Date At Start Of Game: 05/20/206

[Author’s Note: This session log is for the 2nd session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred.]

The Journey To The Great Tree

After the encounter with the strange shadow praying mantis the party heads into the Azure Expanse towards their destination. Po seems to be the best outdoorsman and is leading the way. Bishop guides the group using his vision of the path. After a day of travel night falls and the group sets up camp under a rock outcropping. They setup three watches. The middle watch is Kanga and Bilby. During their watch Bilby and Kanga hear something moving in the brush. Bilby turns on his sonar and scans the area. He detects a dog like form in the brush and a small humanoid figure sneaking up to the side of the outcropping. Bilby silently swoops down and wakes up Oren. Kanga plays possum and waits for the creature in the brush to close then he draws his box and tells it to come out in a loud voice. All of the PC except Cillian wake up. Out of the brush comes an old wolf who is limping on one front leg. While this is happening the humanoid figure tries to sneak up. Bilby wakes Cillian and the two of them sneak towards the approaching humanoid. Oren tells the person to appear of the wolf gets it. Bilby traps the humanoid as he goes for a pack. He is very sneaky! The humanoid is a young Raccoon Kin named Perry. He says that the wolf is his friend Long Tooth. Perry claims that they are very hungry so they followed the PC in an attempt to steal some food. With that the PC feed Perry and his companion. Po befriends the wolf and heals him. Perry tells the PC that they are heading towards an area of the wood known as Knotty Pines. Knotty Pines is supposed to be haunted according to the locals. Several local woodsman have entered the area never to be seen again. Supposedly the tree are very old and do not like to be waken?even the slightest noise can anger them.

Meeting Gray Pine

The next morning the PC head into the area known as Knotty Pine. Perry says he will not enter the area and stays behind. The area is a small box canyon that is densely populated with bristlecone pine trees. These trees have twisted branches with tufts of needles at the end of the branches. The trees are so entwined that in many places one tree is growing into the next. Po says that the growth of the trees is not natural. The entire canyon is also densely shrouded in fog giving the area a mysterious and eerie feeling.

After traversing through the thick trees and dense fog the PC reach a small clearing with a rocky mound. On the top of the mound is a doe with her hoof caught in the rocks. Circling the doe are three wolves who are salivating with the thought of an easy kill. After a moment of hesitation one of the wolves nips at the hind quarters of the doe. With that Oren balls up the doe. Po shoots his arrow at one of the wolves. Kanga then pins another to the ground by shooting an arrow through his tail. Bishop casts his detect and learns that the wolves are under a subtle control enchantment. He then tells the PC that this was obviously a test and asks why they helped the doe.
After the encounter the PC find a large clearing with a huge bristlecone pine tree in the center. Several of the PC saw this tree in their visions and know this is the target of the calling. As the PC approach they hear a voice on the wind, ?My name is Gray Pine?I am glad you have heard my lament laden cries and come.? He then asks the PC to introduce themselves. After each introduction he thanks the PC for coming. He also asks the ?spirit walker? to appear and Nessa shows up. He greets Nessa as well.

At this point Gray Pine speaks in length with the PC. He tells them that land is in a tenuous state. The Spirit War has lead to many beings being killed. Many of these beings had spirits of great power. Normally these spirits would be reborn in the form of new life?a blade of grass, a new baby, etc but forces of evil have capitalized on the situation and have trapped these spirits before they can be reborn. Sometimes the spirits are simply stuck, like Nessa, but for many other these spirits have been captured for their power. This is having a far reaching effect on the land. Gray Pine explains that the very fabric that make up the Pangaea is tearing and unless it stops it could mean the destruction of the land.

To prevent further damage powerful spirits of the land have called for avatars to aid them. The PC are his avatars. Gray Pine then tells the PC that there are other groups and possible other being that may answer his call at a later time. Bishop then asks how they can tell others are from him. With that Gray Pine tells the PC to take one of his highest branches. He explains that it will show them sources of spiritual disruption to the land that must be addressed. Gray Pine explains that he will tell any new recruits to ask about the branch.

As the party departs he tells them to always act noble. Wanton death and destruction could aid those that they are trying to stop. Po uses the ?stick? and it directs the group back to Shatter’s Peak, a nearby lumber town village?

Epic Tale #2 – Nights Pawns – Chapter #1

After two days trekking through the Azure Expanse the PC reach Shatter’s Peak. It is a small town fueled by a lumber trade. The PC are wet and tired so they head towards a local tavern known as the Lucky Strike. The sign is a rock painted yellow. When they enter they meet the proprietors, the hearty Ape Kin Lomas Bathgate and his lovely Ape Kin wife Macy Bathgate. They are given warm mead and venison. Oren tells stories of his time in the war which seem to get the attention of many locals. As the local start to head home Lomas comes over and speaks of the war with Oren. Lomas was a sergeant in a different mercenary regiment. During that conversation the door opens and a dripping wet Squirrel Kin dressed in a green vest and spectacles enters the tavern. He hurriedly walks over to Macy, ?Someone has broken into my house?please come?please!? With that Lomas grabs an axe handle and heads with several of the PC to the Squirrel Kin, Kai’s, small house. The door to the house is open and the place appears to have been searched. The PC find a silver inkwell sitting in the open. This makes them believe that money was not the target. Eventually the PC find that a particular map is missing. According to Kai two strangers brought in the map. He paid them for the map. It depicted a local keep that was used in the Spirit War. The locals call it simply the Forest Keep. It was destroyed early in the Sprit War and is no longer in use. Bilby finds tracks nearby that appear to be from Perry and Long Tooth. After searching the roof of Kai’s house he finds disturbed pine needles. It appears that Perry took to the roof to avoid being detected by tracks.

With that the PC ask about Perry’s house. Lomas brings them to the small shack but before opening the door he sighs. He then bangs on the door asking for someone named Sal. The door opens to an adult Raccoon Kin who reeks of whiskey. Lomas asks for Perry and Sal says that his good for nothing son is not at home then slams the door. Lomas then apologizes as Sal is not one of their more ?pleasant residents?.

Investigating The Forest Keep

The PC track Perry to the wood towards the Forest Keep. The keep is a stone walled structure with one stone building and a wooden catwalk around the inside. The gates are partially open. In the center of the keep courtyard are several ruffians. There leader appears to be a Vulture Kin. Bilby and Cillian sneak closer. When they get closer they see Perry tied up behind one of the logs the men have setup around the campfire. They also hear the men talking about some money they have recently come into. Eventually the Vulture Kin asks the men what they should do with the Raccoon boy. They grumble so the bandit leader tells one of his men to throw him into the cellar. The man moves to a grate in the floor, opens it, and drops down Perry. Cillian looks into the cellar and can see Perry over some type of well. Long Tooth is bleeding nearby?he is likely dead. With that the PC decide what course of action should be taken?

Date At End Of Game: 05/24/206

I just finished posting the character sheets from my latest campaign on the Spirit Storm site. Here is a link to updated page. Enjoy!

Date At Start Of Game: 05/18/206

[Author’s Note: This session log is for the 1st session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred. This adventure starts with small scenes conducted with each character.]

Epic Tale #1 – The Calling – Chapter #1

Oren

Oren takes a gulp from his warm mead as he sits in a tavern with his current ward, Bishop. His melancholy spirit is lessened when an old army buddy Sandoval, a Horse Kin, shows up. Sandoval explains that he and his sick Tiger Kin friend are doing guard work for a local merchant. Sandoval is actually in charge of the security for the merchant. As the night wear on Sandoval and his Tiger Kin friend pass out then stagger off to their rooms. The bartender brings one more round for Oren. As he takes a sip he feels drowsy?is his mead drugged!?! Out of the corner of his eye he see a thin figure in a black cloak quickly leaving. As Oren tries to stand he slumps to the table?his mind spins?his visions crystallize into ice covered rocky hills?a clearing near a muddy road?a wolf’s head?then a dark pine tree. When his hallucinations starts to clear Oren hears a voice, ?Oren your destiny is as a leader of men that matter.? He comes too with Bishop shaking his shoulder?something is wrong.

Bishop

After spending a fulfilling day in Bluffside speaking with prospectors about the spiritual focal points of gemstones Bishop relaxes in a local tavern with his new travelling companion, Oren. When his first set of stories end a young Ram Kin boy approaches. He sheepishly asks if Bishop has seen a rock like the one that he is holding. The boy claims the rock is magical. Humoring the lad the Dolphin Kin runs a detect spell. To his surprise the rock appears to be affected by a powerful spell that has cleansed nearly all spiritual remains from the stone?Nombrian magic. Bishop orders the boy to show him where he found the stone. Grabbing his things Bishop goes over to Oren’s table and attempts to shake him out of his current drunken state. The three go to a small side passage where they see a black circle full of stones like the one the boy showed Bishop. It appears that a powerful transportation spell has gone off in the area not more than an hour ago. The ghostly spirit of Nessa appears in this air startling Oren and the boy. After talking for a bit she tells Bishop to try a detect on the side of the passage near the black mark. When he does this a vision reaches out to an old pine tree several days away from his current location. When Bishop carefully reaches out to touch the side wall he is sucked forward and shot down the mountain side! Quickly Oren wraps up Bishop as the two go rolling down the side of the mountain. When Oren releases the grip the two decide that their path has been set.

Bilby

The work in New Delta completed successfully so Bilby decides to head north towards a smaller town known as Raftport. After flying for several miles he sets down to give his wings a rest. As he walks down the cold muddy path a light rain starts to fall. Along the side of the road is a small campfire. A lone figure sits at the fire warming his hands. Bilby creeps up then decides to show himself. The man is at first alerted then accepts the small Bat Kin. After he gets closer Bilby can see that the man is an old Fox Kin. After some time eating with the old man he asks if he can tell Bilby his fortune. When Bilby agrees he pulls out a small pouch of bones with scorched markings. He shakes them and eyes Bilby. After they fall he examines them and says, ?Bilby?the redemption you seek will not come easily. It will take time and many trials. Soon the significance of those trials will increase dramatically. You must be ready for these trials as it will take all of your guile to survive them. Listen to the wind?it will guide you.? With that the Fox Kin stands, raises his arms, then turns to mist and vanishes into the forest! When Bilby closes his eyes he hears the wind bringing a message?come.

Kanga

With a yawn Kanga wakes from his restless sleep. The icy winds of the Azure Expanse are not the inviting desert breezes of his homeland. As he gets up to look for a more protected place to sleep he notices that the rest of the caravan is not sleeping well either. Grabbing his blanket Kanga finds a warmer spot in a small outcropping of rocks. As his head hits his pillow Kanga feels a tap on his shoulder. Opening one eye he sees a Turtle Kin covered in mud up to his knees with a cane size wooden stick that to him is a staff. In a monotone voice he says, ?I’m sorry I woke you, I thought you were the Chaos Warrior or maybe a wind avatar but your are not?you are not. I’m not normally wrong about these thing?very strange?very strange.? Kanga sits up as the strange little Kin starts to walk away over a nearby rise, ?You are being called now?listen to the winds?the winds.? As Kanga falls asleep he hears a deep voice in his dreams, ?Come now?forces are moving??

Cillian

Byron Billingson IS rich! After stalking out the wealthy merchant’s mansion for a couple days and learning the routine of his guards Cillian was able to scale the gates and break into his upstairs study. The room is ornately decorated with a large desk, plush purple couches, paintings of stuffy noblemen, and bookshelves. After quietly closing the balcony door into the room the young thief enters to investigate in more detail. What immediately catches his attention is a small stone pedestal with a glass dome. Inside the glass dome is a small piece of what appears to be large grained wood on a silver chain. Cillian carefully examines the pedestal using his vision and talents. His discovers a wire leading from one side of the class dome to a wire that goes to the first floor. Carefully he lifts the far edge of the glass and pulls out the necklace. Smirking Cillian searches the desk then heads back out of the house and over the wall. In a small alley he examines the necklace in more detail. When he touches it he is thrown against the wall. When Cillian comes to he is not in the alley! He is in a forested glen that is blanketed in a thick fog. Along the ground are very dense brambles and jagged stones. The only way through the brambles is a very small deer trail. As Cillian creeps forward he spots a large tangled pine tree. In the wind he hears his name being softly called, ?Cillian?come?? He then awakens in the alley. At the end of the street Cillian hears guards and decides he might as well answer this call. Each night along the journey his dreams show the same visions…and the call.

Po

The Albion army had many men at the Battle of Kaldonia. Po feels like he has tracked down many of them but so far they do not recall seeing his wife and child or will not speak with him about it at all. On this last occasion Po was nearly killed trying to get away from a savage Lion Kin soldier and his companions. Deciding it was best to leave town Po is now winging his way north towards a small lumber town called Shatter’s Peak. While flying through the trees he spots some herbs that are good for smoking and decides to take a break. Po picks some of the leaves carefully then starts a small fire to dry them out. The fumes are potent but make his mind think of other things?as he drifts off the smoke from the tiny campfire starts to grow. Falling back Po watches the smoke dance before him. From the smoke and flames a female Raven Kin hand emerges. She drops to one knee by his side and places her hand on Po’s arm, it is his wife, May. As Po sits up and starts to apologize she stands and turns her back to him, ?I have something important to tell you. Please let me finish as my time here is short.? She turns with tears in her eyes, ?You must stop looking for me and Ka. You must take up the mantle of your father and turn your attention to the land instead of yourself. You have the blood of a shaman and should start acting like one. The land is sick and needs your help.? She will close with a solemn statement, ?Follow the wind that whistles through the smoke. Concentrate on it and let it guide you. It will not offer you the closure you seek but it will offer you direction.? With that she disappears into the flames. Understanding the meaning of the her departure Po sobs quietly then packs his things then follows the wind?

Travelling Through The Azure Expanse

At this point the PC heads towards their ?callings?. These visions lead them along a road just north of Shatter’s Peak, a small lumber town. The road follows a fast moving river known as White Cap River. As they come to the fated location Bishop and Oren meet up with Kanga. Kanga seems low key and decides to travel with the strangers for a while. Near dusk the PC enter a clearing that a couple of the characters recognize from their calling.. On the other side of the clearing the see Cillian. Flying quietly above Cillian is the Bat Kin, Bilby. Over the party of three is Po. As the groups on the ground starts to talk Cillian and Bilby land in nearby trees. When Bilby reaches out with his sonar he is picked up by Bishop. This prompts Bishop to cast his detection spell towards the woods. Oren asks Bishop what he is doing but Bishop is not forthcoming. When Kanga interrupts the spell, Oren chastises Bishop for acting without letting him know why he is casting a spell and possibly alarming the man on the other side of the clearing. Eventually all of the PC come out of hiding and talk for a while. They soon realize that they have all been called to this location by some strange force. Bishop has seen the way through the woods and starts to lead the PC across the clearing following Po’s direction. Po seems to be the most proficient guide. As the PC start to cross the clearing several shadowy butterflies rise from the grass and form into shadowy Praying Mantis Kin! These creatures immediately attack. Kanga starts firing his bow. When he hits one a yellow liquid sprays out the back of the creature. This vitae quickly transforms itself into shadowy butterflies. Bishop takes a good hit but quickly recovers and traps one of the mantis in his entangle spell. Bilby leads one of the creatures to the rocks where he surprises it with a deadly strike from the shadows. Po takes to the air and throws curses. Oren stands his ground pounding at the Praying Mantis Kin when then get close. Cillian goes into HTH combat with one of the creature. Although the creatures move quickly the PC are able to dispatch them without too much trouble. When the combat ends Bishop casts his detect spell and speaks with one of the creatures. The spirit from the creature is not strong but says that they must wait then attack. He also detects that the spirit is part of a summoning spell. When Bishop realizes that the creature has nothing to say he casts a spell on it to banish it. When the creatures are gone the PC carefully approach the deep woods?

Date At End Of Game: 05/20/206