Chapter 2
General Summary
Part 1: Hasten Neuroses
Chapter Two: Aligned Seas
Chapter 1 Recap:
In Chapter One, Tutorial Level, we began on Reddon Lane in the seaside port town of Lilliver. A dragonborn named Arden Elliott kidnapped seven creatures, including Goblin Spickle Durf Bigteef, Human Komi Confidant, Half-Elf Rika Arabella, Tiefling Thad, Dragonborn Quo Rhizel, and Half-Elf Imari Orvir, who was arguably complicit in her kidnapping. This took place after an intense street fight that ended in both Elliott and Imari falling unconscious, with Imari hearing a disembodied voice before she was revived. Moments after Elliott was revived, however, you all witnessed him smash a glass bottle that he pulled out of his pocket, and the last thing any of you saw was a puff of smoke before falling unconscious.
The next morning, all of you woke to find yourselves in Boarwood Village on the island of Terun in the middle of a very colorful forest—mostly pink—and you were in a very rustic bedroom that you later found to be a room in the Medieval Bliss Tavern and Inn. Elliott informed you that you’ve all been charmed and are now a part of what he calls The Fold. And through all of your relentless grilling of Elliott, he has steadfastly insisted that this is NOT a cult.
You had breakfast at the local Mallorie's, where Elliott told you that he had a shopping list before you could traverse the forest and meet his superior. Shortly thereafter, a disgruntled Thad received a message telling him to stay put.
Opor, 17 Pereundei, 253 E.W
9:20 am
Everyone retrieved their bags from the bag check at the front of Mallories, and those who got prizes from the gashapon stowed them. Elliott shared his grocery list with the group---
During their shopping, some relationships between members of the group began to emerge, for better or worse. In addition to Spickle and Elliott's argument, Imari was very passive-aggressive toward anyone who had attacked Elliott the night before, and was especially hostile toward Thad, who had struck the blow against her that had knocked her unconscious. Thad and Rhizel, having known each other back in Lilliver, stuck together often for a bit of familiarity, as did Komi and Spickle, and Elliott and Imari. Rika was very friendly toward everyone, and Imari found her incredibly annoying.
While completing Elliott's shopping list, Thad remained on the lookout for anyone looking interesting or approachable, and ended up striking up a conversation with the elf and gnome who ran the crystal shop on the outskirts of town. He asked them if they were in The Fold, and they responded with confusion. He went on to ask about the mayor of the village, and learned that his name is Coyote Montezuma, and made a mental note to talk to him whenever city hall was open.
By early afternoon, the party regrouped, having completed the shopping list, and headed toward the woods, followed by Elliott.
There are three roads leading in and out of the village, and I take a different one each time. And I never pass the same way to get to Denali. It would compromise his safety. Mine, too, I guess. But even if I was followed, it would be basically impossible for anyone to get there without me noticing. I know where all the traps are. Also, tons of people live in the woods. I’m not exactly the only one who doesn’t live in town.
On their way to Denali's, Thad began marking their path in the trees, and Elliott noticed immediately and asked that he stop. Thad told him he was just marking their way, and Elliott reminded him how important it was that Denali's location stay secret, but also informed him that it was illegal to harm the Ipe trees, and told him that if he has to make marks on something, it just can't be the trees.
Later along their path, the group came across two woodsmen who launched an attack the moment they saw them. Elliott was enraged the entire battle. Afterward the woodsmen fell, he reiterated what he told Thad before; the Ipe trees are not only sacred, but endangered. Tree poachers frequently try to cut the Ipe down to make a quick buck.
After guiding them past various tripwires and sensors, Elliott pointed out a grassy mound overgrown with trees, shrubs, and vines. He indicated a collection of vines that hung down in a thick mass, and then disappeared behind them. If the group didn’t watch Elliott walk through the vines, they wouldn’t have any idea where he went.
After following behind, they saw Elliott at a wooden door. He took a deep breath, whispered "You got this" to himself, and then opened the door.
Inside, they took in a round room with a rough diameter of about 20 feet. The entire place smelled of the stew simmering in the wood stove, which had a T-shaped chimney and sat in the middle of the room, marking the separation of the living space and the kitchen. Most notably, the entire space was covered with books. Everything else looked incredibly organized, but the books were in complete disarray, and covered both desks in the living space, as well as almost every seat and surface.
A middle aged human man emerged from the kitchen and greeted them warmly, telling them that he was glad they all made it there safely, and that stew for eight would be finished soon. Elliott asked how he knew so many were coming, and Denali responded saying that he noticed there were six vials missing instead of just one, and assumed that he must have picked up a few more people than expected. Denali told him he wasn't upset, and that this unexpected addition to The Fold could be a learning experience for both of them.
This can be a learning experience for both of us, yeah? I need to learn to be more specific with my instructions. And you need to learn to... Well, eat for once. And take a nap. And a shower. Just... Go on downstairs and take some time, okay?
After Elliott disappeared downstairs to get cleaned up, Denali invited everyone to sit down, and initiated introductions. Spickle and Komi chose not to participate, and Denali did not press them. Komi did, however, state that she was going to begin to organize his mass of books, and Denali thanked her.
Denali did not recognize Rika Arabella by name, but believed what she said about herself and assured her she would be back on her tour in no time. He also acknowledged Rhizel's background, recognizing his surname, and noted aloud that it might be trouble that he went missing. He also greeted Imari most warmly, letting her know that she was the one he initially expected Elliott to bring home, and that he felt honored to meet her in person. He began to ask Thad questions about whether he liked his job, and was met with hostility, and the conversation turned to the charm the group was under that inducted them into the Fold.
Denali told them all the same thing that Elliott had before---the charm is a self-defense, and cannot be dispelled without risking his life. He told them that it he would dispell it as soon as he felt they could be trusted, and asked them to give him some time.
Now can you understand why no one can find out about me? Growing food without the proper licensing, building a home and powering it from my own homemade grid, practicing my alchemy without oversight, and surely you’ve noticed my library? All of this is, at least borderline, illegal. But do you see anything wrong with it?
He invited them to look around and explore the grounds of his home. He directed them toward the bedrooms, pointing out his bedroom and Elliott's bedroom, but saying the remaining two were open to them however they wished to conduct their sleeping arrangements. The group noted how much the wooden floors echoed when stepped upon, and noted also how much colder it was downstairs.
I can disguise my features, sure, but not my magical imprint. I’m limited to what I can do to make the world a better place. I could stay here forever and do nothing, but i don’t want that. I don’t want anyone to have to live in fear like I do. I want a world where people can truly be free. Free from the government. Free from the gods. Free from everything.
Komi, Spickle, Thad, and Rhizel all took the larger bedroom on the left, and occupied four of the five available beds. Imari began to situate herself in the smaller room across the hall, and was severely disappointed when Rika appeared in the doorway.
Heyyyyyyyy, Roomie!!!!!
Continue to Chapter 3
Silly Little Quotes
I can try really hard! People have called me a tryhard before!
Luck... of the Irish?
Do the Irish even exist here?
Details
Report Date
27 Feb 2024
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Plots
Related Characters
Previous Sessions
Chapter 1Later Sessions
Chapter 3Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12