Session 0
The World of Vaelorys
Section titled “The World of Vaelorys”“Welcome. To. Vaelorys…
A world brimming with untamed magical and chaotic elemental powers. Countless races call this planet’s varied landscapes, climates, and locales home - bringing with them art, culture, and life to this broad world.
In the year Nine Hundred And Twenty Post-Departure,Vaelorys is a flourishing and thriving world full of civilizations, heroes, and legends, it would be easy to believe that this must be the apex of it’s history, but that would be a lie. Even a not-so-keen eye would spot; littered across Vaelorys’ landscapes, the scars left by The Cataclysm; a long past war between the Gods that resulted in the construction of The Raven Ward; a powerful magical lattice that prevents Divine Beings from physically entering the Material Plane - limiting them to exuding influence through their most devout followers instead. In their absence; Mortal life has slowly but surely rebuilt.
On this lively and storied planet; our focus for this story is the North Western continent of Otheria. To it’s North we have the frigid and harsh lands of Stahn - a combative country made up of a hardy people, whilst to it’s South lies a vibrant and colourful land known as the Paradisian Coast - where a sea-farer’s wildest dreams await.
To the East; across the Desert Of Despair, lies the mysterious country of Orsana - due to their treacherous sands, not much is known about their culture or people outside of the trade they make with the people of Otheria.
Lastly, we turn to the landlocked country of Terick; home of the Vaena Kingdom; named after Terick Vaena I who colonised these lands in the 2nd Century Post-Divergence. The Vaena Family now rule from the capital city of Zenytha in it’s North East where the land is highest, whilst agricultural practices are localised to the South Western regions.
It is here; on a Winter Fronmark morning, that our story begins in the small drinking town of Rookwell. The town was once the agricultural centre of the Kingdom, but after the Eastern town of Rainmark was built, the town’s folk pivoted towards developing it’s four competing taverns.”
Jin entered the town of Rookwell via the North Eastern road; after camping a few miles out of town to avoid passing through big cities. He noticed a Human Woman speaking to some people outside a shop labelled Julio’s Goods and Wares, before a large figure exiting the nearby Sorrowseed Pub caught his attention. The large figure was wearing decorated plate armour and looked to be a worthy fighter; so Jin approached him.
The large, Leonin male awoke in the town of Rookwell after arriving just after sundown the previous night. The scent of unfamiliar pastries, meats, and other foodstuffs drew him downstairs for a mighty breakfast. Exiting the Sorrowseed Pub; he was approached by a Human male with void black eyes which caught him a little off guard. After brief introductions, Graxious agreed to show Jin the way to the Town Hall.
Upon approaching Rookwell’s town centre; they saw a huge Goliath male and a Human companion being scolded by a Elvish male.
Aurevald and Morgyn; who had arrived in the late hours of the previous night and placed fliers up around town before renting a room at the Willow Inn. The pair of traveling merchants began their morning with a large crowd drawn around their cart; many of whom were surprised by the effectiveness of their potions.
They were suddenly approached by a pair of Elves; seemingly related, with the elder of the two scolding the pair of salespeople.
“You’re in the way of my shop! I’ve been here for decades and now you want to push me out in a single night - typical behaviour of less civilized individuals I might guess…”
- The older Elvish Man to Aurevald and Morgyn
“Uh hey - you lot. Please move your cart before he really gets mad…”
- The younger Elvish Man to Aurevald and Morgyn
Aurevald apologized and lifted their cart towards the centre of town; with the crowd following behind them. The pair caught the attention of Graxious and Jin who inquired about their wares.
The Finest Wares
Section titled “The Finest Wares”Jin and Graxious noticed the fliers posted around the town and were curious about the wares. Despite some excellent salespersonship by Aurevald and Morgyn, Jin remained skeptical about the quality of their wares and decided not to purchase anything for the time being.
A tense moment followed as it looked that Aurevald and Jin would come to blows before they were interrupted by a Human male waking up from the side of the path near them.
SHAI awoke in Rookwell after what had been a very exciting experience the previous day. He made sure to try each of the town’s famous beverages and even attempted to mix them together; to the disgust of the other town’s folk. He began to recall making his way back to a room before losing his balance and sleeping on the ground instead. Despite some stiffness/soreness, SHAI didn’t seem to feel any worse-for-wear and began his day by inquiring at the Town Hall regarding their Raider problem.
The Town Hall
Section titled “The Town Hall”Aurevald and Morgyn moved onto serving new customers whilst Jin and Graxious spoke with SHAI about their purposes for being in town. When the three realized that they were all there for the same reason; they headed to see the Sheriff together. Once their cart had run out of useable stock; Morgyn also informed Aurevald that she had business at the Town Hall as well.
Morgyn and Aurevald ran into Jin, Graxious, and SHAI once again. The doors finally opened and they were greeted by a Half-Elf named Sam Braelon; the Sheriff’s Assistant. Both groups were informed that there were no appointments with the Sheriff at the moment but he would come fetch them from the Ironwood Tavern if a cancellation happened.
Morgyn headed to the outskirts of town to gather raw materials for new stock, Aurevald locked up their cart and headed to the Ironwood Tavern, whilst Graxious, Jin, and SHAI visited the Flamekeeper’s Forge before heading to the Tavern.
Lady awoke in the Ironwood Tavern after failing to get the right opportunity the previous night. She sat at a table in the back of the bar room and watched her target; a man in light plate armor, speak to another man with white hair. She noticed their bartender; a lady with blonde hair, seemed to be fond of them when offering them drinks.
Lady made her way up to the bar and ordered a cider; the bartender accepted the order whilst taking drinks to two other tables. She placed a tankard down in front of a Tiefling male with Red skin and Black hair who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.
Axton had been in Rookwell for over a week but came down with some unknown infection his first night in town; leaving him bedridden. He had started feeling better the previous evening and this morning was his first day out of bed in over 7 days.
The blonde bartender brought him a cider on-the-house and he offered her some gold for information about the Raiders that had been attacking the town; unfortunately she didn’t have much to provide him. Axton thanked her anyway; giving her a gold piece, and accepted the beverage before returning to his thoughts. He noticed the Half-Elf woman at the bar in white robes - matching her snow white hair, the crimson tips of which stood as stark contrast to her attire but didn’t pay her too much mind.
Gathering Intel
Section titled “Gathering Intel”Lady thanked the bartender for the drink and asked questions about the town and the two men at that table. She learned that they frequently travelled through Rookwell, but only during the journeys for work - she admitted to not knowing too much about them, outside of that they pay well and liked to be left alone.
Oops! My Bad!!
Section titled “Oops! My Bad!!”The entire Ironwood Tavern heard a loud THUD as Aurevald entered and hit his head on a low beam between the foyer and bar room. The Goliath male apologized as everyone turned their attention towards a tankard that exploded behind the bar.
Aurevald used Mage Hand to pickpocket the white haired man’s pockets and found a small Ruby and some silver. Aurevald was pretty confident nobody in the room noticed this happen and offered to pay for a round of drinks for everyone. He downed a tankard himself before striking up conversation with Lady and Axton; the latter of which seemed less-than-thrilled to be distracted from his thoughts.
Flamekeeper’s Forge
Section titled “Flamekeeper’s Forge”Meanwhile; at the Flamekeeper’s Forge, SHAI, Jin, and Graxious noticed the sounds of someone snoring quite loudly before seeing a sign on the door saying “I’M SLEEPIN’… BUGGER OFF…”
Jin took the time to investigate the external components of the forge whilst Graxious wrote down the events of the morning so far. SHAI confused the pair with terms like “Femboy” and “Connor Williams, The Dungeon Master” before shrugging it off like they wouldn’t understand what he was talking about.
Morgyn returned from town after around an hour of collecting ingredients and bumped into the trio at the forge; now on their way to the Ironwood Tavern. Jin noted that he respected Morgyn; who was now covered in dirt, for collecting the materials herself.
The Gang’s All Here!
Section titled “The Gang’s All Here!”Morgyn, Graxious, Jin, and SHAI found their way to the Ironwood Tavern, and began to converse and drink with their comrades. Morgyn headed to rent a room whilst Graxious and Jin compared the ciders on offer. Axton was still uncomfortable with Aurevald’s chummy demeanour and did his best to tune out the additional people in the room.
As Morgyn began to head up the stairs; Sam Braelon opened the door to the tavern and asked if they were free from an audience with the Town Sheriff; Mr Gavyen Theos. The Half-Elf gestured for anyone interested to follow him. Before anyone could react; everyone in the Ironwood Tavern began to hear the sound of hooves on the ground and people began to yell for help.
“Raiders! Raiders!! HELP! They’re back!!!”
- Unknown Townsfolk yelling from the Town Centre