Benearth Stars and Shadows

Beneath Stars and Shadows

As dawn broke over the High Glade, Ashryn stirred from a particularly vivid dream, one that had been painted with lessons from her mentor, Master Enwon. He had always insisted that the secret to awakening a knot stone lay in the perfect harmony of breath and gesture. Fueled by inspiration, she hurriedly jotted down her thoughts in her trusty notebook. Meanwhile, Toma, ever the curious one, noticed her unusual breathing patterns and wandered over to investigate. Jared, the resident pragmatist, confirmed Toma's observations but was more focused on the day’s preparations, likely because someone had to be the responsible adult in this group.

In the corner, Chupbacca knelt in prayer, wrestling with doubts about his past attempts to connect with his deity. Jared took this moment to enlighten Toma about meditation, which he claimed was essential for personal growth and understanding—though it mostly seemed like an excuse to avoid doing dishes.

Once the group was ready to hit the road, they descended from the chilly mountains into a sunny meadow, where they stumbled upon Hollis Bramblewick, a traveler with a cart that looked like it could use a good scrub. Ashryn struck up a conversation about falling stars, which somehow morphed into a discussion about trade. Hollis had a delightful assortment of oddities, including a driftwood compass and a star catcher's spoon. Ashryn, intrigued by the possibility of tomes or scrolls, engaged in a negotiation dance with Hollis, while Chupbacca, in a display of generosity, offered food and a disguise kit in exchange for some of Hollis’s treasures.

Amidst the bartering, Jared and Toma delved into a heartfelt discussion about forgiveness, proving that even adventurers have their moments of introspection. Chupbacca, in a bid for strength, traded a memory for a pewter bell from a peddler, who, in a twist of fate, asked for a true story from his past. Chupbacca shared a tale of betrayal, exposing his scars—both physical and emotional—reminders of his previous life as an assassin. Jared, ever the comforting figure, reassured him that everyone has their burdens, emphasizing the importance of moving forward together, which sounded very much like a motivational poster slogan.

As the peddler prepared to leave, he warned the party to steer clear of the mine, which immediately sparked their curiosity about the potential dangers lurking there. Toma recited a cryptic poem about a “wither bound,” hinting at a sinister entity connected to the mine. The group soon discovered a tree with pale white bark and withering vines, which Toma identified as wither bind vines. Jared turned to Ashryn, asking if she could conjure sunlight to combat the vines, but she hesitated, unsure of her abilities. Nevertheless, the party decided to brave the mine while there was still daylight, planning to set up camp before venturing in.

As night fell, the group established their campsite and engaged in some storytelling, which is basically the adventurer's version of a campfire sing-along. Chupbacca shared a tale about Elias the Shadow, a spy whose moral dilemmas led him to become a mercenary. Jared encouraged Chupbacca to learn from his past and take charge of his future actions, which was nice of him considering they were all a bit of a mess.

The group reflected on their fellowship theme, discussing perseverance and teamwork as they braced themselves for the challenges ahead. Ashryn took a moment to read the stars, warning Chupbacca of potential dangers looming in the future, which granted him an alert tag—because who doesn’t want a heads-up about impending doom? Inspired by the celestial patterns, she decided to prototype a new spell called "blinding starlight." Meanwhile, Jared pondered his wartime experiences, contemplating the losses he had endured and their lasting impact, and he engaged Toma in conversation, likely bracing himself for the boy's inevitable questions about the day’s shenanigans.

As the night wore on, the group made strategic decisions regarding their power tags. Jared opted for two power tags instead of risking a roll for four, while Chupbacca chose to create a new tag without rolling—because why gamble when you can just play it safe? Ashryn's circumstance leveled up, allowing her to add a new tag to her auto pilgrimage. United in their quest and fortified by their shared experiences, the party prepared to face the unknown challenges that awaited them, armed with a mix of courage, camaraderie, and a sprinkle of humor.