Velborough O's

Velborough Woes
Date	05/03/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	"Easy"
Player Characters	Illiam Elro, Shreex, Ishi, Sutton, Raijin, Benny Shadetree
Rewards	2x Elixr of Life, 3x Potion of Healing, Prayer Beads, Scroll of Heal, Incomplete Ritual of Fey Abeyance, 325xp
Result	Survived! Barely!
Author	Illiam

Illiam's perspective on The Velborough Sessions.

Part 1: Velborough Woes

After a day's travel, we approached the settlement of Velborough and spoke to Liandra about the temple of Gorum in her dimly lit manor. We were served *white* wine, Apocalypse Wine it's called. Very expensive, 13 plat a bottle.

More towards the mission, Gorum's temple was rumored to be overrun with wild beasts. Getting through that was going to be annoying if we want to keep the artifacts intact. AND OF COURSE, we stumble upon a UNIBUNNY!!! I say of course, I never expected to see a bunny trying to tie a bell to an urn. It didn't take long for us to figure out why, once Benny got a bell spat back in his face and some animals started to get mighty mad about it.

For some reason, it worked when he made choo-choo noises at the urn. It was kind of cute.

The animals were behaving strangely through the whole time, sometimes they were rabid and other times they were just out of their heads...

Except a single snake, that didn't cast a shadow, and turned out to be some sorta evil toothy creature. It smirked at me. We had a feeling that it wasn't most of those creatures faults, though... So we knocked 'em out as best we could. It was goddamn difficult, even AFTER Benny opened the mud pit. We stopped being so nice when they started knocking us dead left and right!!!

Eventually we were able to complete the ritual, barring a few teeth. Whoever said this mission was simple on the flyers must've been out of their mind!

Velborough Lows
Date	05/06/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Hard
Player Characters	Raijin, Benny Shadetree, Zeal, Kali, Ishi, Illiam Elro, Tuli Mrysky
Rewards	20gp, 225xp
Result	Success..? We fixed the drainage issue, that's for sure.
Author	Illiam

Part 2: Velborough Lows

A tall, svelte man named Elder Ramiel had commissioned us to clean out some drainage systems. It was simple work, throw muck and toss it out, figure out the source.

Turns out, there were a LOT of issues. One of which, being a dam downstream. Another being that there wasn't an animal around here for a good bit. Another being some purple worms. A bow-tied worm was talking some PARTICULAR bullshit against Zeal, who proceeded to beat it with a shovel before it was quickly jarred. Then the voice was transferred to a squirrel? What in the fresh Hells is going on in this place?

First, a Cold Iron Bell at the manor, and now this... These folks around here know more than they're leading on, and I don't like it one bit. Anyhow, Benny said the squirrel told him about another Druid that was trapped in a sink hole! AWFUL stuff! Of course, we jumped to help.

Quite literally, into some VERY deep water under the sinkhole. However, on land, were a LOT more of those gross mage eater worms! I'm glad I noticed that the water dissolved those little bastards. And Ishi made *quite* the splash, easily taking out the most at once. Though, we quickly realized that the poor Druid was dealing with something much worse. A whole *swarm* of them, trying to pile on at once.

We tried to make a hasty escape, barely successful as the cavern fell in on itself, creating a huge 40ft crater. Then, upon safety, the Druid introduced himself as... Elder Ramiel. He rambled about a thousand eyes, beasts, arms... I'm worried about him, he's speaking of ambiguous eldrich creatures, abberitions. Poor bastard even tried to hydrate himself with WINE, and then immediately passed out after we went over town limits. After pumping his stomach, he still seemed to be fine, other than being completely out of consciousness.

When I looked back, I saw... A radial white flower. All over the town limits, surrounding the town.

They've been taken by the Fae. Shapeshifters, using magically infused bottles that can I only describe with 'infinity'.

Velborough Doe's
Date	05/08/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Easy
Player Characters	Benny Shadetree, ALOT, Maki, Iskierka, Raijin, Suttonalia Morroweather, Illiam Elro
Rewards	30gp, 290xp
Result	It's hard to say this is a success, but we did what we were told.
Author	Illiam

Part 3: Velborough Doe's

I learned that I may no longer speak of these events, so I write them in as much detail as I can muster.

Sutton discovered a little detail in the sky when we first approached And that little detail was as if time had paused itself in the sky, and only resumed as we crossed the threshold to Velborough. Unsettling.

Once we approached the Statehouse, for some reason, we weren't greeted this time. Instead we saw the gate was ajar, nobody to tell us what to do. So naturally, we did what we pleased and went in to knock for the proveyers. The only person we got a response from, was another zombified resident. Not *Zombified*, but the man wasn't all there, no regular person was regular here. While I blended into my natural environment of people being taller than me, we finally got lead to the Elder that had commissioned us. In a long shed. A weirdly long shed.

Or, so we thought.

We instead just saw a deer. Big one, just eating a salad. Really cautious, and we were too, rightfully. Turns out that was the elk we were looking for a successor about, and Iskierka's... Pet? Creature? Thought it rightful to attempt to attack the poor thing We ended up having to knock out the poor spooked thing! For some reason, we hogtied it before discovering it had a heart attack. We killed the mascot.

The townsfolk that SUDDENLY have a personality, decided that the collective consciousness did not appreciate our actions and looked on in horror.

Ello, a large goat man, seemed a bit more panicked after we told him what had happened. He announced that he was the elk's caretaker, and started to mix powders about what we had done. This turned out to be the first time I'd ever seen someone successfully J.O. a dead animal. Guess that wasn't enough for the man, he demanded we bring a 'suitable heir'. Though I suppose the proper phrase was "plead" for us to find a swift replacement, as he scrawled a map. There was fear in this man's tone. The hug I recieved was saturated in anxiety in doubt.

Once we arrived to the forest that was about an hour out, things were... Strangely tranquil. We took advantage of the calmness to make a plan, which meant Benny and Sutton made a plan. A solid one at that, waiting downwind to patiently befriend a couple elk for... Town mascot breeding, I suppose.

Sneak squad went to flush out some Elk

Trap squad does the obvious thing.

Trap squad did a great job with setup, while Sneak squad *became* the downwind. Benny had an eye on a trail, until it lead us to a... Fairy circle. Meanwhile Trap squad happened upon a couple Elk, just waiting around. At least one of our teams did the objective! While the other one continued to uncover shitstorm after fucknado after pissfest.

Sneak Squad, however... We discovered that the Fairy Circle is IN FACT, A FAIRY CIRCLE. We were granted an Audience with Rovendil of the Western Woods. One of three that rules the forest. The other two, are apparently Sagiventius and Poinsetia his brother and sister. The former of which, was practically juggling Trap Squad while the latter resided deeper in the woods. Thankfully, Rovendil cast a spell of Telepathy to Sataventius in order to wish protection to Trap Squad from Sagiventius. It was kind of the Fairies and Pixies to clean us up during our conversation before we were reunited.

"The Master", apparently, had granted these kind Elk refuge from the First World. I hope to learn more of this figure, as when I asked, Rovandil simply glanced to the sky.

May Sir Knifesnout the Famed Fae Poet rest in peace, as this ever-ticking mental reminder to return in an exact week rings in my head.

Dear GODS, I thought we saw Ello get struck down by lightning in the Townhouse, but now he's in ALOT?!?! Then Raijin grabbed some fancy wood, put it on a goat, and THAT GOAT is Ello?! Then... I lost Ello.

I didn't see this "The Master", but I felt him. It was true horror in my soul. I lost too many people to this guy.

Velborough Doughs
Date	05/10/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Easy
Player Characters	Ishi, Raijin, Suttonalia Morroweather, Benny Shadetree, Tuli Mrysky, Dar, Illiam Elro
Rewards	250xp, Familiar Tattoo, Greater Smokestick x3, Ring of Discretion x2, Lesser Spiritual Warhorn, Ventriloquist's Ring
Result	This didn't feel like a success, but we did what the letter said.
Author	Illiam Elro

Part 4: Velborough Doughs

Here again. With the ever-changing weather, still clouds, in that disgusting orb of a plane.

The same place where Ello pushed me as I lost him. Cool. I went to check where I buried the necklace that housed his soul, thankfully it was still there.

Rain trickled down sparcely as we made our way to the statehouse. I can't tell what's useful information anymore and what isn't. It all feels like it could mean something. The people here are still saying the same thing. "Howdy, Traveler." "Have a good day." "Don't know nothin' about that." Even when we ask about things that clearly exist to them, like the damn bakery we're supposed to go to. When we went towards the estate, the rain began to come down a bit harder. Moreso as we were leaving, until we noticed it had stopped just a bit outside the estate.

Towards the valley, things were a bit more unkempt. Wild, one might say, as we approached a strangely luxurious building. Though we didn't smell baked goods coming from the building, though. Despite it having a *bread sign*, almost clearly indicating this is the bakery.

The group gave a knock, and the door opened. To nobody. That is, until a young human woman ran up towards the opening with a lantern, apparently surprised to see us? Strange, since she seems to be the one who had commissioned us. Her name is Ello. Her name is Ello. Why is her name Ello. Why is her name Ello?!?!

This place is unlit. This woman insists that bread cannot be baked without "The Mother". She went on to describe the scene where an Elk apparently took her Mother, and I'm inclined to believe one of the three Elk Guardian siblings. They wouldn't do that for no reason. I need to talk to Rovendil about why he an' Vii look alike, anyway, so this seems like a good excuse.

The Master is watching, I know it in my soul. At least this bakery has cats. One calm white one, and one adorable vicious black one, and they're both adorable. And... One of the cats is named Ramiel? Three Ramiels, two Ello's, and one me going insane.

As "Ello" lead our way through the light drizzle, across the pasture, and pointed us to the Elk's domain. It's only occasionally nice to be correct, I'm grateful this is one of those times. The further we ventured into their forest, the kinder the aura felt. The rain stopped, and we approached the creek once more. All we found was some yellow sap on a tree once we crossed, and the forest didn't answer my call to speak to Rovendil.

Dar, Benny, and Tuli immediately investigated the tree scrape with the yellow sap. Apparently, it's yeast. We encountered Sagiventius and his herd, but he didn't pay us any mind.

After some deliberation, we went on to follow the trail as whispers to Raijin guided us. The whispers told him we were looking for Poinsetia, Rovendil and Sagiventius' sister. As we traveled, Dar for some reason decided after saying we were burning daylight, for us to take a break. I wasn't about to argue, the setting was becoming more unsettling as the trees thinned out and the colors became more muted. Normal, for most folks. Though, then Raijin's shadow split began to speak.

It was a shadow form of a fawn named Emme, claiming to be hiding from The Master. He had attached Himself to Raijin, and guided us through him. It told us to play The Master's game, and to stay ignorant. To find the Spirit Binder, and bring it to the light. Or to the ruins of what was once built. But whatever we do, we must do it in the light. The Master's domain is in the dark.

I'm writing this down as fast as I can, but this is all happening so fast... One second, we're walking, and the next, Tuli runs off to catch a rat!? The poor thing lacks a hind leg. We quickly learned it was an undead possum, that was... Uh... Playing dead? We kept finding more as we went on, some rats, some horses, some creatures without heads altogether. I want to believe this is a hopeful sight, but it's all quite morbid...

The yeast splotches on the trail kept getting more and more fresh as we went on, and ahead was an Elk standing over a yeasty hole. Poinsetia. Poinsetia was direct, but quite polite about the situation at hand. I have a great respect for her, even after she exploded into separate seemingly-sentient parts that proceeded to attack us.

An eye flung fire at me, a hoof tried to hoof Sutton in the face, it was insane! We thought Poinsetia was bad enough, but then the damn WALKING BLOB OF YEAST began to crawl out of its hole! Wave after wave of misery washed over us, some more than others as the fight carried on. I'm still shaking, but Sutton seemed unfazed as she danced with her shadowey opponent. A horrifying trial, I felt pain in my soul the whole time. But it felt like a necessary awfulness.

Poinsetia commended us for our strength, but noticed the sun leaving and immediate made haste.

On our way back, the rain turned to storm. A torrent of weather beating us down all the way to the bakery. Emme apparently had left us some rewards with "Ello", and we insisted on leaving swiftly after the fact. The storm was awful on our way back, the lightning flashing intensely as we crossed the threshold. I swear, I saw him. I saw The Master looming over us.

I think we displeased him. How do we play a game when we don't know the rules?

((The page is spattered with liquid drops. It's easy to deduce that it's not all rain.))

Velborough Shows
Date	05/11/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Easy
Player Characters	Tuli Mrysky, Ishi, Suttonalia Morroweather, Zeal, Benny Shadetree, Illiam Elro
Rewards	300xp
Result	Success, we're learning more.
Author	Illiam

Part 5: Velborough Shows

The clock in my head demanded I come back. I have no clue what a gotdamn Spirit Binder is, but gods willing someone coming along does. We began exchanging items for safety's sake, when Sutton said that Hiromi might have a clue. We couldn't get ahold of her, so we ended up getting a mom lecture from Sutton instead. Admittedly, it was probably a good idea. I haven't been good at hiding my anxiety yet.

Seven hours left, 23 minutes, and the seconds keep ticking. Overcast again. Torrential downpour over the statehouse, and off to the right of it as well. But over us, sunshiny days. I put on my social mask, and go to get the necklace.

When a rabbit approached me, and suddenly I was in contact with Emme once more. He seemed very focused.

We will need to follow the rabbit, if we wish to get to the land of the forgotten. I must bind the six to get to the central chamber. Doing so without His(The Master's) attention is imperative. Emme was very concise with these words, he didn't want his Gaze. The Shrine, we were told is where the Lost go to be Remembered. Due to its shroud of Moonlight, Emme could not go in with us. He may only exist in the shadows, and there are apparently no secrets in the Temple. As we rose over the hills, we saw that the fairgrounds was surrounded in an awful tornato. Weathered twister, with the calm eye of the storm simply being the fair itself.

Benny, being the Gods send he is, gave me some flayleaf to smoke up on before entering the Temple of Apparent Truths. Then the rabbit we were following fucking noclipped through the ground? Tuli quickly deduced that it was an illusory shroud over the location of the Temple, which turned out to be one for Ashava. Thank Gods, finally some comfort in all of these awful happenings. Knowing She watches me makes this a bit easier, despite the temple being in disrepair.

Leaves rustling, when suddenly a silvered arrow took the poor bunny out. AND THEN ONE TOOK ME AND SUTTON IN THE SHOULDERS? This big ol' Elf is pretty damn mean!? Why would they do this when they also follow Ashava?! This poor Desecrated Soul, seeing their anguish when I cried out, it hurt me so badly. I don't like the idea of fighting this, but we have no choice. THEY GREW A RAMIEL DURING THE FIGHT?! Is this why everything has the same name?! AND HOW DARE THEY TRY TO PRY BENNY FROM THE MORTAL COIL!? This is getting bad, why are they able to summon Ello and Ramiel?!

What are these harbingers of souls just HANGING AROUND while we're getting attacked?! Oh I see, they're looking to take our souls to mold for The Master's game. A twisted fate, in Ashava's Sanctom. Recycling souls, instead of letting them pass on freely. Like Hells if I'm going to let this happen. I don't care HOW polite those pretty cow ladies are.

That fight was awful. Truly miserable. As we managed to free Bralani, he granted us Three Truths.

Our first question; Who is the Master? Sasmi The Glorious is his True Name.

What are his intentions? The Master seeks to protect his menagerie of souls, and to escape them from the cycle of apocalypse that is Kelek. I was right, this place IS separated from the rest of Kelek.

How do we break The Master's plans? Without the menagerie, this realm serves no purpose. Bring the spirits of the Collectors here, and they can be freed. The three of the wood (Elk), and the three of the town.

I got to hug this spirit before he left. I hope he knows that I do not resent him for actions that weren't his own.

We went to the fairgrounds, storm swirling with THREE tornadoes circling the one around the fair. But for the first time, the townsfolk had their own stories to tell. Hearing them be themselves brought joy to my heart, but the day after, it all went back to the way it once was.

Truly depressing, yet I'm forced to smile.

Velborough Droves Pt. 1
Date	05/12/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Hard
Player Characters	Bliss-Retold-Till-Eternity, Benny Shadetree, Illiam Elro, Raijin, Suttonalia Morroweather, Hiromi
Rewards	275xp, 100gp, Rovendil's Left and Right horns, Sagiventius Blessed Nodachi
Result	Success, we're moving forward faster than I expected.
Author	Illiam

Part 6: Velborough Droves

The party I commissioned found me standing asleep in the street. What a way to start the mission. After passing my notepad around to Bliss and Hiromi, we began to head towards Velborough once more. Hiromi told us the flowers are called "Mangolia" flowers. Haven't heard of 'em, but that makes sense for this Fae craziness, especially since the bright and sunny weather didn't quite make any.

We decided it was a good idea to head to the forest Westside, making a visit to Mother's Bakery. The cats greeted us, I couldn't help but give the white one some good scritches. Meanwhile Emme was controlling the black cat, quickly moving to Hiromi and back. Hiromi told us that Emme said The Master was busy checking out how we shithoused Ashava's Temple. Precious little time we have, to find all six souls to bind. Our group went further West into Sagiventius' territory and beyond. Thankfully, he wasn't around to glare menecingly at us, I don't think. I've still been nodding off as I walk. Very grateful that Sutton could guide the way on this, because she knew *exactly* where to go.

When we arrived to Rovendil's sanctom, he didn't... Seem pleased. Understandable, given why we were there. Each one of us pleaded our various cases, I will never live it down and I wish to cast Un-Alive on myself, if that's ever possible. At the very least, Rovendil was receptive. He told us we could find Sagiventius towards the Fairground, and the full name of all else we must find including himself;

Rovendil, Splendor of the Wood

Poinsetia, Wrending Rot and Regrowth

Sagiventius, The Indominable Branch

The Tender of Space Below

The Servant in the Statehouse

Lady Maria of the Western Clock Tower

Rovendil then surrendered himself, much to our surprise. Hoping choosing his own fate, and follow in his Mentor's footsteps while giving Sutton her name back. We presume this is Emme, that Mentor he's talking about. Before he went into Hiromi's vessel, however, he asked me and Benny why we returned time and time again, and... He and I have a habit of helping. We couldn't help it, and.. Dear Gods, he shed his horns to us about it. They feel magic.

We then went towards Sagiventius' battleground. He was expecting us, Rovendil warned him. It took us a moment, but we decided to be as careful as we could on approach. Any chance of avoiding combat would've been preferred, we're never that lucky. Bliss began setting snares and the like, anything to assure our survival of this.

Upon approach, Benny thought it wise to taunt Sagiventius. Which, I suppose we weren't able to avoid a fight anyway, but it feels a bit overkill. Eh, that's why I adore the guy. So then it ran me down. Cool, that hurt a lot. This fight was quite intense, thank the Gods Raijin had that Alchemist's Fire onhand, and Hiromi came along... I don't think we would've survived otherwise. Raijin was also the one to deal a final blow. Upon Sagiventius' defeat, Raijin's Nodachi got imbued with some of the guardian's power, as he swore a rematch upon the man. The grand Elk faded to light, which then found itself drawn into Hiromi's Vessel. This... Hurt. A lot. Like, physically, I think I got some cracked teeth. Two down, six to go.

We had to run our way home, a storm beast hunting us down all the way out.

Velborough Necrose
Date	06/15/23
Storyteller	Indi
Tier	Trainee, Hard
Player Characters	Illiam Elro, Kali, Raijin, Mother Crow
Rewards	275xp, 50gp each
Result	A surprising and resounding success
Author	Illiam

Part 7: Velborough Necrose

Not a lot of folks this time, just myself and three others. I'm very anxious.

Snow hampered our travels a bit, but the roads were safe enough to travel upon. Planning was sparce, knowing Poinsetia is sooner to fight than to speak. We're hoping she'll hear us out, but none of us are expecting it.

Given that we didn't have Hiromi with us, and Kali wasn't wise on using her gourd, I thought that Ello's necklace might be a bit of help for us. I decided a half-sleep state would be wise, to keep a smile on my face.

That smile quickly faded when I saw myself pulling up the necklace. But it wasn't me. But it was sorta-me.

What the hell is this sorta-me doing taking the necklace and running to the statehouse!? Rude!

Turns out the not-me, is claiming to be my cousin named Inune, and made of glass. Very kind, but very concerned. They claim to enjoy flowers and be 19 years of age. Far too young to be my cousin. I don't like this, it feels like Sasmi wants me for his menagerie.

Watching her shatter her feet to save her reputation hurt, but the sound felt worse somehow.

Inune told us that The Servent is the Master of Velborough, I was correct to presume it was Ello. However, it seemed a woman adorned in jewelry and a long black robe answered the door only to turn us away. The door keeps opening for us. Then Hiromi seemed to call for Kali on the inside of the manor, and it made us all run a cold sweat.

We didn't HAVE Hiromi with us this time, only on our last adventure. Kali then began to talk to herself, I realized Emme was attached to her. I took Emme onto my shadow, and demanded answers.

Apparently the servant HAS been trying to make my likeness. Emme and Ello are siblings, it seems, and The Master is frantic over the loss of Ello. I wonder how that happened.

The overcast drizzle continued through our journey to Poinsetia's domain, even into the forest. His influence is spreading. We can't even see Sagitventus' wives, which was admittedly disheartening. When we arrived to her domain, Poinsetia was nowhere to be found. Not her creatures, not any piece of her. Mother Crow was the first to figure out that the forest began to return to us, in the strangest of ways. The trees were malformed, turned to animal and humanoid shapes. Some of them looked resembling, of Elk and Goats... It hurt to see, I couldn't help but pray for them. I hope my dance reaches their souls.

Poinsetia addressed us via explosive rabbit, insisting that we had *taken* Rovendil and Sagiventus. Now given, we did have to fight for Sagiventus, I took personal exception to the prospect that we had stolen Rovendil. Even with what I had said, Poinsetia is insisting on a fight, and I can tell this one won't be as easy...

We met her, and she showed fear of her loyalty being questioned. Fear of our possible success, fear of being hunted... It hurts to think that it's boiled down to this, and I can't imagine my dreams will sit any more pleasantly afterwords.

Dear gods, we're so absurdly outmatched, I have no idea how long I have to write this The writing gets significantly more sloppy Raijin is getting ate by a ribcage, and Mother Crow is a glass cannon, I'm getting stared down by a GIANT?! This is terrifying! Thank GODS for these massive attackers, otherwise I feel like we woulda been a stain on the ground. We somehow survived without even a single person going down, we worked very well together...

Though this was... The most aggressive I've ever been, it feels like. Poinsetia decided to try and draw my ire, say I didn't know what I was doing. All she said was that I was ripping her safety from her, that I didn't know what the real world was about. I told her that she has sequestered herself, decided to ignore the world that rebuilds itself, that grows time and time again. That we insist on living, on thriving despite the world being against us.

She relinquished her soul to us after that point, asking us to cut down what I can only describe as 'soul trees', but the sky tried to take it. I didn't like that the sky was taking what didn't belong to it. I took it back, with all of my magical force that I could muster into my hand. Poinsetia was going with us, because I want to know her soul will either rest or revive by the end of this Hells.

The storm took us out, throwing us from the bounds from a great height. The landing hurt real bad.

Really bad. It might've been worse, but... For some reason, Raijin and I didn't get hurt nearly as bad. I could've sworn I saw Raijin grow flaming wings.

That's nothing compared to what I saw.

The Master is *pissed*, but I don't... Actually think I care. We should still wait a while before returning, considering how hard we should've landed.