Session 074: Home Again, Home Again
General Summary
We begin in the office of Sir Kerria, Sir Kerria having recently vacated, blood still splattered across Sir Kerria's desk, and Jack and Thomas having absconded to the garden. Zenith Prestidigitates the blood away. (After Talasea dabs some up with a napkin and slips it in his bag, just in case they need angel blood for something.) The group discusses what to do next.
Zenith pokes around for spellbooks, but ends up only finding texts on magic theory. Aphid settles down with a bestiary of the Four Kingdoms, looking for new wild shapes. He focuses on the Autumn Kingdom in particular, reading about elks and bears and birds and badgers and mountain lions and. Stuff. He chooses three to study to add to his collection.
The party hunts down the Icebreaker and Mohr decides to just walk straight onto the ship. They quickly locate Swallow bickering with a sailor about limes. Tal backs him up and the party ridicules the sailor about his apparent desire to just eat a lime as a snack. Swallow and Tal share a joyful reunion and exchange gifts. Swallow is very pleased with his spices and knives, while Tal delights over a seashell earring purchased in Covalac. Swallow mentions that the ship will be leaving tomorrow at dawn, which causes a bit of a stir as the party contemplates the things they have left to do here. Then a gangly young half-orc in a casual naval uniform comes up from below deck, followed by a man also in naval uniform, but with a coat and a branching blue scar across one eye.
100 gold per person up front 50 gold per person as a down payment. If they reach their destination after the ship's original deadline, the party will pay an additional 50 gold per person. In exchange the party will be provided with room and board. If they reach their destination on time or ahead of time, the party will not have to pay the additional 50g/person.
After the break, we return to the group locating Mohr. Jack asks Mohr if she's okay, to which she replies.
North Wind heads south to the Lukot Manor, just to make sure that's taken care of. Hawthorn greets them with a small amount of surprise that they're back. Aphid brings a gift basket (personalized with Summerian fabrics) for Grandmother and hands over one of the "sending stones". Grandmother shares a chilly goodbye with Aphid. She is, for whatever reason, not comforted by his mouse-sized sword. She reiterates her disappointment over Aphid's apparent disinterest in legacy. Aphid shares their plans for where they're going next and mentions that he will shortly be proposing to Mossi. Then he darts off with a kiss to the cheek. The rest of party is left in the silence. Hawthorn mercifully takes them out to the patio. Aphid heads down to the home of the Logtons (definitely not the Fencertons, they have always been the Logtons), doing his best to remember the traditional Lukot proposal. He stays in his halfling form and gently knocks on the door to the Logton home. Mr. and Mrs. Logton come out and greet Aphid.
Talasea, appearing somewhat on edge and out of it, perks up as they gather to head out. He turns his focus to drawing the teleportation circle. His magic washes a wave of stars across the circle, creating a dark mirror of water that the party jumps into. They are swept across the continent, from the cool air of the Springish evening to the heat of Felimandoo. They exit the Ember Tower, briefly greeting the Ember Tower staff member working the desk in the foyer. The party takes a moment to quickly disguise themselves with masks and scarves and Disguise Self. The party escorts Thomas back to the humble home of the Turner family. Sarah flings open the front door and rushes out to pat Thomas down. She decides to more thoroughly bully Jack for his thin disguise once everyone is inside. We end with the party in the familiar safety of the Turner home.
Within the Palace
The Library
They decide to head to the library to check out Other Worlds. Talasea tries to study the book briefly to see if he can recreate it using the Song of Creation. He determines that he would need to know the contents of the book really well in order to recreate it . Tal pivots to focusing on the different worlds that Aolis Zumdan saw, seeing if he can find categorizations that Zumdan used. Click here to read info gleaned from Other Worlds Zumdan begins by spending a lot of time focusing on the first world that he stumbled into, a tropical island, jungley world. One moment he was home in the Autumn Kingdom, the next he was in a strange place and didn't know how he had gotten there. He searches for a way to get home. He tracks down folklore about a place that children were warned not to go to lest they be stolen by the fairfolk. Zumdan hunts for this place and manages to stumble through an archway into what sounds like the Feywild. He spends some time there until he finds a person that appears to be a plane-traveler. That person helps him figure out how to plane hop.
From there, the narrative picks up and Zumdan begins to spend more time on different planes. He describes the plane that Tal first recognized while the group approached the roots of the Motherheart in the Verdant Quarter.
Through the tear, they can see a barren landscape, shapes moving in the distance, spires jutting out of the earth. The tear appears to bisect one of the spires and they can see miniscule tunnels from which grubs are emerging.Zumdan also describes a plane of fire; a world that doesn't appear to have any magic, which he finds difficult to move out of due to difficulties finding components and even using magic at all; a community of entirely land-based fish people; all of these different places that he ends up in that he describes in varying levels of detail. He spends quite a bit of time describing a world in which the only spellcasters appear to be wizards. This world seems to be the last one that he describes.
Session 46: Beneath the Roots
Office of the Primrose Queen
A while later (how much later? unclear) Talasea decides to see if he can find the Primrose Queen for a quick chat, bringing Mohr along. They are directed to her office, a large space with a long conference table that the Queen appears to use as her desk. Tal thanks her for letting them read the book and asks her if she thinks Zumdan was telling the truth. She notes that people have long pointed out the unreliability of Zumdan's narration, but given what they know she thinks he was at least partially telling the truth. Tal also asks the Queen if she was told everything they learned from Moa. They point out the instructions about following the party and destabilizing locations where they were in particular. He finishes up by telling her about how the North Wind is wanted in the Summer Kingdom for a murder they didn't commit and asking her to keep that in mind if someone says they did a murder after they leave. The Queen promises that if anyone accuses them of murder she will take it with a grain of salt. Talasea has the brilliant idea to do a Sending to Aolis Zumdan, but he is definitely for sure dead. Talasea then Sends to Swallow: Tal: Hello brother, where are you? Are you on Icebreaker by any chance? Cus that would be crazyyyyyy. Swallow: Oh my god, brother. Good to hear from ya. Was beginning to think we were gonna miss each other. Icebreaker, yeah. So the group swings by to pick up Jack and Thomas, then blows down to the docks.The Icebreaker
The party hunts down the Icebreaker and Mohr decides to just walk straight onto the ship. They quickly locate Swallow bickering with a sailor about limes. Tal backs him up and the party ridicules the sailor about his apparent desire to just eat a lime as a snack. Swallow and Tal share a joyful reunion and exchange gifts. Swallow is very pleased with his spices and knives, while Tal delights over a seashell earring purchased in Covalac. Swallow mentions that the ship will be leaving tomorrow at dawn, which causes a bit of a stir as the party contemplates the things they have left to do here. Then a gangly young half-orc in a casual naval uniform comes up from below deck, followed by a man also in naval uniform, but with a coat and a branching blue scar across one eye.
Mohr's Reunion
Mohr notices immediately, but hangs back and waits for Semir to notice her. His eyes find her quickly, as though drawn to her. Semir rushes up and embraces her tightly. Mohr hugs back, a bit hesitant. Semir breathes, "You're okay." Mohr replies, "Yeah, of course I'm okay. What- what are you doing here?" Semir pushes away from Mohr, holding her shouldersSemir: I was looking for you.Semir turns to the party. Aphid waves.
Mohr: Why?
Semir: You- I- It's been months and we hadn't heard anything from you.
Mohr: Okay. Did you prefer something else?
Semir: ...sorry, can you say that one more time?
Mohr: Did you- what did you want me to do exactly?
Semir: What- I- I didn't- I don't know. I was just trying- I just wanted to make sure you were safe, I-
Mohr: I am. But now I'm not sure you're safe. Are you trying to get yourself killed or something?
Semir: Am I trying to get- I needed a way to travel and find you and I didn't know how and then the navy came through town and I said- It's not like I have money or- or magic or anything to be able to just jaunt across the Four Kingdoms.
Mohr: Exactly. You don't have magic or anything. This is very reckless.
Semir: I'm reckless?
Mohr: Yes.
Semir: I have the resources of the entire Winterian Navy on my side. You went off with a cantrip and a plan.
Mohr: Oh, so you've got this big organization behind you now, huh. That's why you're here.
Semir: I'm here because I didn't know if you were alive or dead.
Mohr: I'm alive.
Semir: I'm glad.
Mohr: Okay, you can go back.
Semir: No, I can't.
Mohr: Exactly. So what are you doing right now? I don't understand why you're here, putting yourself in danger like this. It's so reckless. This is just like you.
Semir: Oh. Oh. Just like me. Now I'm back to baby Semir, who was born like 2 minutes after you, by the way.
Mohr: Okay.
Semir: Here I thought, maybe I'd find you by the side of the road, your body. I thought I was going to find you dead by the side of a road. Or in a prison or in need of help. Or something. And you're just back to chastising me. Like always. I thought that I was going to have to bring home news and your body to our parents. But I see that Mohr knows best. Like always.
Mohr: Yeah, I do. I will find my own way. You don't need to be here. You don't need to put yourself in danger like this. It was perfectly safe at home.
Semir: Oh, and that shows what you know.
Mohr: I would have sent word when-
Semir: When?
Mohr: -when it would have been necessary.
Semir: Necessary?
Mohr: Yes.
Semir: And when would that have been? When you were dead?
Mohr: Yes.
Semir: And how would you have sent word?
Mohr: I have friends. I have people travelling with me.
Semir: Okay. Friends.
Semir: Hello friends of Mohr. Nice to meet you. Or hear about you for the first time. Did Mohr tell you to send a message back to her family if she was dead?Semir examines Mohr closely. His face drops.
Aphid: YES. (this is ignored)
Mohr: Okay, now why are you talking to them? This is a discussion between us.
Semir: Oh, discussion between us? Now you want to talk to me?
Mohr: I've been talking to you since the moment I arrived, what do you mean?
Semir: You've been talking at me, not to me.
Mohr: Okay. /in-a-huff
Semir: And apparently you were going to leave it to them to tell us if you were dead, so I feel like knowing them at all is well within my rights.
Mohr: Well I didn't die so.
Semir: You just lied to me.Mohr leaves the ship. She is followed quickly by the rest of the party. Talasea tries to talk to Mohr.
Mohr: Okay, I- I didn't stay dead. I came back.
Semir: *huffs in disbelief*
Mohr: I- we are dealing with something that is way too big for you to understand, okay?
Semir: Now I couldn't understand. I wonder where I've heard that before.
Mohr: I don't know what you want me to say. I don't know what you expected.
Semir: I don't know either anymore. Maybe I just expected to see my sister but it doesn't feel like I'm getting that either... I have work to be doing actually. So.
Mohr: Okay.
Semir: Make your own way I guess.
Mohr: Yeah, I will be out of here. Guys, if you want I will just be by the boat, okay, bye.
Tal: It- your brother! I know you're worried but I'm worried about you so much.Back on the ship, Sasha quietly speaks to Semir while Swallow, deeply confused, picks up his crate of limes and backs away slowly. Aphid writes down Hawthorne's mailing address and approaches Semir. Aphid gives the address to Semir, saying that he's going to try to figure out a way to stay in touch with his brother, so maybe this is a way for Semir to have someone he can check with and keep in contact.
Mohr: In what way?
Tal: You are really being... not really fair to him, I- and you're kind of closing yourself off very, very abruptly and it's kind of-
Mohr: How do you know? You don't know anything about my relationship with my brother; what gives you the right to say this right now?
Tal: You know, it's a fair point, I've just never seen you like this.
Jack: We don't have to- do you wanna? Hm.
Tal: Are you just upset that he's worried about you?
Mohr: Okay, why am I being interrogated all of a sudden? I don't understand.
Zenith: We're worried.
Aphid: Everyone else, when they have emotional- actually that's not true, you guys didn't interrogate me very well. You probably should have.
Verity: Okay maybe now is not the time. We'll return to that later.
Zenith: Let's give Mohr-
Mohr: I will just have a walk around the boat. You guys can find me, I know. Okay. Bye.
Jack: I- Alright.
Verity: Seems like she needs a moment.
Jack: Yeah...
Semir: I don't know that she really wants me to keep in contact, but thanks.Meanwhile, Talasea tries to puzzle out what was going on with Mohr and gathers that underneath her harsh words is a clear worry. More than that, it's hard to tell. They had never seen Mohr with anyone she had known before.
Aphid: She's just freaking out. I'm pretty sure she went on this mission to keep you safe, just based on general vibes, and what we're doing is pretty dangerous.
Semir: I don't think that's true...
Aphid: I'm going shopping for sending stones later today; if I find them, I'll send you one and convince Mohr to take one, because... It sucks to be away from your sibling and not know anything about what's happening.
Semir: Good luck with that. Mohr can be hard to convince.
Aphid: I have very high persuasion.
A Bargain
The party briefly discusses their next course of action. They decide to ask the captain of the ship if they could delay for a day. The man is an elf on the shorter side, his left hand bedecked with steel claws. They explain the various magical and mundane benefits they can offer: extra protection and hands on deck (one of whom has been sailing since literal infancy, kind of), a magical draconic steed to guard and look sick as hell, control water spells, GUST OF WIND AS A CANTRIP (thanks Charm of the Windspeaker), polymorph/wildshape into sperm whales or other aquatic creatures, and whatever the druid can figure out when they look at their spells. The captain stipulates that the assistance cannot damage the ship. The next ten to fifteen minutes is periodically interspersed with spells the druid did not realize they had. The party successfully bargains with the captain and manage to work out a deal: the captain will delay departure by 24 hours if the party agrees to work on the ship, work to hasten the ship's travel, and paySasha by the Sea
Tal slides over to Sasha to say hi. Semir has wandered off and Sasha appears to be doing his best to look busy with something, but does immediately look up at Tal's approach.Sasha: Everything alright?Meanwhile, Mohr paces about the dock, unwilling to go too far, but unable to bear being closer...
Tal: Oh, you know. Sort of very different to how we all imagined it might go. But yes, everything is sorted now. What are you doing?
Sasha: What am I doing?
Tal: Yeah, what are you doing?
Sasha: I'm... Working.
Tal: You're just holding a bunch of loose ropes.
Sasha: Well, yes. Ropes that need to be held. Until they're tied. I- What- Why are you asking?
Tal: I don't know, I just wanted to talk to you.
Sasha: Oh. Well. Stop.
Tal: Stop? What's up with you?
Sasha: I- nothing. I-
Tal: You invited me to come here so we can talk.
Sasha: Right. And now you're here. And... how are you? (he says, as though he has forgotten he did this)
Tal: I'm not doing very well, thank you for asking.
Sasha: Oh.
Tal: We sort of, between us, your ship is being delayed for one day. So I think it's sort of- well, it's a long story. We just had a conversation with the captain of your ship and arranged for passage for us all.
Sasha: frowns
Sasha: The parliamentarian is supposed to be back in-
Tal: We will be even quicker cus we have so many creative methods to speed up the ship.
Sasha, sighing: Right, the magic.
Tal: Yeah, the magic. So bad to have magic?
Sasha: It's not bad to have magic.
Tal: It's alright.
Sasha: I sound the way that I sound.
Tal: Sorry.
Sasha: Apology accepted.
Sasha: frowns
Sasha: So you're going to be on the ship with us?
Tal: Yeah. Hopefully. That's sort of our plan. We have to do many errands and convince Mohr maybe to... Calm down a little bit. I don't know.
Sasha: Right. Good luck. With that one. Seemed a little tense.
Tal: I've never seen her like that. It's really like, sad to me. But it doesn't matter. Do you- So because I know that sort of by the virtue of how things turned out, you are free tomorrow. So do you wannaaa get some-
Sasha: I still have a job to do.
Tal: Noooo :( maybe just for like half an hour?
Sasha: And there are supposed to be two guards with the parliamentarian at all times.
Tal: What if I left my dragon with your parliamentarian?
Sasha: Your dragon that I know nothing about, and neither does the parliamentarian know anything about, and, as far as I'm aware, is not trained in naval procedure?
Tal: It's true, Pearl is not trained in naval procedure. I'll give you that. You know, never mind, we have to go. Good luck with the ropes.
Sasha: Thank you. Thank you, I will... take care of these ropes.
Sasha: Well it appears that we are going to spend quite a bit of time at sea together, so I'm sure there will be... um, free moments.
Tal, flouncing off: You're very sweet. Goodbye.
Sasha, calling after him: I am not!
After the break, we return to the group locating Mohr. Jack asks Mohr if she's okay, to which she replies.
Of course.Verity suggests to Mohr that she talk to at least one person. Mohr stiffly thanks Verity for this input. Mohr expresses approval of the ship plan. The party heads back to the market. Aphid finds some sending stones that are definitely real actual sending stones. Tal gets a cloak of stars. Thomas picks up some souvenirs for Abby and Sarah. The party splits the cost of the mermaid luck stone for Jack. Talasea casts a quick Sending to check in with Abby and make sure she's good. She confirms she's good, Sarah is home, and that her favorite color is mint green. We briefly divert into a discussion of Aphid's favorite colors.
A Proposal
North Wind heads south to the Lukot Manor, just to make sure that's taken care of. Hawthorn greets them with a small amount of surprise that they're back. Aphid brings a gift basket (personalized with Summerian fabrics) for Grandmother and hands over one of the "sending stones". Grandmother shares a chilly goodbye with Aphid. She is, for whatever reason, not comforted by his mouse-sized sword. She reiterates her disappointment over Aphid's apparent disinterest in legacy. Aphid shares their plans for where they're going next and mentions that he will shortly be proposing to Mossi. Then he darts off with a kiss to the cheek. The rest of party is left in the silence. Hawthorn mercifully takes them out to the patio. Aphid heads down to the home of the Logtons (definitely not the Fencertons, they have always been the Logtons), doing his best to remember the traditional Lukot proposal. He stays in his halfling form and gently knocks on the door to the Logton home. Mr. and Mrs. Logton come out and greet Aphid.
Aphid: Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Logton. I have brought a betrothal present. To officially propose to Mossi. I had this gift basket home commissioned and I could set it up anywhere in the garden you like. A home for you, while, you know, I am on my quest. As, you know, thanks for letting me marry your kid.There is a moment in the deepening twilight, as Aphid looks down at this tiny mouse that he has known all his life, that he is not sure that this will be enough. Then Mossi comes scurrying out.
Mrs. Logton: As you may know, Mossi is currently betrothed to another. Why should we commit the height of impropriety in breaking off that engagement in order to marry our child to someone who is imminently going to leave and- rumor has it- against the wishes of their grandmother!
Aphid: Do you want Mossi to be happy or? Do you not- I mean, I grew up in and out of your house and I always kind of viewed you as second parents, considering mine were... gone.
Mrs. Logton: looks ashamed...
Mrs. Logton: rallies
Mrs. Logton: And you always have a place at our home, Aphid. But that doesn't change the fact that you're leaving. Of course we want Mossi to be happy. But how can Mossi be happy if you may not even come back?
Aphid: I will come back. That's not a question.
Mossi: Mom, I don't wanna marry him. Not Aphid, the other one. You know. I wanna marry my best friend. And you know that. I always have. And I'd rather have the worry that comes with loving someone that's doing something important than spending my life with someone that I don't love.Aphid reaches into his bag and pulls out a small wooden ring with a little hinge and a clasp, about the right size for a mouse's neck.
Mrs. Logton: looks to Mossi, a little mouse, with all the tension of a mother that wants only the best for her child
Mossi: looks back, a littler mouse, with all the defiance of a child that yearns for something that is maybe a little less certain but a little more precious
Mrs. Logton: softens
Mrs. Logton: The world is so much bigger than us, Mossi... How will you be safe if you can't hide?
Mossi: If there's one thing I know, it's that Aphid would do anything to keep me safe. Right, Aphid?
Aphid: Oh, absolutely.
Mossi: I know it's scary, but it'll be okay, mom. Also that house is really nice.
Mrs. Logton: ...are those little sconces on the outside?
Aphid: Yep, and a little door that actually latches.
Mrs. Logton: ...okay. Okay You have our blessing. And I will trust it to you to explain why we're breaking off the engagement.
Aphid: That's fair.
Mosquito Logton. Will you do me the honor of taking my hand, and becoming a Lukot in every way that matters?
I will.
Aphid helps Mossi put the ring around her neck.
Aphid and Mossi share a moment together, talking about Aphid's travel. He promises to be careful and to keep in touch. Then Aphid spends some time placing the gift house in the optimal location for the Logtons.
The party decides to depart that evening. But first, Aphid pens a quick letter to Mossi's ex-fiance, more or less reading "Sorry I stole your fiance. Mine first." It may or may not be polite enough.
Aphid drops the letter off with the family that was definitely always called the Fencertons, then scurries back to the porch to give Hawthorn a hug goodbye.
I will.
Summerian Sunset
Talasea, appearing somewhat on edge and out of it, perks up as they gather to head out. He turns his focus to drawing the teleportation circle. His magic washes a wave of stars across the circle, creating a dark mirror of water that the party jumps into. They are swept across the continent, from the cool air of the Springish evening to the heat of Felimandoo. They exit the Ember Tower, briefly greeting the Ember Tower staff member working the desk in the foyer. The party takes a moment to quickly disguise themselves with masks and scarves and Disguise Self. The party escorts Thomas back to the humble home of the Turner family. Sarah flings open the front door and rushes out to pat Thomas down. She decides to more thoroughly bully Jack for his thin disguise once everyone is inside. We end with the party in the familiar safety of the Turner home.
Report Date
06 Sep 2025
