Session 19 (The Pirates of Atlas)

 

"Session 19"
The Pirates of Atlas episode
Episode no.	Episode 19
Original air date	January 21, 2024 (2024-01-21)

"Session 19" is the nineteenth session of the campaign The Pirates of Atlas.

Synopsis

Willem and Krovar the Blind continue their discussion in private by the campfire. Akula and Pravuil notice one of the leonin whispering to an elven archer. They see the expression of the elven grimacing. They overhear the archer inform the leonin that they will take over. Vidro speaks on behalf of the party before the archer. They are welcomed in but reminded that they should respect the customs of the land. They are allowed to remain armed within the city until they enter into the palace walls.

As they make their way through the city, they notice the intricate architecture around the city. One of the most defining features they notice is that the overwhelming race represented the city is elven. They see waterfalls cascading down and birds flying about throughout the city. Durgl fetches for Willem who has finished his talk with Krovar the Blind. Krovar the Blind bids Willem farewell and says they will continue meeting in Atlas. Akula remarks why Willem seems to always have one-on-one meetings with men and never Maren. Akula brings Willem to his arms.

Vidro hears the sound of skittish footsteps near him. He notices a 3-foot archer munching on an apple, making his way towards the party. He introduces himself and says he has never seen a dynamic team as theirs. He offers to give them a tour. Vidro speaks with the archer. The archer explains that the elves and leonin are both native to this particular land, although the elves have been here far longer than the leonin. They live in a mutualistic relationship. He then formally introduces himself as Grimlak and offers to buy them a meal. He has a business proposal and says he notices that based on their clothing, they are into business. He says that great businesses cannot be discussed publicly and should be spoken in private. He suggests they conduct their business in secret. Akula expresses disbelief and thinks he is a thief. Durgl addresses the archer and determines what is the nature of his business. Grimlak tries to defend himself after Akula takes notice that he is not wearing any shoes. He grabs Grimlak and inspects him. Grimlak takes offense and storms off.

Vidro excuses himself as he needs to relieve himself. Durgl questions why Vidro is defecating in the bushes. Akula remarks this is the custom of the elvens. As they wait for Vidro, Durgl starts singing. Akula asks "Jurgl" if she can sing too and she replies she cannot. Durgl's singing is awful today and onlookers start taking notice of his music. Nonetheless, the crowd applauses. The elven guard instructs the music playing to stop. Durgl makes 195 pieces of gold from the onlookers who dropped some money as Durgl inadvertently busked.

The party continues their journey. They eventually start seeing the inner city and take notice of a large vine wrapped around the palace before them. It is located in a large tree. As they make their way into a tunnel which leads into the palace, they see gold-armored guards wielding scimitars, bows, and spears. They count at least ten guards. They speak in Elvish and one of them addresses Vidro, informing them that they must come in unarmed. Akula flexes his muscles before the guards to show that he is unarmed. One of the guard asks Vidro if they need to shackle Akula. Vidro says they do not and implies he is "crazy". One of the guard blows a horn and the vines blocking the entrance unravel, clearing the path for them.

None of them, except Vidro, is able to see the interior well because they lack darkvision. Akula tries, nonetheless, to navigate his way through purely with his bloodscent. Akula tries to feel around the walls surrounding them. He kicks up dust as he does this. They make their way into the center of the tree which they notice is a religious area. Hundreds of elves surround the area in a worshipping stance. The worshippers are under the protection of guards. Vidro senses the arrows pointed towards them. The party sees three important-looking figures at the center of the stage.

Vidro observes the figures. One is a human and the other two are elves. They appear to be priests. One of the elf, being an astral elf, is seated. They are surrounded by attendants. Beneath the palladium upon which they stand, they notice various kinds of races including grungs. Durgl is excited to see his fellow people, as does "Jurgl".

The astral elf then projects his voice. He speaks of a threat coming soon. They received word from scouts that their land has been threatened what they call The Blight. He says they must evacuate from their home and understands that such a decision is no easy one, but that they have no choice. He says that their salvation rests in the stars instead of here. He says that this world should not be a prison for them and that they should seek shelter elsewhere in the cosmos beyond. The reception from the great crowd is temperamental. Some are enthusiastic, others not so much. One of the other priests is then afforded time to speak. She presents her take on the crisis. She says that she has traveled far, ordained by her church, and that her people on the continent are at war. She says that it is her belief that if they stand together in faith, they can solve the Blight and that the Blight is weary of several things, including holy fire and holy light. She says she cannot compel people to convert to her faith, she suggests that her faith still welcomes all and offers a solution to those who are fearful. She says they should band together and take down the faith as elves and humans. While she speaks, Akula sneaks onto the stage and is mistaken for one of the speakers. He is next. She then sits down. The moderator, a furball, then says there is a third guest to speak. Akula is then introduced. Durgl beats the drums. Akula starts his speech and introduces himself to everyone as Akula's Friends and says they are open to all. His speech is brief and it ends. The moderator says if that is all Akula has to say. The moderator then recognizes that Akula has brought Maka'toa to them, referencing his weapons. They say that he brought to them a very sacred item. The moderator says the wielder of Maka'toa is a powerful warrior foretold who will champion for their cause. Akula is flattered but then asks if they have a prisoner among them, a young elven woman. Durgl says they know of the spirit forest and told them of their trouble with one of the other city's druid. Willem pulls Akula and Vidro aside and says not to reveal Vidro's identity to them. Vidro, horrified at the entire experience, asks for the last rites to be performed on him.

The moderator says this prisoner is part of their home and they are trying to stop her from sacrificing herself. They believe that there is another way. They say with the wielder of Maka'toa here, the Wildlands has spoken to them. The moderator tells Akula they should meet their chieftain who knows the true nature and power of Maka'toa. They said that Maka'toa is given by the gods above to their loyal servant. Akula then introduces his crewmates. The moderator says it appears their fates have been destined. The furball leads them to the chieftain through the tree into another chamber. Before they go off, Durgl shouts out Akula's name and then they hear Grimlak among the crowd, saying that Akula has dirty feet.

The party heads downward through the tree into a larger cave system. It is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. They notice a large wooden warforge in the cave. It takes notice of them and it begins speaking. It tells the furball that it recognizes the party are the outsiders the furball told it about. The warforge scans the party and greets them. It introduces itself as Steve, the tree's caretaker. It says it was designated as such. Vidro asks who made it. It says it was the first one created, as the Prime. It says the first of the warforges were made of wood, and subsequent generations were made of metal. His eyes flicker in different colors and he clutches onto his staff. He says he notices that they are carrying an ancient weapon. It takes notice of Akula's Maka'toa. It says it has three carriers of the Maka'toa. Each one has died. Akula says he will not be the fourth one to die. It then takes notice that Vidro has the bloodline of the Anari and has been "marked". Vidro says he is still unsure what this means. The warforge asks has he not been told. It then notices Durgl has the Golden Ribbit and asks why he will not take it out. The warforge then grabs the Golden Ribbit from Durgl's throat. A lot of mucus surrounds the warforge's branch. It grabs his heart by accident. It remarks that Durgl has a fascinating anatomy, saying he has four hearts. He then pries the Golden Ribbit out of his body and Durgl immediately loses three pounds. The warforge's claws conceal the Golden Ribbit but its light shimmers brightly. The warforge says it is capable of doing this because of its training. It says now that Durgl may choose to consume the Golden Ribbit the proper way or bestow it to someone else. Durgl says he wants to eat it again. Durgl asks how he should eat it right. The warforge says he was supposed to chew on it, and not swallow it. The warforge cautions Durgl though what his purpose is to have the Golden Ribbit. Durgl ponders frankly of the different reasons he wants the Golden Ribbit. One of his reasons is to spread cheer throughout Garganzola. The warforge says that the Golden Ribbit is not of this world and that it must be imbued magical properties as a way to feed Durgl the proper way. It says that whomever feeds Durgl the proper way, they will be connected. The warforge says the Golden Ribbit was created long ago by a female elven bard who created it for her lover to always have a link together. Someone of one's choosing will always be charmed by the Golden Ribbit's music. Willem wonders who is "Ms. Durgl". The warforge then sees through Jurgl, after Willem remarks if Jurgl is Durgl's lady friend, and knows that it is Zosteif, the changeling. The warforge says Durgl must think of someone who may be of romantic or intimate interest. Durgl takes a moment to think about it.

Durgl remembers the person he remembers quite fondly. It is London Tipton, the laser-beam shooting girl he met back in Elytra. The warforge then prepares the binding between Durgl with Tipton in the Golden Ribbit by inscribing her name on it. The warforge says that Tipton will be able to find her way to Durgl. The warforge pulls out its records of names. Two of the names they take notice is "Akula" and "Cal". They wonder how it has Akula's name and the warforge says druids have mystical ways of knowing each other on another level. The warforge says that as a druid, it has mystical sense and can look into people. Vidro asks if the warforge can look into his life and offer answers about his early life. Vidro explains how he grew up believing the Coven were his family.

The warforge then turns its attention to Willem and tells him to be careful with his powers of souls. It says druids do not take kindly of this power. Willem says there is only one druid's opinion he cares about and she is currently angry at him. The warforge then informs them all that it is the chieftain they seek: Chief Steve. It then says it will make a purification ritual for Vidro but says it has some parting words for the rest of the crews. It then extends its vines and grabs some stalactites. Vidro is instructed to open his mouth as Chief Steve holds one of the spikes over his tongue. A blue liquid then drips into his tongue. Durgl questions the procedure throughout the process. After a minute, the warforge says Vidro has taken enough fluids and says that he will start to fall asleep. Vidro then drifts into sleep. He then falls unconscious. He begins to dream.

The warforge then says Vidro will need an hour. It says it will prepare a feast for the rest of the crew. Akula says he will cook instead. The warforge says it does not eat as it is a warforge without a mouth. Nonetheless, Akula knows he can provide and creates something Chief Steve can absorb as nourishment. Akula makes a bomb with various oils, topped with chili.

Featured characters

Player characters

• Akula
• Anradeem Pravuil
• Durgl
• Jué Zosteif
• Ryul Vidro
• Maren
• Willem