Session 11

Arriving back at the Capital/Hounded by Spirits

The rest of the day after meeting with the NPCs is uneventful. The third day, the party can't help but sense that they are constantly being watched, and that the wilderness is threatening to them: The consequence of them being further tuned into the realm of the Spirits. They end up being attacked by plants and spirits. Opening

After the fateful encounter with Michael, Anahe and Donovan, the rest of the day remains uneventful. Eventually, the party decides to stop and rest for the night. After going to shore, Nadyn starts climbing out of the boat to secure it. The party is given time to reflect on the day's events and their plan once they arrive at the capital.

Spirits Attack

The party got into the boat once again for another day on the river. The day was like last--sunny with some clouds, fitting weather for the early-mid summer.   Yet, even though the day is as gorgeous as last, not everything was perfect as it seemed. Though the river appeared unchanged physically, as the day progressed, things started seeming off. First, it was the heat shimmers. While ordinarily minor annoyances at most, the fluctuations grew more and more obnoxious to one's vision the further the sun rose. Then, the droning of summer insects grew louder and louder, going from ignorable background noise to a constant headache. And then there was the river itself-- the gentle sound of the waves, instead of being a source of relaxation, came across as obnoxious swishes that sabotaged one's ability to think.   Still, there were further layers to this cacophony--past the buzzing and the rushing of water was the rustling of leaves in the wind. Whenever the wind picked up was completely unpredictable, the party only aware of its presence once they were startled by an old tree's creaking. It granted no relief in the summer heat--The chill it provided with each occurrence grew more icy and bone-chilling, and as the latest one raced across the river, goosebumps erupted across the party's skin.   [On an AC 14 perc check, a PC can hear whispers in the wind]   The sense of unease rised higher and higher, to the point that not even retreating to one's own mind felt safe. The faintest touch of anxiety and paranoia was upon the party. You swear something is watching you. You swear someone is watching you.

A pixie casts detect thoughts on Fanna. On either a pass or fail, Fanna knows someone is trying to probe into their mind.   A Water Weird attempts a constrict check on Brooks, grappling him and pulling him into the water. At this moment, the plants on the shore closest to the boat begin attacking--Vines reach down and grab at the party, and leaves soar straight through the air to slice the party's skin like razors.   After the Spirits Attack

After everything settles down and there is peace once more, the party resumes their boating expedition. Even though they aren't actively being attacked, the feeling that they are being watched never quite goes away. This unease continues for the rest of the day, even as they see the skyline of the capital in the distance, and the dock where they first got their boat. As they approach they see the man they rented the boat from standing on the dock, under the direct light of late afternoon.

Returning the boat

Upon returning the boat, the boatkeeper engages in typical small talk--asking how the party's trip was. After returning it, he thanks the party and wishes them a good day, and to enjoy the capital.

As the party walks into the city, it doesn't take long for them to notice something--It is incredibly loud. Not only is there the chattering of tourists and everyday citizens, but the addition of ceaseless whispering. The alarm the party felt at the river does not go away, and in fact only makes itself further at home. Even while avoiding crowds of people and busy market streets, the city feels stuffy, dense, and crowded. Everything seems larger than life, as if someone took a dial and turned up every sensation to max. The city, just like the river, is alive, so much so that it is overwhelming.

Letters from Michael and Thien's parents

In the midst of this headache, a flock of birds circles over the party's head. Two birds make their way down to eye level. They hover in front of the party, envelopes apparent in their beaks.

Thien's Letter

My beloved son, it brings me joy to hear from you once again! Has everything been okay since you set out on your little expedition? Have you been eating alright? Have you been in good health? Do make sure to eat your greens! Even though I am not physically present, I can still remind you to eat properly!   Your father and I are well. With the approaching festival, work has picked up quite a bit. I do hope you aren't lonely and have found a nice group of adventureres to travel with. If things have been stressful, you will not have to fret much longer. I'm happy to tell you that after some careful planning and making a few arrangements, your father and I will be able to come to the capital to celebrate the Kite Flying Festival with you! By the time you read this letter, we should already be on our way there. We'll be staying in the inn we stayed in our last visit.   My most precious treasure, Mom

Letter from Michael

Hello adventurers! If the spirits do not lie, I believe by the time you are reading this letter, you should be back in the capital. I'm sure you have some further questions after our last discussion. After you read this letter, come see me at the cafeteria by the park. I'll be sitting outside with my lovely assistant Anahe. And come hungry, their mochi cakes are delicious! Just try not to make as large of a mess as last time ;)   ~ Michael

Meeting with Michael

Michael discusses the deal with seeing Nadyn weekly. Though he does not mind mentoring Nadyn, the time it takes to give his lessons will take away from his ability to do other work, so he will need payment of some sort.   Michael explains that the party has accumulated enough power in their adventures that the world of Spirits is more perceiveable to them. Usually a great, life-altering event is the catalyst for this sharp rise in power, such as slaying a powerful foe in combat. This is why the world is suddenly much more chaotic and noisy to the party-they are now perceiving another type of existence. He asks the party if they got into rough fights while further upriver, which would be a probable explanation for their heightened awareness of the spiritual.   He also remarks that the ancient crane spirit feather is something that anyone looking to cultivate their powers would seek. This explains why the party was attacked back at the river: A variety of Spirits were competing to claim ownership of the feather. He warns the party to keep a close hold on the feather as a result.   Michael opens his jacket to reveal countless talisman and charms from past clients(Fulu) on the lining and in his pockets. He remarks that he can give the party some talisman, but it will take some time for him to prepare them. The party, meanwhile, can acquire charms elsewhere, but they are most effective when the charms are handmade, the giver has a substantial connection with the receiver, and they put their very heart and soul into the charm.   He can give the party temporary talismans to help allieve their stress, but their powers will gradually wear off in the next day. Luckily, it should be enough time for him to prepare some for them.   He tells the party he'll be all around the capital for the next several days, and should they have any more questions, to contact him with the sending stone he hands them. The sending stone is active until the end of the Kite Flying Festival.   He leaves off with a word of advice: He is not the only spirit medium in the world, and with a big cultural gathering like the Kite Flying Festival happening, many more like him are roaming around the city. Not all of them do their work with the purest intentions, and will likely notice the party and their growing abilities. The party should keep a careful and open mind going forward.   He also tells the party he suspects Donovan would be home by now if the they would like to begin making things up to him.

Donovan's Apartment

When the party walks to Donovan's apartment, they notice that it has relatively few decorations compared to the others. As they walk up to the door, they hear two voices: Donovan and Joanna.   Upon entering Donovan's apartment, the various hanging vines that grow along the living room surge forward and start wrapping around the party. Donovan frantically starts shooing them away, apologizing.   The party notices the hanging vines that were present last time are even more numerous, spreading from the living room to the hallway and presumably the room in there to the kitchen. The vines have noticeably tied themselves into intricate, decorative knots.   Joanna and Donovan appear to have been talking and eating dinner together. Joanna was asking Donovan his plans for the Kite Flying Festival, and invites him to hang out with her and his other coworkers. He sounds hesitant, as he mostly planned to stay in during the festival and work on his research. Joanna sounds disappointed, asking if he'll at least be able to spend time with his family, but Donovan assures her he'll be okay.   Joanna excitedly invites the party to eat with them. Either way, the party is left on their own for a bit as Joanna and Donovan talk quietly amongst themselves. Joanna then stops to ask the party about their adventures searching for the River Dragon's Pearl--either way, she tells the party she'll arrange for each of them to receive 100 gold for their troubles, not as much for successfully retrieving the pearl, but some for undertaking the ordeal. She then bids everyone goodbye, leaving the party together with Donovan.   Donovan says to the party that the spirit medium told him to expect the party to show up and is curious as to what they have to say.   Upon being asked what help he could possibly need, he thinks it over for a minute, then asks the party if they could buy things for him. He gives them a list: The party notices it seems to be less specialized equipment and more household items: Food and pantry, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and interestingly, distilled water.   Either way, upon the party's return, Donovan thanks them and asks if they're still interested in him upgrading their focuses.