Saturday 28 May 2016

Glossary & Character Sheets

Before the next stage of the story begins, a quick recap is in order. I want to show the adventuring party’s up-to-date character sheets together in one place. First, I want to do a quick glossary of important information about the setting as we have seen it in the story so far.

Glossary

The year is 997 YK.

The Silver Flame
A disembodied force of pure goodness and law. It is concerned with the struggle against evil and corruption, particularly against the demons released by Khyber eons ago. It has little interest in the struggles of mortals, but has learned to communicate with the sentient races of Eberron within the last thousand years.
The Church of the Silver Flame
A religion that worships the Flame, practised mainly in the human nations of Khorvaire. Symbolised by a silver-blue flame sigil.
Purified
The followers of the Church.
The Keeper of the Flame
The head of the Church.
The Templars of the Silver Flame
Militant arm of the Church. The longbow is the favoured weapon of templars. Symbolised by a silver arrowhead covered in blue flame.
Khyber
The underworld of Eberron. In legend, one of the Progenitor Dragons, that slew her sister Siberys and was imprisoned within Eberron as punishment; hence also The Dragon Below. Many demons and worse, created by Khyber, are imprisoned in its depths.
Khorvaire
The most populous continent of Eberron.
The Five Nations
The human nations of Khorvaire, though their population is only around 70% human. Aundair, Breland, Cyre, Thrane, Karrnath.
Thrane
A theocracy ruled by the Keeper of the Flame, run by an executive Council.
Thaliost
A city in the north of Thrane. Formerly part of Aundair, it was captured during the Last War. Its citizens still view Thrane as occupiers, and there is a substantial rebel movement in the city that has recently escalated into open conflict.
The Last War
A war between the Five Nations that lasted over 100 years, ended in 996 YK.
The Mourning
The cataclysmic event that destroyed the entire nation of Cyre in 994 YK.
The Twelve
The twelve principle Dragonmarked houses of Eberron. These are multinational corporations rather than hereditary families; it is shared business interests and the technology made possible by the dragonmarks, one for each house, that bind them together.
House Phiarlan
One of the Twelve, House Phiarlan is an elven house that carries the Mark of Shadow. Its business interests lie in entertainment and the arts and, less openly, espionage. Its sigil is a five-headed hydra.
The Blood of Vol
A religion in Khorvaire, that believes in struggle against the mortality inflicted on mortals by the gods, and that mortal blood is the path to immortality. Banned in Thrane but practiced openly in the other Nations. Undead often hold positions of power within the Blood.

Characters

Now, here’s our adventuring party. Some details have never been determined so some parts will be vague, leaving it open to add details later that tie into a plot or situation.

Anaya - Cleric(3). Damage d6, hit points 17.
Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
9 0 13 +1 9 +0 15 +1 16 +2 13 +1

Alignment: Good: Endanger yourself to heal another

Race: Human (Church of the Silver Flame): Damage against fiends and lycanthropes is d8

Moves: Commune, Cast a Spell, Turn Undead, Divine Guidance, Scales of Life and Death, Serenity

Equipment: Bow, short sword, chainmail, shield

Physical description: 27 years old, 5’6”, brown hair. Always appears in her Templar uniform: chainmail covered by a white tabard bearing the arrowhead sigil of the Flame, and a bow slung at her back.

Background: Anaya is the younger daughter of a noble family from one of the Five Nations (not Cyre). She gave up that life to become a Templar due to feeling a personal connection to the Flame.

Esthana - Fighter(1)/Exorcist of the Silver Flame(1). Damage d10, hit points 25.
Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
13 +1 16 +2 15 +1 9 +0 13 +1 8 -1

Alignment: Good: Defend those weaker than yourself

Race: Half-elf: Precise with short swords

Moves: Bend Bars Lift Gates, Armoured, Signature weapon: Short sword, Weapon of the Exorcist

Equipment: Flametouched Iron short sword

Description: 29 years old, 5’6”, can pass for human if her ears aren’t visible; physically fit, strong and nimble. Clothing TBD since she just lost her uniform.

Background: born in Eston in Cyre, Esthana joined the army at 17, and served for nine years during the Last War, primarily on the front line against Karrnath where she faced both human and undead enemies. She lost her home, (we presume) her family, and her nation on the day of the Mourning. A follower of the Silver Flame, she made her way to Thrane and, due to her faith and military experience, was accepted into the army there. After having a near-death religious experience, she is now called to fight for the Flame against the cults of Khyber; as a result she deserted from the army.

I have been short-changing Esthana a little on her combat mechanics. Initially I wrote longbow on her character sheet as her signature weapon, but didn’t give her the special weapon that that entitles her to; I was thinking that it could be a found or gifted thing. Rereading chapter 1, I realised I described her shortsword as a Flametouched Iron weapon, so let’s make that her special weapon; that fits with the Weapon of the Exorcist that she gets levelling up, which is meant to be the weapon with which she killed the evil creature. Okay, so her shortsword is now:

  • Wreathed in silver fire; it deals +1d6 damage to evil beings.
  • Sharp. +2 piercing.
  • Unblemished.
  • Cannot be lost permanently.

All her other gear was taken away by the army when she was arrested recently.

Vaalyun d’Phiarlan - Dragonmarked(2). Damage d4, hit points 17.
Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
8 -1 13 +1 9 +0 16 +2 12 +0 16 +2

Alignment: Neutral: Use your house’s reputation to help yourself

Race: Elf, Dragonmark of Shadows: Shadows and Darkness

Moves: Favoured in House, All in the Family, By Hospitality Sustained, Summon Living Dragonmark, Hireling: Loyalty +1, Beautiful, Group, Stealthy, Athletic

Equipment: Concealed dagger, tailored leather armour, image projector, scrying stone, valuable rings

Description: 50 years old, 5’5”. Either wears a formal green robe embroidered with red hydra’s heads (the symbol of his house); or a less ostentatious green jacket of similar design, worn over tailored leather armour and under a dark cloak.

Background: He serves as a Shadow, one of House Phiarlan’s spies; he seeks valuable information that he can trade for influence within the House. He spent five years as its agent in Thaliost, doing work for the garrison commander there, but recently crossed the commander by helping Esthana escape from the jail.

I want to add a fourth character.

Money

For the type of story I’m telling, money isn’t really what it’s about, so I’m not accounting the small stuff. Esthana has no money at all right now (the army would have been paying her, but seized her stuff when she deserted); Anaya would have only a little, as Templars usually just depend on the local Church for places to stay and food.

Going by the guidance given for House Phiarlan, the sort of job Vaalyun did for Anaya & Stamos would be worth 1000-10000gp (offscreen, he did get paid before busting Estana out); and we established that he worked for the Commander before, so he has been collecting 1000s of gold on jobs before. Let’s say he has 5000gp, mostly in the bank. He can use his class moves to draw on more, potentially a lot more if he can give a good reason for it and meet the requirements.

I.7: The Shadow

Thaliost
Eyre 25, 997 YK

As Esthana awoke, she could hear someone talking nearby. The voice was elven, male, and seemed familiar.

Investigate(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 2) +2 = 6 Failure!
Front: Attack someone directly

The party has failed to connect the Blood and the rebels in the city, and the violence has escalated.

“I searched the rest of the private crypt after you left, but found nothing else of value. I suspect any information of value was in the priestess’ chamber, but nothing survived the fire.”

I had a long gap before Vaalyun entered the vampire fight scene, because I imagine he turned right when Anaya turned left. He went after the attendant, who had run to the priestess’ room and was burning the papers there. Let’s see if he managed to save anything from the fire.

Defy Danger(CON)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 2) +0 = 6 Failure!
Reveal an unwelcome truth

“It is a pity that we could not stop him. But we could not let the vampire escape.” It was Anaya’s voice, and Esthana felt a wave of relief at the sound of it.

She recognised the other voice as Vaalyun now. He said, “Perhaps the Archbishop will get more information from the priestess.”

The Archbishop—Thrane’s appointed governor of the city—has a reputation in the setting; all the stuff around the inhabitants of the city hating Thrane are at least partly driven by the harsh martial law he imposes to maintain order. Past Conflict, Present Intrigue

Defy Danger(CHA)(Anaya): 2D6(4 2) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome

“The Archbishop is a hard man,” said Anaya. “He wanted to hang all the cultists, publically, two each day for a month. I hate to speak ill of one of the Church, but he has passed beyond zeal into cruelty. I at least convinced him to spare the common worshippers; they will be expelled from the city.”

Esthana opened her eyes. She was in a bed, in an austere stone cell, with sunlight shining in from a large casement window. The narrow bed and hard pillow, the white sheets, told her that she was in the Garrison, though this was not her own bed: like most soldiers she had a bunk in one of the dormitories.

“I have been in Thaliost for five years, and served the Garrison often,” said Vaalyun. “But this city will never truly be part of Thrane while it imposes such martial law. The common folk care nothing for the arguments of the Flame and the Blood. There was worse rioting last night, and these hangings will surely provoke more. There are parts of the city where the army now only dares to go in force.”

“I must go to Flamekeep, on this and other matters,” said Anaya, “though I will wait to see Esthana well. I will report to my superiors, and perhaps the matter can be raised with the Council.”

Esthana stirred, turning her head to look at them, and they became aware of her. “Esthana!” Anaya exclaimed, jumping up from a chair at a simple wooden desk under the window; she came immediately to the bedside, smiling. “It is so good to see you awake.” The cleric spontaneously hugged her.

Esthana expected to wince, but she felt no pain. She should have had broken ribs and worse after the blows that the vampire dealt her, back in the crypt. She felt sore, exhausted, still tired, like she had been out on campaign for a month—something that had happened a few times during the War.

Anaya let her go, but was still talking. “I thought the vampire had crippled you or worse with that final stroke. But after I healed you, I found that you had few serious injuries; I think you will fine after a few days of rest. I must thank you—”

“Anaya,” interrupted Esthana, fixing her with a stare. When she paused, Esthana added, “I spoke with the Flame.”

Sat on the side of the bed, she described the vision—if that was the right term. When she described Tira and the Flame, Anaya knelt and put a hand to the holy symbol around her neck, smile replaced by awe. Vaalyun took the seat at Anaya’s desk and listened intently, leaning forwards with arched fingers, the sunlight from the window glinting off of his rings. At the mention of the cult of Khyber, Anaya looked up and met her eyes.

I have to either get Vaalyun to go along with their new mission, or replace him. He wasn’t all that interesting at level 1, to be honest, but as he gets more moves he may get better. I’ll try to keep him. Adventurers struggling together.

When she was done, Vaalyun spoke first. “It is like speaking to your ancestors, hearing their guidance. Perhaps your elven heritage enabled you to do this.”

Anaya turned, clearly annoyed. “The Flame is an eternal power, a force of pure good—”

“I meant no offense, templar. I merely note that this is a common practice amongst the elves, though we of the Five Nations generally do not follow that faith. Advice from those that lived through ages past can contain great wisdom.”

“The Flame is more than just an observer in such matters,” said Anaya. “The Flame gave a vision to me as well, the night after the crypt. It’s guidance is sadly vague though; it knows little of the mortal world. The clearest image was the dragon of Khyber, and its minions, stirring in the darkness. Clearly the Flame was trying to warn me of the same thing that it told to you.”

“Some danger stirs, and we must stop it,” said Esthana.

If the Flame chose Esthana to do this, I think it wants Anaya to go with her. We’ve established that the Flame can communicate with, and only with, its servants, and Anaya is one of them.

“Yes, that is clear. We should start by going to Flamekeep; perhaps someone in the Order of Templars knows where to begin. And, in light of your choice to serve, you should join the Templars.”

Esthana thought for a moment. “Yes, I suppose I am called to it.”

GM move(soft): Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask

“Normally, one needs a recommendation from a minister, a templar and a friar. The chaplain of your unit here would serve for a minister; I don’t suppose you know any friars?”

“No,” said Esthana. “Some come to Thaliost, hoping to convert the masses, but usually the only time soldiers see them is when we have to save them from getting lynched—and then send them home before they cause more trouble. I knew a few friars in Cyre, years ago, but I do not know of any that survived.”

“Well, I think that, in the circumstances, we should be able to persuade them to admit you anyway.”

“Perhaps I will join you,” said Vaalyun. Both women turned to look at him; after a moment he continued. “Thaliost is getting a little too violent for my liking. The city needs the services of House Deneith’s soldiers, not my entertainers; those that can are leaving the city.”

“Are we still pretending that you are an entertainer?” said Anaya.

Vaalyun waved a hand dismissively. “My inquisitive work is less useful now as well; the Archbishop has plenty of prisoners to interrogate, and my agents cannot move safely about the streets now.

”But I do owe you an explanation; you have shared a great deal of information with me. It is a rarity to do business with such guileless people. Information is my business; while House Phiarlan’s interests lie in the arts, it is also one of the Twelve Houses, and the houses trade information and work together to advance common interests. I informed them about the activities of the Blood in the city as a result of our work this week, and my contact is sure that the Twelve will be greatly concerned by their rising strength.

“Also,” he said, speaking more quietly and to Esthana in particular, “you did save my life in the crypt; and we freed Ievos from the Blood, thanks to your actions. For that I thank you. And I think that the Flame may be steering you towards something important—something that may affect the safety of all of Khorvaire. The Twelve will want to know of it. Let me accompany you, and you will have a little of their resources at your disposal.”

Okay, I think we are done with the story of Thaliost here. What does the future look like? Well, our adventurers took out the main Blood base that was supplying the rebels with weapons, and delivered its priestess. The party didn’t figure out the plot, but the Archbishop will probably torture his prisoner and get the information eventually. So the immediate threat of a Blood-backed revolution here is foiled.

But they failed everything else: there are no leads on the rebels or other Blood cells (no pun intended). So the Blood may still achieve their aim, whatever it was, by other means; and there is escalating violence on the streets. Thaliost is going to have a bad time.


Esthana wants out of the army; the leverage is that the Commander wants to be seen to be helpful to the Templars.

Parley(Esthana): 2D6(2 1) -1 = 2 Failure!
Offer Aid from an Enemy, or Opposition from an Ally

“This is blasphemous!” Commander Stamos stood up from behind his desk, red-faced and gesturing. “In all my years of service, I have never heard a soldier talk such nonsense.”

“Commander, I—” Anaya began.

Show the Devastation of the Last War. Some readers may have thought that Esthana didn’t get a very bad deal from her Last Breath. But she is a refugee from Cyre, a country destroyed in the Mourning, so there is no place in the Five Nations that she can call home but here. The deal requires her to give it up.

“And I am astounded, Lady Anaya, to find you involved in this madness. This soldier has either lost her senses, or has concocted this ‘vision’as a convenient excuse to escape her duties. Must I remind her,” he said, pointedly, “that she was only given leave to remain in Thrane because she offered to join the army. Now, when it no longer suits her, she throws our generosity back in our faces. These Cyrean refugees have been nothing but trouble.”

It was Anaya’s turn to be angry. “With all due respect Commander, the expulsion of refugees was a dishonour to the Flame. The ministry argued strongly for compassion—”

“And if they had had their way, we would be harbouring every vagabond in the Five Nations. Fortunately good sense prevailed.”

“I must go to Flamekeep,” said Esthana. “Anaya will take me there, and I will submit to the judgement of the Templars.”

“No. You presume too much, Lady Anaya, to think that I would allow you to encourage this kind of insubordination. I have given you my cooperation, but this goes much too far. If the Templars want this blasphemer, they can request her transfer to Flamekeep through the Council. In the meantime, we will hold her here. Guards!”

Two soldiers entered. Anaya looked at Esthana helplessly.

“Throw this deserter in the cells,” said the Commander.


Use up their resources

They took her tabard and chainmail. Esthana owned little; most of what she had was provided by Thrane’s army, so its loss made her feel like she had nothing left in the world. But she regretted nothing—she was lucky to be alive, and she had a purpose here. Somehow, she would find a way to do what must be done.

Reveal an unwelcome truth: Guess who else is in the cells?

The prison in the garrison was busy; with the recent violence on the streets, there were plenty of prisoners being held here. The guards put her in a large cell with about twelve other prisoners—a rough looking crowd.

“Well look who we have here.” A woman, towards the back of the cell, stood up, looking at Esthana carefully.

Defy Danger(CHA)(Esthana): 2D6(1 5) -1 = 5 Failure!

Even without her tabard, Esthana was wearing her army issue trousers and padded gambeson. It was clear what she was to anyone that cared to look.

The woman approached closer. She was in her forties, with long dark hair and a defiant air about her. Her shoulder was bandaged from some recent injury. Then Esthana remembered: it was her sword that gave this woman her injury; she was the leader of the rioters outside the shop.

“I didn’t think I would get a chance at revenge so soon. Balinor is kind today.” The woman smiled, then said, “Hold her.”

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(3 1) +2 = 6 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

Two of her thugs, from either side, grabbed Esthana, holding her arms. The woman produced a shiv from under her jacket. “Make it quick, before the guards come,” said one of the thugs.

Defy Danger(STR)(Esthana): 2D6(2 5) +1 = 8
Worse outcome: only partially free
Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(5 1) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Deals d10=1 damage; takes d6=6 damage

Esthana is at 7/25 HP.

Esthana tore free of the grip of one of the thugs holding her. The woman lunged at her, and Esthana felt a sharp pain as the shiv was driven into her gut. She cried out, hoping to attract the guards’ attention. With her free arm, she punched the woman, breaking her nose.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
Rebel does d6=4 damage to her ally

The woman came at her again. Esthana twisted free of the other thug’s grasp at the last moment and ducked, leaving the thug to take the stab from the woman’s shiv. He grunted in pain.

“Okay, that’s enough.” There were guards at the cell entrance, turning the key. Esthana backed up to the bars, a hand to the injury in her side. The injured thug slumped to the floor, badly wounded.


The guards moved Esthana to a cell on her own, and bandaged her wound. There was a crude wooden bunk there, stained sheets, and a small grating letting in light from outside.

She had expected to see Anaya, but the hours passed and no-one came. The confinement gave Esthana time to think. Perhaps Anaya had gone to Flamekeep as she had planned, and would appeal to the Templars there. If they declined, would she come back? Or would Esthana be left to face the army’s justice on her own? Her thoughts ran back and forth from hope to gloom. Despite all that, the recent encounter with the Flame was strong in her memory: she had a purpose here, and in Thrane, of all places, the Flame’s will should be done in the end.

Night came; she lay down, but sleep would not come. It was a clear, cloudless night, and the light from Siberys cast a single beam of pale blue light into the cell; the guards, at one end of the cell block, had a lantern too, but they rarely came down here.

Sypheros, the Shadow moon, had just come into view, when something blocked out her view. A slender figure knelt down, silhouetted in the moonlight. Esthana sat up.

In Elven, a woman’s voice whispered, “Be alert.”

Esthana got up, moving to the window. The elf was wearing a cloak, and her face was painted half red, half blue.

“Who are you?” Esthana whispered.

“Imra. We’re coming for you.” And then she moved away. Whoever she was, Esthana did not know her; Esthana had few friends outside of the army here. She could only suppose that Imra was one of Vaalyun’s associates.

It took some thought to work out how to use the elements at hand to get Esthana out of jail. I have a plan; let’s see if the party can do better than their normal luck and make it work.

Okay, so Vaalyun is running the jailbreak. He has a hireling group; for this operation, he will use the two street jugglers, Ievos and Imra. They have the Stealthy tag.

Cast a Spell(Bless)(Anaya): 2D6(3 5) +2 = 10 Success!
+1 to all rolls for Imra

I’m blessing one of the hirelings, as they are more likely to mess up than Vaalyun himself. And Vaalyun won’t be making the scariest rolls here.

Vaalyun can get into the Garrison—he was there with Anaya and Esthana at the start of the chapter—but will have to talk his way into the cell block. Stealthing in won’t help him, because he has to bring Esthana out.

Okay, so there are guards at the entrance to the cell block and guards inside to watch the prisoners. Vaalyun wants in, the guards don’t want to obstruct someone working for the Commander.

Parley(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!

Esthana moved to the cell door. Two guards, soldiers wearing the same tabard of Thrane that she used to wear herself, were sitting at a table playing cards.

Minutes passed, and she began to wonder if anything was going to happen, when something alerted the guards and they got up from their game.

“Is this it? Yes, here we are.” She could not see Vaalyun, but it was definitely his voice.

The guard nearest to Esthana, a half-elven man, said, “What are you doing here?”

“I have been working for Templar Anaya and Commander Stamos, gathering information on the Blood in the city. You have a number of prisoners here, from the raid three days ago. There are two of them that I wish to speak to.”

“Who are your friends?”

“Simply my bodyguards. The city is not as safe as one could wish, and a House Phiarlan representative can hardly go around unescorted. I am sure that the Commander will have things back in order soon—particularly if I can learn more from these prisoners.”

“Well sir, this way then. Do you know which prisoner you need?”

“Yes, I should be able to pick them out. No need to bring a lantern, I have my own.” Vaalyun moved into view now; he wearing his green robe, the embroidered hydra’s heads looking vaguely sinister in the lamplight. One of the “bodyguards” came into view as well, a figure in a dark cloak—a slender build, could that be Imra?

Vaalyun did not head towards her cell, or acknowledge her at all. Instead, he went over to the opposite cells, and started shining his lantern into them. Various imprisoned rebels and thieves turned away, shunning the light. Vaalyun’s lantern was hooded, and he kept the light directed into the cells on the far side, leaving himself, the guard and his bodyguard with little light.

Esthana looked back to the entrance to the cell block. The other bodyguard was in view now, a male elf in a dark cloak with the hood thrown back, his face also painted red and blue.

“You are a bodyguard?” said the second guard. She seemed a little sceptical.

The hirelings also have the Beautiful tag, which means they can draw attention.

Ievos, Do Their Thing(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 6) +1 = 13 Success!
Second guard is wholly distracted.

“I do not have your soldier’s skill with the sword,” came the reply, “but I know how to use my daggers, well enough to keep my master safe.” He pulled three daggers from under his cloak and began to juggle them.

Esthana turned back, and found herself face to face with the first bodyguard—it was Imra. She put a key into the lock and turned it quietly.

Here’s the money roll. Using that Stealthy. They’re doing so well!

Imra, Do Their Thing(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 6) +1+1 = 14 Success!

Yes, double sixes twice in a row. Maybe I should make these both into player characters.

Vaalyun was talking to the first guard, keeping his attention. “Have you seen a half-orc prisoner, with a scar over his left eye?”

Imra opened the cell door slowly and quietly. She stepped in to the cell.

“No sir,” came the reply, though Esthana could not see either of them just now; Vaalyun had led the guard further down the cell block. “I’m sure I would remember a half-orc in here.”

Vaalyun kept talking. Imra, meanwhile, removed her cloak—she was dressed all in black underneath, barely visible in the moonlit cell. She gave Esthana the cloak, but shook her head when Esthana went to put the hood up. Instead, she produced some face-paints from a pouch, and began to paint Esthana’s face to match her own.

“Do you have the cult priestess here? The one from the Blood temple?” Vaalyun’s voice was still coming from the far end of the block.

Finishing with Esthana, Imra wiped off her own face with a rag.

From the far end of the cells, “No sir. The Archbishop keeps some prisoners in the Tower of Judgement. I suppose those are the ones to be interrogated.”

Imra whispered, in Elven, “Join Vaalyun, stay close, say nothing.”

Esthana nodded, putting up her hood, and stepped out of the cell. Vaalyun was shining the lantern into a cell down the far end; the rest of the block was poorly lit, with only a lantern over the table near the entrance where the other guard still sat. Esthana moved through darkness until she stood near where Vaalyun and the first guard were talking.

Vaalyun had picked on a prisoner now, a rough-looking man wearing a red jacket. “You there. Are you one of the worshippers captured at the Blood temple?”

“No; leave me alone.”

“Come now, wearing a red jacket in Thrane? It’s an interesting clothing choice.”

“Get lost, elf.”

“Answer some questions for me, and I’ll put in a good word for you with the Commander. We just want to understand more about the Blood in the city.”

“The Shadow take you!”

Vaalyun smiled a little. Esthana risked a glance back: her cell door was closed, and Imra was nowhere to be seen.

“Well,” said Vaalyun. “I think I will return when these traitors have had a few more days in the cells. Some time to reflect on their limited options will make them more cooperative.”

“As you wish,” said the guard. Esthana was uncomfortably aware that she was a little taller and bulkier than Imra; but Vaalyun kept the light off of her and the guard did not stop to look again; she was still the same bodyguard, to him. He led them back to the entrance.

The cell keys were hanging on the hook when they got there; presumably Imra had returned them. Vaalyun’s other companion was still entertaining with his juggling. As they approach, he finished with a small flourish, his daggers landing one by one point down in the table, perfectly in between the cards laid there.

“Thank you for your time,” said Vaalyun. “Our time was not entirely wasted, if we made your shift here a little less dull.” He smiled.

They walked up the stairs, leaving the guards behind them. Around the corner, they found Imra, lurking in a dark corner.

“Good work,” said Vaalyun quietly in Elven. “I have never seen it done better. Esthana, Ievos, walk with me.”

The top of the stairs led out into the barracks square. There were two guards posted. Vaalyun strode out as if he ran the place, wished the guards good night, asked them for directions to the apothecary; Ievos smiled at one guard while Vaalyun held the attention of the other; Imra snuck out and vanished into the shadows. Esthana just stood nearby, looking away, acting the strong and silent bodyguard. In a minute, they were free.

We already got the stealth and parley successes, so they get out with no trouble. If you make the rolls in DungeonWorld , you get to have it go just as you planned.

End of Session(party): Vaalyun met his alignment goal, using his house’s reputation to help himself; +1 XP

And it is time to write new bonds for the party. I could have done some of these in a previous end-of-session, but it is easier to delay doing them until we reach a larger break point in the story.

Anaya’s bonds:
Esthana is a fellow servant of the Flame; I aid her holy purpose.
Though not Purified, Vaalyun is a resourceful ally.

Esthana’s bonds:
Lady Anaya is a cleric of my faith. I will follow her through any danger.
Vaalyun rescued me when I was unjustly imprisoned.

Vaalyun’s bonds:
Esthana saved my life.
Lady Anaya unhesitatingly put herself in danger to rescue my companion; I am in her debt.

Characters get +1XP for each resolved (in other words, no longer relevant) bond.

Anaya: 0 failures; 2 bonds resolved, at 2XP.
Esthana: 3 failures; now at 5XP.
Vaalyun: 2 failures, alignment goal; at 8XP.

We are done with Thaliost, so I am going to do a large jump cut forward here. The chaos in the city works in the party’s favour now, as there’s no way the guards can spare the troops to chase down a deserter with serious help on her side.

Make Camp(party): Healing
Commune(Anaya): Cure Moderate Wounds, Bless

Saturday 21 May 2016

I.6: The Flame Illuminates the Darkness

Thaliost
Eyre 22, 997 YK

We’re in the secret base of the Blood of Vol. The party is descending into the private crypts, having separated from the soldiers who are dealing with the worshippers on the upper level.

Cast a Spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(3 1) +2 = 6 Failure!
Show signs of an approaching threat

Esthana is at 14/25 hitpoints, but there’s no healing to be had here.

They descended the staircase to the private crypt, Anaya and Esthana in front and Vaalyun behind, the way lit by silver light from Anaya’s sword. The stonework here showed better craftsmanship that that above; it was dustier here, though there were signs that the dust had been disturbed recently.

Anaya looked across to Esthana walking beside her: the soldier looked grimly determined, but she was limping a little after the fighting to get here. Anaya went to draw on the power of the Flame, to heal her friend, but her connection to the Flame seemed weaker here, and its presence flickered in her mind. Some evil here was casting a shadow across the Flame.

They began to hear noises from up ahead, stone grating against stone and a faint snarling sound. Anaya said “Be ready. Something awaits us down here.”

They emerged into another burial crypt. This one was a long, narrow chamber, with ornate sarcophagi along the walls, engraved with the sigil of some ancient family. Tall cast-iron torch stands, bearing crystals glowing red with heat, provided a dull illumination here. At the far end of the room, at the edge of the light, they could see several human figures, and some shorter hunched shapes in front of them.

One of the humans pointed towards Anaya, and the three shapes turned and began to move forward. They ran forward on all fours, snarling rabidly, talons clattering on the floor, humanoid forms with pale grey skin drawn tightly over their bones, faces drooling and twisted with undying hunger.

“Ghouls,” said Anaya, slowing but still moving forwards. “Stay close, and wait for me to begin.”

Okay, so 3 ghouls, a vampire in the back, and Esthana is already wounded. I hope the party is up to this... At least they got the necromancer out of the way, so I won’t give them any more powerful human opponents. The party should be worried about the vampire and humans allies just running while the ghouls delay them.

The ghouls slowed and spread out into a semicircle around the party, baring their sharp teeth and lifting up their arms to slash at the air with their talons. Esthana stood to Anaya’s right, sword drawn, and Vaalyun stood a little behind to her left.

GM move(soft): Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities

“Back!” shouted Anaya. “The Light parts the darkness!” As the creatures leapt to attack, the light from her sword flared, silver light flooding the room with dazzling brightness and a sudden sense of tranquility. The ghouls screeched, throwing their arms over their eyes.

Turn Undead(Anaya): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
Momentarily daze intelligent undead

A character only triggers Hack and Slash when attacking enemies that fight back, so instead the characters just deal damage here. But they only get a moment before the ghouls are active again.

Esthana deals d10 = 7 damage. Vaalyun deals d4 = 3 damage.

The vampire is stunned too, so it’s not making an escape... yet.

Esthana and Vaalyun seized the opportunity to hack at the ghouls around them. Vaalyun stabbed his dagger into the chest of the ghoul in front of him. Esthana swung with her sword, cutting the arm off of the ghoul facing her; it screeched in pain, the sounds echoing in the close confines of the small stone crypt.

The light receded, but a silver light still surrounded Anaya. They could see the figures at the end of the room clearly now: on the right, a tall woman in a dark red, formal robe with two attendants. On the left, a male figure in a dark robe, recoiling in the light. “On the left—that’s the vampire,” said Anaya.

The conditions of Turn Undead are: so long as you continue to pray and brandish your holy symbol, no undead may come within reach of you.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(4 4) +2 = 10 Success!
6 damage

The ghoul facing Anaya dared not approach her, but turned to join the one fighting Esthana. As they approached her, Esthana slashed across them with her sword, injuring both; the first ghoul collapsed, expiring noisily on the ground.

The ghoul facing Vaalyun was also still standing. Seeing the creature recover from the shock, Vaalyun moved away from Anaya, moving behind one of the torches standing at the side of the room. As the creature moved towards him, he pushed the torch over towards it with his free hand; its hot crystal shards scattered over the creature, burning its flesh. The creature gave a harsh, guttural scream, but kept advancing, circling to trap him against the wall.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!
d6 = 2 damage

DungeonWorld encourages one to add more scenery for the heroes to use during the fights, so they can get creative in combat. It’s important to avoid combat degenerating into combat rounds like D&D, as you want to keep up a narrative flow. This was important for Vaalyun here; he badly needs to avoid a stand-up fight here as Hack and Slash uses his weakest stat, so I came up with a course of action that gave him a Dex option.

As it wasn’t him doing damage, I chose to let this move deal d6 damage rather than his normal d4. The ghoul facing him is still at 5/10 HP though.

It would be good if Anaya could help Vaalyun, but she has no bond with him, so the roll would be +0. So she goes to Esthana’s aid instead, and hopefully that frees Esthana to aid Vaalyun.

Aid(Anaya): 2D6(6 1) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Cost: she has to make a feint attack, ending her Turn Undead
Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(2 5) +2+1 = 10 Success!
9 damage

Anaya moved close to the ghoul facing Esthana. She swung at it with her sword, not really intending to hit it, but it recoiled from the divine light. Esthana lunged as it hesitated, running it through with her sword; the creature convulsed and fell to the ground. The light around Anaya was fading now though; just the light from her sword remained, silver vying dimly with the red light of the torches to illuminate the crypt.

Well, the party is doing really well here: just one ghoul is left at 5/10 HP, and the party took no hits at all. And stalled the vampire briefly so their actual targets didn’t get away yet. I think the vampire has had enough now though.

GM move(soft): Monster move(Vampire): Retreat to plan again
GM move(soft): Offer an opportunity, with or without cost: The vampire & cultists they are after are going to run for it; you can take time to help Vaalyun, or you can start harassing them before they get out of the room

At the end of the room, the tall woman—a priestess, Anaya thought—addressed the vampire and said “We must go. You!”—turning to one of her attendants—“Go to my room and burn all the papers there. Hurry!” The vampire was already opening the door at the far end of the room.

Hack and Slash(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 1) -1 = 2 Failure!
Deal damage: d8 = 5 damage (1 piercing)

Anaya and Esthana moved forward to pursue them, but Vaalyun still had a ghoul facing him. He tried to stab the creature, but it moved too fast, rearing back out of range of his stroke and them jumping at him. It slashed him with its talons, easily cutting through Vaalyun’s thin leather and leaving him with a gash down his side. The creature paused, drooling, to savour the fear of its wounded prey.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 2) +1 = 5 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

Vaalyun dropped low, feigning the injury was worse than it really was, then tried to spring over the creature. But instead he stumbled in pain, and the creature seized him and bore him to the ground. Esthana glanced back to see their companion in trouble, and stopped to draw her bow, letting Anaya run ahead. As the ghoul’s jaws closed on Vaalyun’s arm, Esthana’s arrow struck deeply into its side, and the foul creature slumped to the ground.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(5 5) +2 = 12 Success!
9 damage

Esthana just saves this party time after time. But that cost the party vital actions here. Who does Anaya shoot at? Vampire, high priest, or acolyte running to burn the evidence? I rolled for it, and got a 2: the high priest.

Volley(Anaya): 2D6(2 2) +1 = 5 Failure!
Turn their move back on them

Anaya, however, was focused on their real goal here, now within reach. She had her bow out and shot at the priestess, but the arrow hit her attendant instead, who collapsed to the ground as priestess and vampire went out of sight. “After them!” urged Anaya, running through the far doorway.

Anaya ran through the door, into a small passage running to the left and right, stone walls dimly lit by glowing crystals in sconces at intervals, though she barely noticed the other direction as she turned left after the vampire and the priestess. They were running ahead, and the vampire was just turning a corner up ahead. Anaya raced to keep up, and could hear Esthana running behind her.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(5 1) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome; GM move(soft): Monster move(High priest): Tries casting Hold Person

As she rounded the corner, she found herself abruptly in a small stone chamber. There were no doors, but stone steps led up to the ceiling, and the vampire was at the top, pushing up the stone slab to reveal an exit into a chamber above. And opposite her, the priestess faced her, arms raised, a knife in her hand and a fresh cut upon her arm.

Defy Danger(WIS)(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
Ignores the spell

Anaya sensed the spell, feeling the evil energy circle her, like a wall of darkness trying to bury her. But the power of the Flame within her was stronger, and she moved freely out of its grasp, pushing the priestess aside. She grasped the holy symbol around her neck and drew once more on the Flame. Radiant silver light flooded the room. The vampire recoiled, letting the slab fall back into place and blocking its exit.

Turn Undead(Anaya): 2D6(4 5) +2 = 11 Success!
Momentarily stuns intelligent undead

Really that was Anaya’s only move to stop the vampire getting away.

Esthana: d10 = 2 damage. (1 after the vampire’s armour.)

Then she can have another shot before it closes the distance.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(1 3) +2 = 6 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

Esthana was at the entrance, bow drawn, and shot an arrow, hitting the vampire in the side. It hissed in pain and, retreating from Anaya, turned its attention to Esthana. Esthana shot again, but she flinched under the vampire’s fearsome gaze and her shot went wide. The vampire smiled, regaining some of its poise.

“You again,” it said, moving closer to Esthana. “Our last meeting was painful, but I bear no scar now. Do you think you can end me, mortal?”

Anaya watched as Esthana cast aside her bow, unshouldered her shield and drew her sword as the vampire approached. The creature’s shadow, cast sharply by the light of Anaya’s Flame symbol, fell over Esthana as it approached. It struck first, moving with unnatural speed, its fist striking Esthana’s shield with enough force to dent it. She staggered, but struck back, her sword slicing deeply into the creature’s torso.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(2 3) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Deals d10=6 damage, takes d12+5=7 damage

The vampire is at 4/10 HP. Esthana is at 11/25 HP.

GM move(soft): Monster move(Vampire): Charm someone

“Immortality awaits for those that embrace the power of Blood,” it said, giving Esthana a little space. “Do you think any reward awaits you in the flames?”

Defy Danger(WIS)(Esthana): 2D6(1 1) +0 = 2 Failure!
Show signs of an approaching threat

Oh shit.

I had to get up and spend half an hour thinking about how this could go. I thought the fight was about to be over, but now I see it’s just getting started. The party has trapped a powerful foe—might they regret it?

Anaya saw Esthana lock eyes with the vampire, and hesitate. The moment lingered, and the vampire added, “The Flame only consumes. This cleric brought you here to do her killing, and die for her. Why serve her, when you could serve yourself?”

“No!” shouted Anaya. “Esthana!”

“Kill the cleric, and I will show you immortality.” The vampire’s voice was commanding now, its smile confident.

Esthana turned towards Anaya, her face expressionless, and took a step forward to stand beside the vampire. In the background, the priestess stood up, watching nervously as the vampire worked its charms.

The game rules say, of Turn Undead “Intelligent undead may still find ways to harry you from afar.”

Anaya is in a bad spot. If she drops her holy symbol to defend herself, she loses her protection and the vampire can attack her—if Esthana doesn’t kill her first. But she has to try something.

Volley(Anaya): 2D6(2 4) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Place yourself in danger
d8 = 1 damage

Damn, no damage inflicted (vampire has armour 1). That was a 50:50 chance to kill it.

In a quick motion, Anaya let her holy symbol fall, seizing her bow. The light from her symbol faded, leaving the room only dimly lit from a lantern in one corner. As Esthana moved towards her with sword drawn, Anaya loosed an arrow at the vampire which sunk into its shoulder—but it barely seemed to feel it. There was no space to retreat, or take another shot; she could only drop her bow and try to defend herself.

Defy Danger(CON)(Anaya): 2D6(2 1) +0 = 3 Failure!
Use up their resources

Anaya tried to shelter behind her shield as she drew her sword, but Esthana’s first strike knocked the weapon out of her hand, sending it clattering into a corner. The vampire looked on, smiling mockingly as the templar struggled to fend off Esthana’s attacks.

No chance to get a lucky hit on the vampire now. Anaya is out of weapons.

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(2 5) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Vague information, up to player to make it useful

Hmm. I’m going to give Anaya the benefit of the doubt here, because she knows Esthana personally and the vampire does not. Be a fan of the characters Past Conflict, Present Intrigue

“Esthana, don’t do this,” pleaded Anaya. She thought frantically for something that could bring the soldier to her senses. “It was the Blood of Vol that assassinated Mishann, Queen of Cyre, heir to the throne of Galifar, during the Last War. You know this. How many of your countrymen died as a result? How many died fighting against the undead armies of Karrnath?”

Defy Danger(WIS)(Esthana): 2D6(3 3) +0 = 6

Not resolving the move, as Anaya can Aid it.

Esthana hesitated. Anaya let her shield drop a little, and said “You know me, we have fought together. The Flame protects us all from the darkness.”

Aid(Anaya): 2D6(5 4) +2 = 11 Success!

The +2 there is for Anaya’s two bonds with Esthana; she’s making a personal appeal. A successful Aid gives +1 to Esthana’s roll, enough to push it up to a 7 and a partial success.

Defy Danger(WIS)(Aided)(Esthana): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Hesitation or worse outcome; Put someone in a spot: drops her sword
Defend(Anaya): 2D6(2 4) +0 = 6 Failure!
Deal Damage: d8+5 = 9 (to Esthana)

Esthana came to her senses, shaking her head; her grip loosened and her sword fell to the ground. “No!” said Anaya, as the vampire strode forward to strike; she tried to interpose her shield, but the vampire’s supernatural strength brushed it aside and slammed into Esthana, throwing her to the ground.

Esthana is at 4/25 HP; that hit could have killed her. Anaya’s alignment applies here: put herself in danger to heal another.

Cast a Spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(3 5) +2 = 10 Success!
Heals 5

Golden opportunity: Deal damaged8+5 = 8 damage (to Anaya)

Anaya knelt down, hurriedly laying a hand on Esthana. Esthana was barely concious, but she drew a deep breath in as the healing energy of the Flame flowed into her. Then the vampire grabbed Anaya by the throat, lifting her seemingly effortlessly and slamming her against the wall; stunned, for a moment Anaya knew nothing but cold stone, dust and blood.

Esthana is at 9/25HP, Anaya at 11/17HP.

The priestess makes a grab for Esthana’s sword, I think. But Vaalyun arrives now, and tries to intercept her.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 2) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome: Put someone in a spot: you grab her, she grabs your knife.

But Esthana has sword in hand again, and can stand. The vampire’s back is to her.

d10 = 3 damage. -1 for the vampire’s armour—it’s still alive! Yikes.

Anaya felt the vampire pull her back, ready to slam her into the wall again, but then it released its grip and screamed, dropping her and turning away. Anaya fell against the wall, and turning, she saw that it was Esthana, sword in hand again, attacking the vampire. Beyond her, Vaalyun and the priestess were struggling, both grasping at a dagger.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(5 3) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Deals 5 damage; takes 11 damage

Esthana only gets a +1 there because she is shaky for -1 Dex. And she takes a high 11 damage, 9 after armour, which reduces her to... 0 hitpoints.

“The Flame burns that which it cannot cleanse.” Esthana said, driving her sword into the vampire once more. The vampire slammed its fist into her chest, the force of the blow throwing her into the wall with a crash; she slumped to the ground, unmoving. Her sword was still stuck in the vampire, and silver fire played around the edges of the blade. The vampire screeched higher and higher, the sound drowning out all else in the confines of the crypt; it put its hands to the hilt, trying to draw out the blade, but to no avail. Before Anaya’s eyes, the creature was consumed by the Flame, its robe falling to the ground in a pile of ash and dust.

Defy Danger(STR)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 1) -1 = 5 Failure!
Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask

The priestess shook Vaalyun’s grip from the dagger, and now she held him, dagger to his throat. “That’s enough,” she said. “Let me go, and you can attend to your friend.”

Anaya looked to Esthana; she was lying awkwardly, unconcious, perhaps mortally wounded. She looked back to the priestess and Vaalyun.

Vaalyun has not had a chance to use his class abilities in a while.

Dragonmark(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 5) +1 = 9 Partial success.
The effect won’t last long
Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 2) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Worse outcome, deal damage: 4 damage

Vaalyun glanced at Anaya’s bow, still lying on the ground near her, as if signalling to her. Then, suddenly, shadow enveloped him and the priestess, as if the light had been sucked out of the space around them. Anaya could hear the priestess’ sharp intake of breath, and a brief scuffle. Anaya grabbed her bow and readied an arrow, moving around towards where Esthana lay prone.

The priestess and Vaalyun reappeared. Vaalyun had slipped her grasp, though he had a nasty cut in the his shoulder. The priestess was holding the dagger, and looking around, startled.

“Now, toss the dagger back to my friend,” said Anaya, arrow at the ready.

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(4 6) +1 = 11 Success!

The priestess complied, and Vaalyun herded her into a corner, keeping her at arms length. Anaya dropped down to Esthana, frantically checking her pulse.


Esthana did not reach the floor. The pain simply stopped, as did all sense of her surroundings. She felt a sense of peace and security around her.

She opened her eyes. She was standing in a stone passageway, much larger than the crypt had been, perfectly carved grey stone under her feet and around her. Ahead was a large double gate, wrought in glittering mithril; it was like something out of an elven song. Beyond the gate, there was only white light. Yes, there had been a song, one that her father had sung to her many years ago, of the shining gates of—

To the left side of the gate, in a mithril brazier, a silver-blue flame burned. It gave off no heat or smoke, but its presence was soothing. Esthana approached it.

“You come to us, Purified.” The voice came from nowhere, and yet she knew that it came from the Flame.

“Am I dead?” said Esthana. “Is this—?”

“This is the gate. Those that pass beyond are joined with the Flame.”

“Tira?”

“I am Tira, and I am many. Tira was the first to join with the Flame; she gave us our voice, to communicate with world. But we existed long before.”

Above the Flame in front of her, an image gradually appeared of a human woman in gleaming plate mail, with a longbow at her back and the silver arrowhead of the Flame, with blue fire playing around it, emblazoned on the breastplate. Her voice was the Flame’s.

Esthana trembled. She had believed it all her life, but to speak with Tira Miron, the first paladin of the Flame, was overwhelming. Tears ran down her face. She looked down; she was still herself, dressed as for parade day: chainmail perfectly polished, a silver-blue flame embroidered on the tabard.

“Are you ready?” Tira said.

Esthana hesitated. The memory of the crypt, Anaya and the vampire, seemed distant, but it still floated in her memory. “Anaya, is she all right?”

“Know that our servant Anaya is alive. You slew the vampire.”

“I failed. My strength was tested and I failed.” Esthana fell to her knees, sorrow and guilt running through her mind.

“You did what few could do, and slew it.” Though the image of Tira spoke, the voice was expressionless and serene, offering no warmth.

I rolled this at the start of the scene, as there would have been no need for a scene at all if she rolled a success. But it was more dramatic to reveal the result now. Biggest roll of the game so far: 2d6 and on a 6 or less she dies.

Last Breath(Esthana): 2D6(5 2) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Hard bargain: take it or die.

“What of the Blood?” said Esthana. “Will the Purified in the city be safe?”

“Know that safety is never achieved or lost, only sought. There are always dangers. Are you ready?”

“No, I am needed.”

“Yes, servants of the Light are always needed. Are you ready?”

“For what?”

“Your spirit clings to the world; we think your work is not yet done. Rise.”

Esthana got to her feet, and gazed at Tira. The image’s lips moved with the words, but there was no expression on the face, no feeling there.

“Know that if you choose to return, it will be in the service of the Flame. There is evil in the world, and the Flame drives that evil before it, binding it in the depths; without our servants, fiends would still roam the surface of Eberron; no civilisation would exist. Know that you return in our service, and it is our strength that returns you, and it costs us to do this.”

Esthana stood up to attention before the Flame. “I serve the Light.”

“Know further that we return you with a purpose. The fiends in the dark are stirring. A cult of Khyber seeks to unbind the prisoners that the Flame binds there. We return you to serve, to seek out this cult.”

“I will serve.”

“Know further that we will advise the Keeper of your service. Go, our servant Esthana.”

The rules for the partial success on this move are to “Offer something that will be a challenge to play out but will lead the game in a fun new direction.” It has to change the character’s direction.

I chose randomly from the following, picking from some standard threats in the setting that the Flame might be concerned with:

  • Discover the cause of the Mourning.
  • Uncover corruption within the Church.
  • Reveal the hidden plot within the Blood.
  • Uncover the sinister power within Karrnath.
  • Destroy the Cult of the Dragon Below.
  • Or... come up with a new list, something more obscure.

I rolled a 5. That idea came partly from the setting, but of course I already foreshadowed that—specifically for Esthana, even—at the start of chapter 4.

Show the Devastation of the Last War: Cyre was destroyed two years ago.

“Wait. May I... are my parents with you?”

There was a pause.

“Know that only the spirits of the dead are joined to the Flame. Memories are lost. We know only what our servants communicate to us. Know further that many Purified were joined with the Flame that day.”

Esthana nodded, downcast. “I am ready.”

Wow. The 16HP dragon is regularly used as an example in DungeonWorld , but I inadvertantly turned the vampire fight into such a battle with how the charm played out. The vampire had 10HP, but it took so much chaos to take it down. The whole party was near dead. I was triumphant when Estana didn’t fail the Last Breath.

End of Session(party): Anaya met her alignment goal, +1XP. The party defeated a notable creature, and learned something new and important about the world: +2 XP for everyone.

Anaya: 4 failures, alignment goal met; at 9XP.
Esthana: 3 failures, now 10XP.
Vaalyun: 6 failures, now 13XP.

Everyone has enough to level up. I am inclined to jump cut forward now: we are done with the scene in the Blood base, I think. And we will leave Thaliost soon: Thrane and the rebels can sort it out between themselves. We have a new mission. So let’s assume the party gets a night’s rest here.

Make Camp(party): Healing
Level Up(Anaya): +1 STR, Scales of Life and Death: +1 to Last Breath in her presence

I wonder why I chose that...

Level Up(Vaalyun): +1 CHA, Summon Living Dragonmark

His Dragonmark is Shadows & Darkness. We might see some Melisandre-level trickery from this guy.

Level Up(Esthana): +1 WIS, Weapon of the Exorcist

That’s from the Exorcist of the Silver Flame compendium class in the Eberron supplement.