness, who could be afraid?

After a rest, with the Medusa securely in the cell, they go down to the forge. There’s half-finished bronze parts of birds, humans and in the corner there are dragon wings.

There’s a twelve foot tall cyclops with 10 fingers on every hand, chained to the floor. They announce themselves as friends. The chain might be locked, only the Queen or Princess have the key. It looks like adamantium. Azelma picks the lock.  His name is Brunt? And he’s too large to fit through the door. He came here about two months ago, blindfolded.

Fire Island is now ruled by King Jancar, he has the Storm God’s blessing. Queen Vica still rules her village, but not the Island, she is not the strongest now. He does still want to go back to fire island that is where he belongs. Iliana asks if he has hydra-bashing weapons, he says slashing and bashing is all the same, unless they use fire. He completed 4 working people robots. He made some swords, a lot of stimfays. They promise to send his friends down and ask him to wait a day. Mania gives him some of her old writing to read. The lizardfolk don’t want to fight a hydra.

The amazon mentioned an underwater entrance. The hydra can’t leave that way, there’s a gate you have to unlock.

They send Basil in and the Hydra immediately shoots towards him and snaps him up. Thalestris casts a Wall of Fire around the Hydra. Thalestris gives Iliana Heroism. The heads shoot out at Cleophe and Mania. It tries to leap into the pool and swim away. two of its 10 heads falls off. Azelma manages to firebolt it under the water. Thalestris conjures four sharks. Iliana sends fire down to the hydra, skipping round the sharks. Cleophe casts shield of faith on herself and clambers into the hydra’s pen. The spirit guardian sheep dives into the water. The sharks try to tear the sharks to shreds. The hydra kills three sharks and swims closer to the surface. Thalestris lets a fire sphere sinks into the water, Phryné foretells the Hydra will not be able to evade it. Phryné foretells that Iliana will hit it with lightning. Cleophe dives into the water and smites it until another head falls off. It’s thrashing and close to death, but manages to bite into Cleophe very badly. It scuttles out of the water to get away from the fire. Azelma fireballs it, all the heads are drooping. Iliana kills it with a scorching ray. Cleophe slashes at the stomach to free Titan’s Bane. It’s a long, rapierlike sword. Thalestris calls Daran in. Iliana and Mania harvest scales, vials of blood, teeth and some of the heart of the Hydra.

They take a rest as Thalestris asks Andromeda how many more followers the false Queen had. She doesn’t know. Phryné goes up to Thalestris to tell her that 1. She doesn’t know how she feels about Thalestris’ gods, but she thinks it’s very interesting. 2. Thank her for allowing Phryné to practice her religion with the bones in this temple. 3. She’s needs help looking for Hexia’s lair and thinks the amazons might help and needs Thalestris’ help to ask them.

Phryné gives Daran her veil to hide her identity. She ask Queen Daran if she can help with the Hexia thing. Andromeda has indeed spotted a green dragon a few times, she always seems to fly off to the Forgotten Sea when they tried to track her. They don’t really like to sail in the forgotten sea, there’s a massive whirlpool that can suck you into the underwold and it moves around. She’s always heading to the constellation of the dragon. Phryné thanks her. There’s also Sydon’s Phraxis tower in the forgotten sea, another reason not to get lost in the sea. There’s been a few more dragons in recent years, which is odd. There was also a metallic dragon on indigo island that was attacking, the amazons are in correspondence with people there. The green dragon is old. The bronze dragon on indigo island is new (an adult, but it might have come from somewhere else.) Indigo island is under the sign of the Queen. (Themis is under the twins). Phryne makes sure to say goodbye to Brunt. Thalestris puts on her vestments to look as much the High Priestess as possible.

Daran calms the marble golems long enough for them to go past. They take their little boat to head to the princess’ camp. There’s clusters of petrified woman, amazons who look like they were chasing something to the north. The statues look new. Thalestris There’s the sound of hoofbeats but deeper. A javelin launches into the tree behind them as they shout warnings. 4 amazons on riding rhinoceri and 2 basilisks approach. The amazon glares at Daran and tells her to surrender. Thalestris tells her this is the Queen of Themis. They throw a javelin at her. They seem to be trying to shield their eyes. Mania lifts Daran’s veil and looks her straight in the eyes, telling them she’s not the medusa. They don’t seem to trust her. Cleophe intercepts their attacks on Daran. Phryné shouts that this is their Queen and they can give any proof they see fit. The Amazons are listening. Thalestris says she can cast a spell that forces people into their true shape. Iliana polymorphs herself into a really big crab and Thalestris dispels it under the Amazons eyes. Iliana turns back into herself. Thalestris does the exact same thing to Daran. The amazons notice she’s not wearing the silver helmet. Daran says she has spoken the sacred words and that the gods and goddesses have recognised her claim. She raises Titan’s Bane. The Amazons say they’ll take them to the others then. They uncertainly welcome her back. Daran names the others her protectors. Azelma asks how they figured out they had a false princess.

Yesterday, the princess’ crown suddenly crumbled and she changed forms. She was able to escape. They go to the campaign and there’s a lot of explaining going around. Daran gives a halting speech and does a mini version of the ceremony in the temple. It impresses the Amazons. Daran says they’ve got the situation under control, they could leave. Leia the Amazon might have fled the island. The Amazons don’t like bending the knee to anyone outside, if she holds Titan’s Bane and controls the Queen she might. They ask if she will ally with the mainland when the Oath of Peace is over. She would consider making a treaty if it was with us. If your homeland is attacked, I will help if you will do the same for mine.

Mania asks for a favour. Any Amazon who calls Themis home should be allowed to come home, even if they aren’t known to them. As long as they are loyal to the Crown and Throne, they should be allowed to come home. Daran asks who she has in mind, but then retracts her question.  She says she would welcome her sisters home.

Thalestris really wants to stay and help. Azelma tells her she can come back again. Thalestris tries to explain it’s not safe yet. Phryné gives her a hug. Daran clasps a hand on Thelastris’ shoulder and tells her she’ll be protected. She doesn’t need to fear for her, and Daran will protect the Island. Daran asks her to keep in touch. Thalestris contacted her sister, who can contact Makaila and send her to the island. Daran says they could have a big coronation party where they’ll all be guests of honour.  Azelma says she/they deserve to be recognised and Daran earnestly agrees.

They get out the casks of wine and word is sent to the other amazon enclaves around the island. Mania finds a lot of cute amazons who fawn over her hydra and medusa fighting skills and who teach her drinking songs in a language she doesn’t know yet. It’s the best day she’s had since they met the oracle.

Iliana talks to Thalestris. She doesn’t want to leave again, especially not before it’s all over. They still don’t know what Iliana puts her head on her shoulder and tells her the Island will be ready for when she’s come back. They drink together. Phryné is getting drunk too. Mania’s new amazons friends are making up impromptu victory rhymes with their names.

Astarte says the false queen made a raid on fire island, the Jancan is a master smith who was going to make them weapons.

Thalestris is going to Daran and hand her a piece of wood she has carved some druidic symbols in. She told her she can ask her sister what this means. There’s a couple of drunk girls who are trying to get cleophe to flex so they can hang off her arms. Another group are making wide eyes at Azelma, wanting to see them do magic. She minor illusions a flying stimfay into the air to great aclaim.

  And that’s the end of this session of the Thylead…

@aporeticelenchus  @leomundstinyblog @m-siecle @pioup-pioup  @somuchbetterthanthat @abubblingcandle

[badassindistress]

The Thylead (session 22)

Out of sight of the stars we ventured down

To the temple where we battled alone

Against someone with no rights to the crown

I really don’t want us to turn to stone

The portcullis slam shut, the hydra starts to stir from the noise. Azelma, cloaked in darkness and leading the way, manages to find the correct key and open the door. She finds a second door she can open as well. In front of her she sees a room with a couple of beds and two amazons who immediately jump up. They run into the room, Mania Commands one of them to Relax and tells them they’re not here to hurt them, they’re here to save the Princess. They don’t quite believe her.

Thalestris says that Astarte and Zosima sent them. They seem willing to listen to her. They ask why she brought outsiders. Thalestris says it’s a long story, that they come from Mytros and that things are not as they seem with the Queen and her closest people and that the whole island may be in danger.

They ask if the Queen is in danger. The Queen is downstairs. They ask why they didn’t give her the password to pass the Hydra.

Only people with official business should be here. Azelma tries to convince them but they don’t think she’s very honourable. They say they can speak to Thalestris, but the outsiders should be tied up and put in the cells.

Thalestris, finally embodying her own power and position, calmly tells them she trained under the former High-Priestess and her abilities

She asks to speak to the Queen, to the Princess or even Makaila. The amazons raise the portcullis. She says she think it’d be best if Thalestris’ friends wait outside. The queen sees very few people these days, she keeps to her vigils. Thalestris says it’d be dishonourable to let her escort be killed by statues. She asks to look at the cells first, because Azelma might escape otherwise. There’s two lizardfolk in the cells. One has blocked off window, for the Silent Prisoner. Mania says she can’t be locked up in a room with light, since she’s a star. The Amazon glares at her. Thalestris waves them all in the cell corridor. Mania slips through, giving Thalestris Enhanced Ability to lie and charm.

Thalestris says Makaila was concerned she was seeing the effects of oathbreaking on the Queen. She says she has abilities to help and heal. The Amazons seem very concerned and Thalestris seems very sincere and trustworthy.

In front of the cells, Azelma finds keys that match all the cells except for the center one. Iliana sees there’s a modified Darkness and Silence around that door. Azelma picks the lock anyway without a problem. Azelma says “Hi, are you the Lost Princess?” and her words are magically dampened. There’s a woman with a big scar over her face. She gives a tentative bow. Iliana presses a finger to her lips and casts Dispell Magic. Azelma gives her some water to drink.

She asks who they are. Mania explains Makaila, the real Makaila sent her.

Princess Daran 3rd of her name of Themis, she doesn’t quite know what’s going on on the Island and only had her stimfay as company. The Hydra is new, Lutheria sent it when the guards defected from Daran’s mother. She heard them training it, the codeword might be something like “by the Grace of Lutheria”. Cleophe gives Daran the sword from the Amazon, Daran looks at her a bit wide-eyed but takes it.

The lizardfolk are here because they were taken in a raid, but the Amazons wanted their smith.

Their queen would give great rewards for the return of the smith. They ask if they will return for them and the smith, the Jancan. The smith is deeper in the temple.

Jancan, neigbhourspecies of cyclops with 10 fingers on each hand, wellsuited to craft and making magical items. They agree to give them a key if they wait a bit and not betray them to the guard.

Cleophe asks their names. Hesk, Saraza, they serve Queen Vica, long may she reign. The lotus witch lives on cursed scorpion island with the centaurs.

Thalestris has gotten a bit of the layout of the temple from the Amazons. Phryné messages her that they found the princess and to either get them out or talk them deeper into the temple.

No one goes down to see the Queen unless they’re called. The Amazons (Andromeda and Pallas) stay to guard. Thalestris thanks them, she has spent a long time on the mainland and it’s really nice to be back. They nod.

Iliana turns the princess invisible, her sparrow stimfay hiding under her cloak. Mania flirts with the Amazons so they don’t pay attention to the others.

The amazons call out “By the Lady Lutheria’s Grace” and the hydra quiets down. They go down to the third level. Basil scouts ahead and only spots doors. A room full of commerative medals from games and battles and a banner with the creed; “A sisterhood of equals, our strength forged in battle, death before dishonour”

Thalestris hears breathing from her door. They decide the temple is probably not behind a bedroom and go the other way. The next room they find has two goatmen in it who immediately start insulting them. One of them turns into a giant spider. Thalestris closes the door on it and locks it. Azelma firebolts the one who got out anyway. Mania tells it it’s the ugliest thing she’s ever seen and it keels over. They decide to let the spider be and look elsewhere. Thalestris listens to another door, which sounds quiet. Thalestris solemnly apologises for doubting Basil’s earlier check. It seems to be another bedroom, a single petrified statue in the corner. It’s male and looks terrified. Thalestris tries to pass it alone. This room also seems to lead to the other room. They decide to flank the room with the breathing. There is another door round the corner. Now she’s closer, she can hear two people chanting or singing. Thalestris asks Daran if she wants to come in or wait. They explain there’s imposters here.

They decide to let Thalestris go alone and speak to them and if she says Pythor they have to come help her. Thalestris goes through the statueroom and sees two Maenads chanting and dancing. They look at her with aggressive extasy and attack. One of them dances at Thalestris and she begins to dance frantically as well. She breaks free and yells for the others to come help her. Phyrne gives Iliana resistance and calls her spiritual weapon.

The other Maenaed begins to sing to all of them, Iliana begins to sway. Mania starts dancing and singing against them, pulling her friends free form the Maenead’s charm. Azelma firebolts both of them. The Maenaed runs to slash at Azelma. Cleophe kills one. The door to the south opens, some more warrior women rushing out. They look like Lutheria worshipping assassins. They are told to protect the Queen. The maenaed slashes out at Azelma again.

Thalestris calls out they’re here to help. The assassin is completely uninterested. Cleophe intercepts her blows to Thalestris. Another assassin runs in. In the doorway they see Makaila. It looks pretty much like her.

The maenaed goes straight to Iliana and plunges a dagger into her chest. Iliana casts a wave of fire around Thalestris. Thalestris casts Erupting Earth, hitting three assassins but also herself. Two of them burnt.

The Queen, in a beautiful silver helmet, steps out behind from Makaila. She takes off her helmet and turns into a Medusa. Thalestris makes one of the assassins burst into flames, giving her friends Heroism.

Fake Makhaila runs past the spirit guardians and attacks Thalestris but misses. The spirit guardians mess her up, but she doesn’t look as hurt as she should be. Azelma finally kills the Maenaed by cutting her in half with the Shadow Blade.

Iliana, in the gaze of the false Queen, starts to turn to stone. Thalestris on her turn starts to petrify as well.

And that’s the end of this session of the Thylead…

@aporeticelenchus  @leomundstinyblog @m-siecle @pioup-pioup  @somuchbetterthanthat @guineamaina

[badassindistress]

The Thylead (Session 19)

Sweet Citizens of Mytros, will you hear my song

I pray for your indulgence, I won’t be here for long

My name is Mania, I am a fallen star

But now I have been chosen to stop the Titans’ war

The Titans would deceive you, that they are just and fair

But to soothe Sydon's tempest, I had to give up half my hair

So treasure you your kind gods, who would never wish you pain

And distrust those heinous others, who'd use your fear for their gain

So sing a song for Kyrah, pray your thanks to Vallus fair

With the Five and with Thylea, you need never despair

The next morning, Volkan’s weird robot messenger delivers a golden shield. (casts thunderwave as a bonusaction + advantage on initiative and perception)

Thalestris goes to find Makaila, who is jogging. Thalestris informs her that the island can’t wait and she’s going to do something but needs information. There’s not much in the way of cities on Themis, but the last holdout was the sacred temple. It’s probably where she’ll find the not-queens. Thalestris asks if there might be anyone else willing to help. She could ask if Moxenna wants to help. Makaila wouldn’t ask, because she doesn’t know her motives. There’s Temple is on a little island in the bay to the north-east, start there. It’s doubled as a prison in the past, might be where they’re keeping Daran. 13 years ago, it was a narrow space, easy to get guards in and hard to sneak through. It was underground.

Makaila sketches her a quick map of the island. Thalestris doesn’t remember much of Themis. The temple wasn’t a place normal amazons went in and out. Makaila warns her not to try killing them all alone. Thalestris says she’s gonna go ask if the others want to help, but if they say no she’ll figure something else out. Thalestris says that her sister and she are going to be the priestesses of their faith and if another cult has taken over the island it’s her duty to take it back. Makaila tells her to not get herself killed, Thalestris thanks her and says it’ll be fine.

They arrange for Bullbug to ready the ship and go say goodbye to Vallus. Vallus acquired a not-perfectly complete map for them, that shows the relevant Islands. It’s 60 days before the Oath of Peace. I the Peace can’t be renewed, right as the Oath ends would be a good time to strike. Vallus won’t advise playing games with Lutheria unless they’re desperate. Titans are weaker now than they were in the first war, after the Oaths ends their strengths may begin to grow again. She believes striking quickly will be enough. Vallus shows them the 10 islands on the map:

Island of Yonder = library, base for Gaius and the Order of Sydon, might be of use but dangerous because of them.

Golden Heart = The tree and the heart of Thylea, hard to reach, the stars will guide them

Fire Island = lizard people who throw outsiders into volcanos, there’s maybe dragon eggs, try diplomacy, don’t get captured or you’ll get the volcano, they have a bad relationship with the mainland.

Island of the Fates= Vallus doesn’t know which constellation it’s under (one other island is nearly impossible for regular sailors.)

Chimera Island = a small island, home to a rampaging chimera that might have some cool items in it’s hoard

Island of Exiles = for those ostracised, more political crimes than hardened criminals, and also Acastus’ mom was exiled 7 years ago, for Reasons

Scorpion Island = home of centaurs, last known location of the Lotus Witch

Indigo Island = home to a variety of people, recent under attack of a malicious metallic dragon (so not Hexia)

Titan's Folly = Vallus tells them not to go. It is sealed off, which will be obvious should they go there, which they shouldn’t. Phryne asks if that’s a prohibition or advice. It’s both, it’s dangerous for Everyone.

(I think the tenth island is probably the Island of Time, we know this is where the Lotus Witch was exiled from, probably also the island impossible to reach for normal sailors)

The Antikythera can collapse distance between points, it’s 3 days between islands with it. Estor was the last owner of the Antikythera. But the order of Sydon has taken an interest in it, they might find something in the great library of Yonder.

Phryné asks for advice to deal with the Fates. Vallus says bargaining with the Fates is possible but be careful what you agree to, but it can be done. Don’t know how advisable it is to fight them, but it may come to that.

Mania has arranged for all the bards to gather at the Academy and present their songs praising Thylea, the Five and the Chosen Ones. Falana, the popular bard from the Games, brought all her fans and Pancras the Oread came along with all his friends too. Laos has a ballad-like epic, Falana leads her screaming fangirls in a rowdy tavern song. Mania picks a lesser known bard with a sweet song. She makes her promise to guard the harp with her life, to only use it to protect the people of Mytros and to only release it to the Kyrah, Vallus or Mania (and the Chosen, with proof from Mania that it’s really them and not an imposter). Before she hands it over, she promises to show them how it’s done. At her sign, Iliana turns invisible carrying a rope, which she quickly ties around Mania’s ankle. In the rain, kept dry by her new amulet of the desert, Mania starts to glow, levitates herself and sings her song to the people of Mytros. When the last note rings out, she disperses the storms and gentle floats down to the applause of the crowds. Some of them have even gone to their knees in prayer.

On the ship, Thalestris goes to talk to Azelma to apologise for yesterday. It’s nothing to do with Azelma or her family. Azelma says she’s just too used to people assuming things about her. Azelma says she doesn’t trust her grandmother either, but the Oracle gave the necklace to her and she thinks they are the key to something. Thalestris says she thought they were almost friends after the shopping and hopes it didn’t ruin. Azelma says they are friends and they’re going to save the world together. Thalestris says it doesn’t have to be just for that. Thalestris says she’s fun, Azelma says it’s cool when she turns into animals. Thalestris asks if she thinks the group would help her liberate the Amazons and kill the False Queens, it’ll only take a minute probably. Azelma says that Kallis would want them to, so Mania would be into it and the rest would be probably. Also if it’s important for Thalestris. She says they don’t know her, but Azelma says they’ll have time to get to know Phryne is super good, Cleophe is super moral, Mania is… super into promises she made to Kallis… Thalestris says Iliana is her best friend, she’ll help. “If the others say no, would you help me anyway?” Azelma says yes. They’re gonna try on their pretty new outfits.

Thalestris asks them all to help her free Daran and depose the fake queens. They agree to do it, but can’t quite agree on a strategy. Half of them want to try and gain allies on the island first. Mania says Amazons are boring which Thalestris thinks is Mania disagreeing with the plan. Thalestris tries to get them all to agree on not sabotaging the mission by being rude to the reigning powers of Themis, this also doesn’t go very well. {I do not remember who said what here, please fill in if vital things were mentioned here}. They agree on keeping the ship some distance away from port/a smaller island and approaching stealthily with a tender and trying to free Daran first. Then they get interrupted by a sound from belowdecks. Three merrow are trying to bore holes in the ship.

Merrow fight: Phryne with her new shining golden shield, casts a thunderwave at the merrows scratching at the hull. It pushes one of the merrow away from the ship. A merrow takes out a harpoon and starts drilling a hole in the hull, the ship takes damage. Mania Commands it to Flee. Iliana chromatic orb poisons the last one. Thalestris summons 4 reef sharks and gives Iliana a sprig of mistletoe that gives her heroism. Iliana forgot to Mage armour and gets hit by a harpoon. Phryné summons spirit guardian shepherd’s crooks to hit them on the head. Iliana kills one with poison, Mania tells another one to flee as Phryné’s crooks and Thalestris’ sharks attack it. Azelma crisps one (and a reef shark) of them with lightning.

Iliana and Thalestris are hyping each other up while they wait for the Merrow to return. It throws a harpoon to the boat, one of the reef sharks throws itself on the harpoon so the boat is safe. The merrow flees. The sharks pursue and kill it.

Thalestris uses druidcraft to foretell tomorrows weather. It’s going to be light wind and no rain. They elect a sailor to repair the boat with the first repair kit and Mania’s Inspiring flirting while he works. At night, Spectral forms start to appear, but not the big battle and no Estor either. Cleophe’s Divine Sense find no unaccounted for Undead either.

They set up a watch. The next morning, Iliana has learned Fill the Seas and Detect Fish. She sits up on the front of the boat and finds some Fish to take notes and so Thalestris can talk to them. She spots a well-camouflaged octopus. One of the sailors catches a few sardines with her help. Between the fish and the filled sails, Iliana is an immediate favourite with the crew. They should reach Themis early the next morning.

In the captain’s cabin they find Estor’s journal: early parts are records of battles in a victorious tone, rivalries with his brother Telemok. There’s a turning point, where it starts to get kind of rambly and he seems to become obsessed with all the dragons disappearing (around the time he seems to have had a bad breakup with his dragon Arcania) and him thinking they turned on them (they disappeared), this is where he starts thinking about Lutheria appearing in his dreams and promising him immortality if he joins her side. Last entry concerns the journey to Phraxis, Estor’s obsession with the idea that they were abandoned and that this was all a trap. There’s mentions of Kallis and other dragonlords, Kallis was the only one of the Dragonlords still with a dragon left. (Arcania didn’t approve of him killing all the Gygans, that’s why she broke her oath to him. The dragons of Adonis, Rizon and Telemok didn’t disappear when Arcania fought with Estor, they disappeared months later. Right before the assault on Phraxis.)

In addition to Balmytria and Hexia, the dragons who disappeared are Estor's Oathsworn Arkania, Rizon's Oathsworn Sybolkorax, Adonis' Oathsworn Raspytrion, and Tekamok's Oathsworn Tysophalle

Mania takes notes on the battle descriptions for future ballad purposes. Cleophe’s dragonegg is now getting hot to the touch. They rest, Iliana and Cleophe are on the first watch. They see a weird distortion in the air like the gasoline in water effect. A little rift in space appears, some weird clockwork creatures tumble out and fall out of the ship. They keep marching and tumble off the ship again. Iliana magehands one back. It flails with weird little arms and legs. The yellow light tries to encompass the line of creatures. It almost creates a little bubble they’re pushing against. They’re little spears and cubes and triangles. Iliana drags one out, the bubble makes the creatures pop out of existence as the yellow rift closes. It looks at Iliana quizzically with uncanny mechanical eyes. Iliana shoves it in the bag so the light can’t find it. The rest disappeared out of existence with the light. The effect looked like the effect in Cleophe’s house and around Iliana’s resurrection.

And that’s all for this session of the Thylead!

 @aporeticelenchus  @leomundstinyblog @m-siecle @pioup-pioup  @somuchbetterthanthat @guineamaina

[badassindistress]

Thylead Session 15

Ode to the Faithful:

The patient silver moon looks down each night

Searching for those daylight hid from her eyes

Love enduring even when hidden from sight

Only your virtue reaches higher highs

 It is your faithfulness that I admire

Your moral strength, deeper than I can tell

Your enviable might and religious fire

And your biceps please the eye as well ;)

At the end of breakfast, Cleophe tells Vallus that they found a dragonegg in Balmytria’s tomb and that the tomb was empty. Vallus says that they never recovered Balmytria’s body, she was lost in battle. She’s concerned what might be doen tother fody if- and she cuts herself of, wha’t sdone is done. Vallus asks if the egg is alive, Cleophe says her pseudodragon used her magic to revive it. Vallus looks confused and says with a faint sens of awe that her mother clearly watches over Cleophe, she is grateful for her blessing. Thanks her for confiding in her, if she’s willing to let her look at it she can add her wisdom. Mania catches Cleophé at the door, says that she listened to Cleophe last night and that it is unfair she only sings about Kallis. She gives Cleophe a poem inspired by Kyrah’s style and dances off.

Kallis finds Makaila and assures her in the cold light of day that she meant everything she said yesterday. The offer‘s open to fight a ghost boat (sadly they forgot to actually pick her up). On the way out, Kallis pulls Mania aside to ask if she’s mad at her. Mania explains that her songs aren’t all about Kallis, but also the past lovers she left behind. Kallis says she doesn’t need a reminder she left everyone. Mania tells Kallis that it’s okay if she has to leave to be Queen of the Amazon’s, that that’s different than being stuck in a damp cave somewhere where Mania wouldn’t be allowed to love her.

Phryné and Iliana go to the Academy to get help turning the monster parts into potions. Professor Alcmene is willing to help them, but she does expect Iliana to do the heavy lifting for this to count as independent study. Next time she wants to miss class she ought to ask the Oracle for a note. Phryné suggests taking some homework for the road. Alcmene sets up the process for the skull and basilisk eyeballs. Iliana shows her the inkbottle ooze, the Professor says it has an aggressive personality but that she could renew the enchantment to turn it into a library guardian or assistant. She starts that process too. Iliana gets reminded that if she sees 2 of her peers she has to remind them to turn in an assignment on paradoxes Iliana tries to get out of it with the prophecy, but no luck. Phryné  asks if Iliana behaves well in class. Alcmene kindly does not sell Iliana out to her sister and says Iliana has always been a very talented girl. The silent implication is that Iliana will do her assignments in record time. Phryné is incredibly proud and happy of her sister.

Kallis and Mania stroll around the bard campus sharing stories of Mania’s student days until they find a young man with a lyre. Parius is very surprised to see Mania, she tells him she’s been travelling with the Chosen Ones and makes him tell her the rumours about them. The story is they’ve angered Sydon, Mania turns it into Versi angering Sydon. Parius sings a song about Versi in the First War, the daughter of Sydon who turned to protect mortals. Mania says they’re going to soothe the storms and warns him to prepare for a party. She proposes a contest for all bards, the person who writes the most beautiful and full of praise song for the 5 Gods and Chosen Ones and their victory and sacrifice will get to try Mania’s Harp First. He promises to tell all their friends about it. Mania gives him notes on what he should share as Kallis edges away as her praises are bandied about. Mania also cheerfully includes the titbit that the rumoured ghost who haunted the Hall of the Dragonlords is part of the Chosen Ones.

Azelma tells Cleophe not to be mad, but she asked an acquaintance what happened to her family.  She asks Cleophe to look dangerous and imposing and settle in to wait for Laos. When he sidles over he tells them nobody has lived in that house for centuries and that it’s haunted. There’s bits of singing and if you go inside you lose track of time and forget who you are. He gives them a pewter necklace with a dragon figurine that Cleophē recognises as a piece of costume jewellery from one of her sisters.

There’s a little vial inside. Azelma gives him a coin, Laos wheedles until Cleophe gives him a gold. Cleophe thanks Azelma, who awkwardly says she wanted to do something nice. They go and see the house. Azelma boasts of stealing from the noble district, Cleophe is uncomfortable because those are her neighbours. The house seems eerily preserved in time, it feels like something in the house is trying to push them back, but they can enter. Azelma hears fragments of conversation, sees shimmering light, oilslick and with unsettling haze like they saw on resurrected Iliana. Clearly some kind of magic. They hear the voices of the same people at different ages, there’s something weird here with time. Azelma proposes Cleophe’s family never left the house, that they are trapped here. Cleophe recognises the voices as some of her family. Azelma’s bracelet and Cleophe’s gauntlet start to rust before their eyes. Azelma finds a portrait in the hall where none of the faces can be made out. The ground around her is going cold, warmth seeping out of her.  Cleophe sees one of her sisters, Cleoné at 5 years old, standing in front of her for a second. She gives a dazzling smile and hugs Cleophe’s knees before she fades (advantage against next roll of being frightened).

Back assembled at the Palace, Mania announces she has no revenge quest against Estor she just let her emotions run away with her since trees are very important to her. Iliana brings up the rumour that Mania once seduced a tree, Mania is offended, that she would need to seduce trees. She explains that Andromache the drysad was the nymph who found her when she was born and her and Thylea were the first people she loved.

They set off in search of the boat. At the path along the river Lethe the cliffs are actively moving closer together. Mania uses Kentimane’s Stone Hands to push the walls away from each other to give them a little more time. What comes out are not the normal earthen hands, this is a pair of the massive column like hands that litter the countryside. Cleophe and Iliana run through easily but Azelma falters. Kallis reaches the end but goes back to help Azelma out. They start to get banged up. It takes her longer, but Mania runs through with no trouble, Phryne gets pulled along by Basil and Azelma and Kallis make it out together. Mania prays to Kentimane and Thylea to thank them for saving them, but it doesn’t calm her (nat 1)

They find a massive waterfall that makes no noise. Deianeira finds them the path on the map, it seems flooded but she does spot a ship. They wade through the water and suddenly Mania gets polymorphed into an owl, still glowing. Iliana thinks there’s just something weird about eh water, not a spellcaster. Mania starts happily circling around above them. It’s probably temporary. They come to a small lake with still water and a ship with black sails and the prow in dragonform. Kallis recognises the Ultros.

The newly formed flying squad goes in very unstealthily. Mania feels a chill in the air and hears whispers and singing. Something cold brushes against her, a spectral hand trying to grab her but unable to catch hold. Kallis wades to the sip when they do not come back. Azelma follows her but start to turn into water, Cleophe tries to carry her out but she starts to dissolve in her arms. Cleophe Levitates her above the water and not a drop spills. Afrer a minute or so she starts to reform with no damage done. Cleophe tells Kallis to go first, towards the raucous singing on the deck. The figure at the deck raises up a hand and flies at Kallis and Kallis gets possessed. She returns to “her post”. Mania flies down to sit on her shoulder and screech in her ear, Kallis immediately beats her off with her chakram. Mania falls to the deck a nymph again. Kallis starts singing some bawdy off-key songs. Iliana shouts you can’t just posses people, they came here for a conversation so the ghost better get out and talk. Kallis still has all her senses, she’s just not in control of her body. She tries to talk to the pilot in her mind, this was a dwarf man named Davos. Davos does not listen to her request to get the fuck out of her head. Mania tries to tell him Kallis was meant to fly a dragon, not a ship, but fails to get through to him. Kallis starts to tap her foot to the singing. A dragon ghost flies over the boat, starts to breathe out a line of cold. Mania falls to the floor unconscious for the first time. Cleophe lays on hands but she is still frightened. The dragon alights next to Estor Arkelander’s ghost. Kallis asks to talk to him and fights her way free. There is a ghost battle going on. Kallis yells to Mania she’s really sorry and they’ll talk about that later and runs to stand beside Estor Arkelander. The other ghosts attack her, but she deflects with her bracer. She still feels some of the life drain out of her. She recognises Estor’s three trusted lieutenants turning against him. Estor recognises Kallis and asks if she’s finally come to haunt him. Kallis replies she just loves to see him get his ass kicked. He smiles and tell her she’ll be disappointed. He asks if she’s come to help him be overthrown, she says she decided to stand with him this time. He says it’s a bit late for that.

The fight is between the ghosts of the three lieutenants, Metron, Scathos and Davon, and the crew versus Estor, the dragon and now Kallis. Kallis and Estor banter as they take down a spectre of a crewman together. Phryné calls on an aura of life to heal her friends and Azelma runs in to hurl fireballs at ghosts, but they don’t hurt them like they hurt the living. Ghost attack Kallis and she shouts at Estor not to laugh as she sways on her feet, barely standing. Cleophe throws her lightning javelin through three ghosts and the dragon strikes at the dragons around her. The ghost blows a horn and 2 more spectres appear on deck. Kallis tells Estor this must have been such an annoying day to relive as Scathos tries to strangle him. Davos pulls off the skin on his face, scaring 10 years off Azelma’s life. She’s 29 now, only slightly taller and with longer hair and a knee that creaks sometimes.

Iliana yells at them to stop the fighting or she’ll crash the boat, but she didn’t speak loud enough and nobody hears her. Estor gives Kallis 10hp with a touch, tells her this is a very strange day and kills another spectre.

Phryné takes her handcarved wooden symbol and closes her eyes, frighteningly furious. She feels as if there’s a comforting hand on her shoulder and power washes through her. The ghost and spectres flee from her in fear. Only one lieutenant and a spectre remains, the others hurl themselves off the boat to get away from her. Even the Dragon fears her, but since they seem to be on the same side Cleophe hits it to knock the fear out of it, yelling why she does it. Estor succeeds, but Kallis makes fun of him being afraid of the cleric anyway. The last spectre tries to steal Cleophe’s lifeforce but estor chokes the life out of it and throw it overboard. Scathos gets killed by Phryne’s crossbow and Azelma’s fireball sailing through Estor and Estor finally ripping him apart. The dragon fades back into the figurehead of the ship.

Estor turns to Kallis and asks her what brings her to his ship. Kallis says they need to borrow it. Estor expected that, should General Kallistate come back, he would have expected the reason to e be vengeance. Kallis asks how he would like to come to sea with them. She explains that they are sailing to finish what the dragonlords started and they need the only ship capable of that. Estor calls that a touch ironic but he won’t explain why, only saying that perhaps she made the good choice and he can’t stand for his. Mania can’t help but call Estor a dryadkiller, he asks if her hands are clean. She says they are. Gregor Hoarath stashed the last treasure of the Dragonlords somewhere and the Nethersea is the only place he hasn’t looked yet. Estor asks if she’s just going to do it again, back to Phraxis, back to getting their asses kicked. He asks who will captain the ship. Mania won’t let Kallis says she’ll captain the ship, afraid that might transfer Estor’s curse to Kallis. Estor wants to feel the seabreeze again, will let them use his ship and he’ll captain it if they’ll find his sword and drive it through Lutheria’s black heart. He promises not to turn on them in the middle of the Ocean.

The crew comes back every night, they’ll need rituals to cleans the ship and a human crew. In sunlight it would be harder for them to appear, they only come at night. The cavern closes him in, but they might sail out. He shakes on it with Kallis. Estor says that at least this is more interesting than what he’s been doing. He sarcastically tells her he can’t wait to see her tomorrow night. He fades into the ship.

Mania goes to the mast and recognises it as dryad’s wood. The figurehead is the same. She sleeps cuddled up against the mast.

Cleophe shows the pendant vial to Iliana who sees it’s a potion of Cat’s Grace (10 minutes advantage on dex checks and less falling danger)

Azelma looks into the mirror, she looks less like a creepy doll. Phryne tells her she looks different. Azelma tells her she is different and also her knees hurt, but she thinks 29 suits her. Phryné is concerned about lived experience and looking older and whether they might reverse this aging. Azelma says she appreciates her worry but she doesn’t think a few more wrinkles will change her life. Cleophe says she lost 10 years of her life, but Azelma does not seem bothered. Cleophe thinks remove curse of greater restoration and possibly dispel magic could reverse this. Phryné could solve is the next day, but Azelma doesn’t want to  so they argue about lifespans of mortals and elves. Phryné is very concerned.

And that’s all for this session of the Thylead!

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