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Then, people start disappearing off the streets. Is the pursuit of advancing civilisation proving too unwieldy to manage? What good is paying taxes to a city that cannot protect its citizens? 

Strange footprints and discarded items from the disappeared lead an investigator to the paths surrounding Zaklanada that lead into the forest. Splinter-in-training Vutry Bluntwhip journeys bravely into the woods to uncover the culprit. 

A week later, his mace and pendant are found in a riverbank. Wedged in the wooden handle of the mace is a shard of obsidian, the kind only found in the belly of the mountain adjacent to the city. Spread thin, Zaldanada's ruling council of Lizardfolk assigns a slapdash group to delve into the heart of the mountain and unearth the threat to their burgeoning civilisation. 

You are a member of that group. 

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They reach a circular metal barrier with three possible corridors, and Alyssa manages to free Felim from a hook. They dash forward, but the wall warps again, separating them from Enton and Alyssa. Enton, now trapped in a burning room, makes a Dexterity save, taking less fire damage thanks to his newly acquired Fire Resistance.  

The corridor changes again, and the group makes Dexterity saves, with Philean failing and getting hooked twice. They encounter more hooks and more fire, losing a few spell slots. The wall finally reforms, revealing a larger room with several corridors and more hooks emerging from the walls.  

A circular barrier emerges, and the party makes Dexterity saves, again taking damage and getting hooked. Felim manages to free herself from a hook, and Victor is grappled by a hook. The party decides to move to a spot closer

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The party tries to persuade Aphior to unite the Triocisies and the Untamed but fails. They learn that the Machinist is not to be trusted and is manipulating Aphior. They uncover evidence of mind-altering magic and discover that Aphior's trusted system for monitoring the Triocisies has been compromised.

The party decides to investigate the Quartermaster’s quarters and to look for the missing Archmages, promising Aphior to leave if they find no evidence of foul play. They also learn about the heir to Alyssa, a powerful individual with ties to the Ithrandiel, potentially capable of restoring the magic of Tursalan. The party is left with many unanswered questions and a growing suspicion that Aphior is not who they thought he was. 

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The party is then confronted by the Cacophony's half-servants, who drag Runa away. They are forced to retreat as they hear a warning from an unseen force. They then discover that the room's anti-magic field has been reactivated, suggesting that someone is monitoring them. The session ends as the party debates whether or not to seek a meeting with Rethnick, a powerful archmage, in order to address the disappearance of other archmages and their growing concerns about the Cacophony's influence on the city.

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When the group used Greater Restoration to break a memory spell on Astaria, she suffered a violent magical seizure. Seeking a solution, they infiltrated Aphior’s office and activated his anti-magic field, which successfully stabilized her. With her memories returning, Astaria revealed Rethnic had abducted her personally, intending to transform her into a more stable vessel for power than the volatile Aphigior.

Meanwhile, a smaller group including Enten and Winston discovered their rooms had been ransacked by Cleary's forces. They then visited the Palladian, who exorcised the Cacophony patron from Enten. The exorcism reactivated Card’s coin, playing a cryptic message from a mysterious new voice.

The most significant revelation came from Faleen, whose Divination spell confirmed that the "God of Storm and Scales"—the source of Winston’s power—was Winston himself all along.

As Astaria prepared a letter to take back to Tersalon, the session ended on a cliffhanger. Enten was ambushed by Runa, a Blackwing squire, revealed as an agent of the now-exorcised Cacophony. Though Winston intervened with a seemingly lethal blow, Runa was unharmed and was about to blast Enten at point-blank range.

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The Joust begins with the party successfully navigating the first arena, learning about the Blessing of Crystals and the potential for backfire. They confront and defeat their opponents, culminating in a spectacular beheading by Jolyn. Claire Voyance, the MC of the Joust, gives a brief address to the victors, while the party observes the unconscious and dead being whisked away.

The next battle is against two Akka Scythes, powerful creatures with a seemingly chaotic balance. The party is forced to adapt to the arena's unique rules, where attacking only the enemy is forbidden. Despite a strong start, the enemy proves difficult, forcing the party to utilize all of their skills and spells. The fight ultimately ends in their favor, with the death of their opponent.

As they prepare for the next round, the party discusses the political ramifications of their actions, knowing their victory could give them a platform to speak out against the corruption of the city's leaders. They also strategize about how to utilize their spells and abilities more effectively. The session ends with the party heading back to the underbelly of the arena, where they will face further challenges and hopefully find clues to Aphior’s whereabouts.

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The players then decide to consult the Oracle, a mysterious figure who claims to be able to see into the future. The Oracle is revealed to be a tree in disguise, and she provides information about Astaria and Draythan, two missing companions of the players. She also mentions that the Quartermaster of Souls is involved in their disappearance, potentially as a means to bait the players into the joust.

After consulting the Oracle, the players decide to seek guidance from the Amage Electus, a powerful figure known for her knowledge of forgotten memories. The Amage Electus confirms that a Cremnemon is a powerful entity, but she's unwilling to delve deeper into the mystery. However, she does mention that a Cremnemon's soul could be present in the Tower, suggesting that it might be involved in the current events.

The session ends with the players preparing for the joust, a perilous event that will pit them against other spellcasters. They receive warnings about the Quartermaster of Souls and her ability to claim souls, as well as the potential for magical traps and unexpected modifications to the arena. The session ends with the players facing their first round of combat, utilizing their combined skills and magic to overcome their opponents. The outcome of this encounter is left to the next session, promising an exciting continuation of the campaign.

Session Recap - The DM recaps the previous session's events.

The Missing Archmage - The players discuss the disappearance of Archmage Afeel and their suspicions about who might be responsible.

Enton's Return - Enton returns to the group, recounting his recent adventures and struggles with his patron.

A Visit to the Oracle - The players encounter a new fortune teller in the mess hall and engage in readings and discussions about their future and the events surrounding them.

The Joust Begins - The players prepare for the upcoming Joust, discussing strategies, acquiring new magic items, and engaging in some light-hearted roleplaying.

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Winston and Victor meet a Palladian who, for a fee, helps Winston commune with the God of Storm and Scales, revealing that the God is real, but not necessarily present in this plane. They learn that the God can bring people back from the dead. 

The party also learns about the Arcane Joust, a tournament where wizards compete for prizes, including powerful magic items. They discover that Afeor is participating in the joust and decide to join his team to protect him.  

While exploring the city, the party encounters Gauk, a vendor who sells magical items. Gauk tries to scam them by selling them a faulty reliquary, but they use their investigation skills to uncover his deception. 

The party visits Jadis, who informs them that Archmages cannot be forced into the Joust, but their names can appear on the sign-up sheet if they've been threatened. They then head to the Joust, but are intercepted by half-servants before they can reach the arena.  

They track down Afeor and learn that he might be in trouble. They decide to enter the Joust and see if they can help him.  

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They split up to find Vasselships, with Alyssa seeking an apprenticeship with the Combat Mage Jadis, who attacks and then imprisons her. Victor enjoys a delicious Barthes, while Yolin manages to deactivate a magical monitor. Enten visits the Voximage but is told to fill out forms. 

Anton, exploring the Corpus Mage Prospero's warehouse, finds himself trapped in an anti-magic field with Cleary, a geneticist who has a history of horrific experimentation. They are attacked by a mysterious figure, but the party manages to defeat him. 

Prospero, revealed to be a powerful mage, escapes through a portal into another layer of the city, while Cleary is nowhere to be found. They learn of a mysterious mechanism in Prospero's warehouse which can bring people back from the other plane. 

While searching for a way to bring back their friend Yolan who was transformed into a rabbit, they are attacked by Prospero's mannequins. They eventually defeat him, but not before he manages to kill Winston and Alyssa. 

The party retreats to Aphiora's room, where they learn more about the power of the Corpus Mage and the Liberty Cabal. They eventually discover that Prospero's escape mechanism was a failsafe provided by the Chrono-mage.

They encounter Runa of Honor, a follower of Lord Cajun Blackwing, and are warned of the dangers of the Quartermaster of Souls, a powerful being who oversees the collection of souls.

Finally, the party returns to their host, Merrick, and learn that the bodies they recovered from the warehouse may be of use to Ambrose, the Mortis Mage. The session ends with the party planning their next steps, which include speaking with Ambrose, finding the Palladian, and investigating the nature of their divine power. 

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They are given a choice: pay a hefty fine for killing simulacra during the peel, or enter a Vassal Ship program under a major eye professor. After a humorous exchange involving a fake platinum coin and a punch to the gut, they opt for the Vassal Ship program.

A chaotic scene ensues as they navigate the city, attempting to secure a Vassal Ship. Yolan, Alyssa, and Anton each attempt to secure a ship while Victor, Winston, and Felene head to the Mess Hall.

The group discovers that they have a short amount of time to secure a ship, and that they need to be careful not to break the rules. They encounter various characters, including the Quartermaster of Souls, a suspicious guard, and a friendly professor who offers them lodging.

As the session ends, they find themselves in an empty room with a mysterious, gas-filled room next door. The room is filled with the presence of a powerful being that is observing them, and the conglomerate is starting to seize control of Anton's mind. 

The group's journey into the Trio Cities has just begun, and they are about to face new challenges and make new allies. The fate of the planes hangs in the balance, and they will need all their wits and skills to survive. 

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Meanwhile, the party's efforts to gather intelligence on Card have revealed his alliance with the Magus of the Trio Cities and his connection to the Vaharai, a threat to Tercelan.

The emissary, after delving into Faleem's mind, accuses her of dishonesty and decides to observe her for five hours. During this time, the party learns that their sponsor, Adria, is a powerful figure in the Untamed, and that Card is headed towards the Trio Cities.

As the five-hour observation period draws to a close, the emissary declares the party worthy and allows them to proceed to the Trio Cities. However, they are immediately transported to a grand hall, where they are confronted by six hostile creatures and two spellcasters.

The ensuing battle proves challenging, as the party faces powerful magic and resilient enemies. They must learn to navigate the shifting environment and the effects of a central statue, which controls the area's aura and defenses.

The battle continues with a mixture of strategy and improvisation, as the party utilizes their unique abilities and magic to overcome the challenges presented to them. They face difficult decisions, grapple with new information, and ultimately emerge victorious.

The session concludes with the party facing the Peel, a trial that will determine their fate and their potential role in the conflict brewing between Tercelan and the Vaharai. 

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The party struggles to fulfill their sponsors' tasks, finding themselves in strange games and bizarre interactions. Meanwhile, they encounter an Avoglain army member, prompting a discussion about whether to sabotage their sponsorship, ultimately deciding against it. 

Victor, with his newfound ability to sell items, negotiates with a merchant who offers a strange artifact that hovers in the air, and then gambles with a crystal-headed gambler, eventually winning a pouch of strange gem dust. Winston discovers a magical jar, ultimately trading it for a scrap of fabric. 

The party decides to investigate the origin of the Spinewalkers, the monstrous creatures that emerge from the central basin of serum, and encounter a Blood Watcher, a merchant who deals in luxurious items. They learn that transgressors are punished by being transformed into Spinewalkers.

They discuss their next course of action, ultimately deciding to head towards the Trio Cities. Along the way, they encounter an emissary from the Magus, who warns them to be careful. They meet a mysterious individual who claims to be a missionary from Tercelon, tasked with bringing a relic to the Trio Cities. This individual, seemingly suspicious, reveals that he was in the Baron's presence months ago and that he knows about the object that the party is seeking. The party, suspicious of this individual, devises a plan to use invisibility and a magical coin to spy on him, hoping to learn more about his intentions. 

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Meanwhile, Jack and the other Faye are repelling Scream Wolves in the main Conclave. The Silkies, Fey allies, reveal they've morphed into powerful plasma blobs in the fight.

After settling their debts with the Silkies, the party is confronted by the Isahail, who reprimand them for their actions and declare Malora persona non grata. The Isahail and the Ythran deal advise the party to leave, fearing further threats from the Vahari.  

Draethon, now fully recovered, decides to teach the technique of his life-giving magic to a worthy member of the Conclave before leaving with the Isahail. He identifies Felrenia, a Ythrandil with a crystal heart, as a potential student. 

Meanwhile, Victor, still experiencing the residual effects of being the avatar of Erebus, is struggling to process his experience. 

The party sets out with the Isahail, following Rail and Ericura towards Malora's location. Along the way, they encounter an increasingly toxic untamed, a sickly green aura emanating from Malora's unconscious form. 

Alyssa, using her nature magic, manages to loosen the vines binding Malora's head and neck. The party senses a powerful presence that encompasses the untamed, Malora, and Alyssa. Rail steps in, using a strange, golden portal, to re-bind Malora to the untamed. 

This act leaves Alyssa overwhelmed by the untamed's consciousness, but Malora, waking briefly, grants her a new magical sword that grows out of her arm. 

The party, now exhausted but not depleted, decides to rest before making their way to the Trio Cities. Winston, motivated to learn how to bring the dead back to life, approaches Malora with a request, but she sends him off with a flower and a cryptic message about finding a crystal heart. 

The party, their exhaustion removed by a mysterious force, decides to make their way to the Cup of Crimson Wonder, but not before encountering a strange vulture that seems to be following them. Victor, using the *tech thoughts* spell, probes the bird's mind, only to find that he is in fact, a demonic god. 

Etmus, eager to reach the Cup, leads the party through the untamed, where they encounter a familiar figure – an envoy of Ava, who claims to be working to bring order and civilization to the chaotic landscape. 

The party, now on edge, decides to continue their journey to the Cup, seeking answers and facing new challenges. 

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You went further underground, meeting Boruk and Branik the dwarves. Wynston listened to some stones, and then you continued onward. The party passed the Gnolls, feasting on a scavenged carcass, and Wynston got to monch a leg. 

The gang reached Breonin's meditation spiral, a cave lined with troughs of molten gold. Breonin resided there in the form of a massive eastern dragon. 

He told the party of Dragons' ability to meld with physical beings, and that he and Jukkud feuded over their subjugation of the Faehaerun. Breonin sent younger Dragons to punish Jukkud, though Jukkud killed them all despite already having separated from his Faehaerun host. Somewhere around here, the Faehaerun became known as the Vaharai. 

They also learnt a little about the Blooded One, the entity Enton is apparently serving. A 'sentient pool of blood who can infect open wounds and create monstrosities from them'. Breonin investigated Alyssa's sword, claiming it didn't have the ability to harm him. 

With Breonin unable to recall how he died, Wynston cast a Divination to ask the Living Stones. Jack-in-the-Green appeared, speaking about the Vaharai, explaining that the Trespassers are the Pantheonic Gods, who destroyed their home – a place called Faerûn – and came to Tursalan. This happened multiple thousands of years ago

Jack then told the party that the Vaharai Breonin melded with, Paragon, freed himself from Breonin by splitting the dragon apart, rendering him essentially dead. It's only thanks to the Living Stones doing Breonin "a favour" that he's still alive. 

Jack confirmed that he is the son of the Mother of the Wilds (he calls her Mel), and spends his time with the Living Stones or on the other side of the Doorway. Alyssa asked Jack if she'd fucked up the Thorn of the Sycamore, and Jack tested it by cutting himself. He healed from a normal blade, but not from the Thorn. He then left. 

The party moved onward from Holdurgor, after Folmar decided to stay with his group of defectors at the Splinter stronghold. After a day of travelling, during which they made it most of the way out of the mountains towards the forest to the east, the party was ambushed. 4 Cabal members astride 4 Screamwolves cornered them. 

After quicky dispatching the first 3 Cabal members, the 4th seemed to swell with power, and lashed out with magic and extra attacks, before Jolyn incinerated his vital organs. The party retreated to a small section of ground surrounded by tall rocks, to begin a short rest. As they settled in, the ground began to shake, and rocks fell. Wynston and Enton managed to make it to the top of the rock walls, but the rest of the party vanished into the collapsing ground.

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