Bounty Hunters - Session 31

Nobody's Inn

• The skeleton introduces herself as Breyonna (which was spelled Bryonna previously)
• She's really friendly, offers a root-based drink and rooms if the party will stay and talk a while
• They do chitchat a bit
  • She loooooooooooooooves puns
  • She was in Fresia and came over with the other towns
  • The party gives news of the Tithe in Viktal
    • "Oh! They're still doin' that, huh? Silly geese!"
  • She's from Kellee

Whip: Kellee? A ways away, what brought you here? Breyonna: Oh, you know, drama. Breyonna: The usual. Accused of being a witch by some jealous.... young lady. Breyonna: Innocent, of course.. It was all a long time ago, so my memory is a little foggy in that regard. Anyway, decided it was better to move on and start up a new life here. Breyonna: Lorelei really had a bone to pick with me when Ivan rejected her, I guess. Joana: Dish that tea Breyonna pours Joana some tea. Breyonna: Of course! Joana: That's not... never mind.

• • Mentions an "Ivan" who went back to "Darkkon"
    • This implies that crossing into and out of this realm is something people do more than "never", a very interesting tidbit of note for the party

Breyonna: Oh? It's one of the places beyond the mountains and the mists. There ain't a LOT of travel between regions, but there ain't NONE. Breyonna: Apparently hav'n troubles as of late, but who ain't, amirite? Fall'n plum apart he said. Breyonna: Ruler up and ABSCONDED. Breyonna: Anyway, there I go again, just as you was tryin to go to bed.

• As they're resting, they're woken by trembling.
  • "It appears to be a large cabin on a tripod of bony, giant legs. It is a structure of thorns, wicker, and giant bones on a misshapen, towerlike nest atop it. "
  • They presume this is the Gurgyl. Whip suggests they power after it, but is vetoed.
• The group finishes a rest in the Inn, and decides to move on the next morning.
  • Breyonna is sad about this, she clearly gets little in the way of company.
  • They try to track the Gurgyl, but it has left no trace of its passing. They triangulate a possible direction and wander that way a while, but give up after it clearly leads nowhere in particular.
  • "The weather here does not obey any sensible principles. The clouds sometimes stay in place while a strong wind blows, or else move while the wind is still. In fact, everything about this world seems UNNATURAL. As if it is guided by will and intention, not the natrual principles you are used to on the material plane."
• Not really landing on any solid leads, in the morning, they suddenly have an idea
  • A sending directly to Lorinda lands. As usual, it is not straightforward

Madrin: We would like to meet to negotiate a new deal for ourselves and Anise, whom we represent. We believe we can offer things of interest. Reply: Mother comes once a season, to bless the children and the wheat! Mother loves us all without reason, so give her wine, blood and meat! Madrin: So give her wine, blood and meat. For the Children! Soon to meet. Reply: Nope! Mothers' looking for her darling childs, whose lost & tired & hollow -- if you're good and if you smiled, you'll give her something to swallow! Madrin: Memories of a child lost, feelings and love from the mother tossed, willingly unto your maw. Reply: Mother's coming to the town, so put up the bright banners! Put on your suit, put on your gown, and always mind your manners!

• • • (the quote reminds them of the song sung by the children before the Tithe)
  • They rest near the shore of a lake
    • It's very strange, its mirror image seeming "off" somehow.
  • Each of the group appears different (older, or younger, or, in Elian's case, dead)
    • Madrin sees herself she was in heryouth.
    • Bern, as well, sees a girl where she expects to see a woman.
    • Whip, however, sees himself but older -- salt and pepper hair. A scarred and grizzled face. A missing tooth.
    • Joanna sees herself as the woman she would have been. No purple skin, no horns. Just the person she was.
    • Elian sees the empty eyes of a skull and the fleshless body of a skeleton in the lake's reflection.
  • Madrin composes another sending. "savory treats in the oven bake // special cakes your mother makes // tomorrow night on the Seer's Lake // The Gurgyl will your offering take"
  • Sticking a hand in the water gives it the appearance of a skeleton's hand. Retrieving the hand removes the effect.
  • They spend some time hunting for "savory treats" (in the form of wild game) while they wait for the appointed time.
  • When the moon is at its peak, a boney hut suddenly is visible on an island in the middle. They have no choice but to swim.
  • A couple of characters take in some water and feel ill, but are cured with Elian's magic.
  • Five skulls guard the gate. They reiterate the rhyming demand, and the party feeds them venison.
  • Their hunger sated, the gate opens, and the session ends.