Hoard of Secrets

Explored The Plaza

Entered the Plaza to find artists in disarray, each trying to complete art but getting Frustrated.

The party found a panting trying to come alive and attack it's creator, but Gruff performed an interpretive dance and Breezy created art that helped calm the art.

This caught the attention of Ormythe, the Muse Warden, who took the party to the Inner Court.

Explored The Inner Court

The party was given access to the Inner Court while Ormythe discussed an audience with the High Lady. They found the Hall of Muses was closed as the Muses inside were in a delicate state

Bubbles and Elden heard whispers from the Whispering Fountains hinting that the Spark was fragmented and to check where passions gathered. The twin muses Lyra and Nocturne also offered information that the Spark was wrested from it's pedastal and had broken into some pieces.

Explored Another's Treasure

The party entered Another's Treasure and met Wink Twinklebrush who let them know that Allariel and Ormythe have been asking around trying to find information. And that she might be able to help more if they help her find the Echoing Canvas.

They located the catalog card for the painting and followed it deeper into the building, finding a large hallway pulsing with magical energy.

Solve the Magical Mirror Puzzle

Solved a puzzle involving magical mirrors and a beam of light to open the room containing the Echoing Canvas

Accessing the canvas allowed the party to see that the person who moved the canvas last mentioned using the Harp of Harmony to restore/create a Spark of Creativity

Leaving Another's Treasure, the party was greeted by Allariel who informed the party that the High Lady would see them now.

Show the Artist's Spirit

Bubbles was able to create a painting out of such raw emotion that the High Lady of Creation, Ossiphece, agreed to give the party access to help investigate the Spark's disappearance

Ossiphece let the party know that the Harp of Harmony has been missing for a long time, so if it was found and its power was being utilized, then that would be news to her.

The party was informed that The Radiant Hand also sent a priestess to assist who is named Luminara and that she is currently in the Hall of Muses.

There are currently 6 muses in the Inner Court, and the only other people that have access are the High Lady, Ormythe, and Allariel.

Questioned the Suspects

Ossiphece thinks Allariel or Ormythe could have done it. Allariel wants a new spark and Ormythe wanted to strengthen the Spark

Ormythe thinks Allariel could have done it or Ossiphece could have removed the spark to prove to them that they are fine with what they have.

Allariel thinks Ormythe is framing him so that a new advisor can be installed.

Questioned Hue and Petal

Hue has some colors on him that don't seem as dulled. He thinks maybe another muse, Cieren the Muse of Storytelling, may have possibly stolen the Spark since he's missing.

Petal remembers hearing a commotion the night it went missing, but thought nothing of it. That same night Allariel asked her about the Moonbeam Blooms.

Met the Shattered Muses

The Party met Luminara, a priestess of the Radiant Hand. She is also investigating and wants to help the party.

They meet Cygros and Lycerra, the muses of Sculptures and Dance, respectively. Remembering that night causes them to go into a rage with a magic surge, but the party is able to figure out a cloaked construct stole the Spark and was instructed to bring it to a meeting place and then to the harp.

Found the Muse of Storytelling

Followed the path through the grass finding Cieren's body. It had been decomposing for two weeks and was clutching a poem hinting at his killer. Luminara thought it sounded like Ormythe.

Footprints led away and Luminara and Breezy's familiar were left to watch the body. The Path led to The Grand Stage.

Found the Spark

The Party goes deep underground past the VIP studios to find the Under Stage. An elven harpist is playing the Harp of Harmony to strengthen the Spark. She says she is doing it at Ormythe's command.

They attempt to reason with Maelis who continues to play the harp, summoning several enemies made of art. Battle begins

Asked Luminara to Calm the Spark and Harp

After breaking the enchantment on Maelis, the Harp and Spark entered a Feedback loop that would eventually end in an explosion if not dealt with.

The party allowed Luminara to use her magic to settle both objects, and they provided assistance to her to complete it.

Exposing Allariel

With the Harp and Spark now in hand, the party tried to find a part to cast Speak with Dead on Ciaran's body (the Muse of Storytelling). However, his body was gone. Bubbles was able to spot a charm that Luminara was able to identify as being from a priest or priestess of the Radiant Hand. When pressed, she mentions that there's a rogue group within the Radiant Hand known as the Shattered Veil that may be trying to manipulate the courts so they can consolidate power.

Elden was able to get a good image of the cloaked figure that enchanted Maelis and likely met with the real thief, and send that image to Wink to create Wanted Posters so they would be ready to go once they expose the thief.

They arrived back at the throne room to return the Spark and Harp. However, they kept the Harp hidden, and Breezy was able to realize Allariel was confused that it was not mentioned, exposing him as the thief.

Once exposed, Allariel cast Sunburst blinding the party allowing him to escape. Ossiphece gave the party the promised Key of Creation to unlock the Dragon King, and a special gift for returning the harp. The party gave the charm found near Ciaran to Luminara, allowing her to go back to her superiors to hopefully settle the matter internally with the Shattered Veil.

Lets go to the Bazaar... Today

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fryer as Bubbles feels the dry heat of the sun. They look for some of the Court's famous Cactus juice, and eventually find Kaelen who is being hassled by a red, blue, and yellow dyed hobgoblins.

Bubbles is able to scare them off as Kaelen thanks them for the assistance. He gives the party a 10% discount as he tries to ask for help sourcing a potential holy cactus from within the Volcano at the center of the realm. The party passes for now.

They learn that while the Solar Flare definitely was the original source, nobody is sure where this feeling is coming from.

Met Thelios

at The Statue of Promia the Lightbringer. He is the Advisor to the High Lady Helia and has heard about the party's actions in the Court of Creation.

Mentions that the Solar Flare has supercharged the Fire Crystal at the heart of the Volcano. Typically the Crystal would have released this energy with something like a static shock, but that hasn't happened yet.

He mentions there's one more problem but that he must speak to the High Lady to learn about it. Before they can leave, Bubbles is challenged by the leader of the Prism Gang.

Fought in a Solar Duel

Violet of the Prism Gang challenged Bubbles to a Solar Duel. Bubbles ended up stunning Violet after a tough fight and claiming that both sides had fought honorably. Ending the duel and gaining Violet as an ally.

Thelios then led the party through the underground to the Inner Court, letting them know that Allariel of the Court of Creation was found dead, hanging from a tree, with Traitor written across his chest.

Fought in a Three Strike Duel

Thelios brings the party before the High Lady and Pyralis, the Dawn's Aegis. They agree to allow the party to help if they participate in a Three Strike Duel.

They fight Pyralis in a close match, and afterwards are granted access to the Salamander's Path. They are also told Luminara is there and will be going with them.

Talked to the Soldiers in Training

After finding out Luminara has been promoted to Internal Affairs and that she believes the same culprit is here, the party set off into the Guard Training town in Salamander's Path. They found out that a group of priests passed through the same day that things started to get weird. Anybody who gets close to the volcano gets posessed by something and begin chanting a word.

Leaving for the Temple of the Sun to the East where the Priests went first, they hear muffled yells under a pile of boulders. Bubbles becomes an excavator and Breezy uses him to uncover Violet, who wants to help. He lets the party know his purple dyed skin protects his mind from enchantment so he promises to be useful.

Where they're going, they don't need eyes.

The party found a Fire Genasi Priest and a Gnome Priest in argument about the situation. The Fire Genasi thinks Salamander is in trouble, while the Gnome believes that Salamander owes them no explanations at all and that this is punishment for the Court of Suns doing too much instead of allowing nature to run its course.

The party uses the Scroll of Summon Middle Manager to isekai a middle manager into the Campaign to organize the temple's paperwork. He indeed finds that the same Half-Elf was pretending to be one of the priests and is likely in the Volcano now with Salamander.

Approaching the Volcano

After learning various things from the Scribes, they left for the Volcano. The party walked passed the large group of Fey that were enchanted by some kind of magic. They were chanting the word Arkalion. As they approached the Door, Breezy heard a voice on the wind of a spell being cast that made all the creatures turn their attention to the party and charge them. Violet stayed behind to hold them off, promising to run away once the party got the door closed. And so they did.

The Salamander's Trials

The first trial was a series of super-heated platforms that the party had to jump up and avoid taking damage. They found some creative ways to help each other up and avoid falling into the lava, however everyone but Luminara was caught in an explosion of a magical rune at the very end of the trial. But they were able to get a few magical items and get a short rest after the trial.

The second trial required moving a bunch of lava-filled braziers around a room to cast shadows on a mural. Elden was able to accurately figure out where each one would go, and some quick maneuvering got the door open. After moving through to the main room of the Volcano, they found the Half Elf that was seen in the Court of Creation manipulating the crystal on top of a tall rock pillar. With a snap of his fingers, a large, black and red creature crawled into view to attack: The Salamander of the Perpetual Flame.

The Confrontation

The party ran up the platforms trying to avoid Salamander’s gaze and getting closer to the half elf. At a higher level they see a black blade buried in the back of Salamander’s neck, channeling the magic dominating him. Elden and Bubbles teleport onto his back and they are eventually able to break the spell, bringing Salamander back to his senses. he climbs up to the Half Elf and disrupts the spell, forcing the Elf to teleport away.

Speaking with Salamander after, he reveals that the Half Elf must be Arkalion, Tharion's older brother and the Dragon that betrayed Dragon-kind to ally with the Fey. Salamander grants the party a boon and they go on their way.

The Wrap-Up

The party gives the info to the High Lady about Arkalion, and they are granted the Key of Suns for their effort. The High Lady offers to send word ahead to the Court of Blood, offering an introduction to help them.

Pit Stop Home

The Party swings by Tempest's Hideaway to touch base with her about the quest so far. She thanks the party for their work and also lets them know that she uncovered the fact that Nate used a small golden magical item to manipulate Tempest and Rorik into following his scheme.

She reveals to the party that she needs the Crimson Echo to talk to Maggie's mother, Anemonea, Goddess of the Winds, to rescind making Tempest her chosen. Tempest being her chosen means that Maggie will experience misfortune as long as she is near her. She wants Maggie to be free from this curse even if it means losing her ship.

The Party takes Maggie along in case they are unable to bring the Crimson Echo back, taking with them a letter explaining Maggie's lineage so that she can talk directly to her mother, but otherwise are keeping her in the dark for now.

Meeting the Advisor

The Party meets Maralin Cosgrave, a halfling and the advisor to the High Lord of Blood. They ask the party to help to convince Lord Feldraith, one of the Four Lords of the Court of Blood, to give up bad-mouthing the heir and to participate in the Ritual of Leadership.

The Party agrees to help, but with an added condition that they gain access to the Crimson Echo, of which Maralin says he will discuss with the High Lord and let them know.

Meeting Feldraith

The party arrived at Feldraith's manor to see that he was already in an argument with Baroness Grimhallow. She and her page, a young Shadar-kai named Sawyn, abrubtly ended their conversation as the party arrived.

As they were leaving, the Baroness asked Sawyn to retrieve something from a closed study, to Feldraith's agitation. As she left the room, she secretly left it ajar, signaling to Elden that leaving it open was for them to explore.

Playing Games

Feldraith challenged the party to a game to get to know each other, and Breezy participated on behalf of the party. The party decided that they didn't want to play for stakes, so they played along and at the end it seemed as though Feldraith allowed them to win. They discussed his dislike of the heir and he asked that the party side with him and disrupt the ritual instead. But they said they would like to think about it and meet the heir for their own first.

Feldraith left the room momentarily, and the group took this opportunity to explore the room that Sawyn left open. They snuck in to find the relic that Feldraith would bring to the ritual, along with a letter from "A" written in Draconic, saying that all Feldraith needs to do is bring the relic and everything else will fall into place.

Confronting Feldraith

The party confronted Feldraith about his plan to work with Arkalion, and he quickly moved to friendly hostility. He says he can't really let them go knowing they could expose him now that they actively oppose Arkalion.

The party agrees to go along with Feldraith's plan considering he does not want to harm the heir and it wouldn't be Arkalion's machinations. They are now only looking to confirm their suspicions of the heir.

Meeting the other Lords

The party arrives at the Blood Castle meeting the other lords, Lady Castia Valienne, Lord Regan Orlavain, and the previously met Baroness Morrigan Grimhallow. They find out a little more about them and the hints that they also do not support the heir but cannot do much to stop it. The Baroness also lets the party know that they are bound by blood magic that if they oppose the high lord, their lives will end.

Luminara shows up looking even older and more regal now, finding out that she is now High Investigator Luminara. She is supporting the High Lord's ritual and is wary of the group's questions. When she turns to meet the high lord, the Baroness grabs Bubbles by the wrist, telling him that he cannot trust Luminara and secretly gives him a dagger that she insists he'll need.

The Ritual of Leadership

The party meets the High Lord and Heir briefly, revealing that the Heir is, in fact, a little shit. The party is now confident in their decision as they step back and allow the ritual to begin, leaving Luminara in the dark to their true plan.

The ritual starts and Feldraith takes his chance. The High Lord realizes the party is double-crossing him and an encounter starts, with the party defending Feldraith as the aether begins to spiral around the room. As the ritual continues, a dark figure in the darkness of the portal summoned by the ritual seems to also reach out towards the Heir. The party convinces each of the families and Luminara to their side, giving them the leverage they needed to be successful.

After the Ritual

The party talks with Feldraith who lets them know that now its a matter of time before the aether chooses a new high lord or lady, but that their agreement is now honored and they will be given the key and the crimson echo.

Talking with Luminara, she is upset about the party's actions, but sided with them nonetheless. She tells them she will be at the Court of Moons and lets them know she'll see them there. She reminds them to bring their masks because "we're all wearing one."

The Moonlit Market

The Party starts in the market which is fairly empty, seeing a long line starting at the edges of the market going up to the manor. Asking around, they learn that the ball will be over by the time people in the line can even get close to the building.

By asking around they learn that the Moon King used to be very strict and mean, but since Calenor was named Prince of the Eclipse, he's seemed more lenient and kind to his subjects.

Lysander and the Devils

Approaching the ball, they saw two fiends being turned away from the entrance, and after sneaking up to listen to them, they learned that they are looking for another fiend that was released from a Mirror somewhere in the Court of Moons.

The party also spots Lysander, Prince of the Hunt, in a deep discussion with his advisor: a blue-skinned Umbral Elf. As they approach, the Love Guru convinces Lysander to hear them out. After hearing their story, Lys asks the party if they would be willing to stop Calenor from receiving a delivery of a magical artifact that would grant him more power. Lys and his advisor, Thane, tell the party that Cal is inflicted with something that has shattered parts of himself. And while they are sympathetic, they fear that using this item might change who he is for the worst, and they've been removed from the ball for trying to stop him. The party agrees so they can get the Key of Moons.

The party also alerts them to the two fiends at the gate. Thane tells them that they are Grisham and Sundew, an Incubus and Succubus. Lys says that he and Cal indeed freed a fiend from a mirror, and that the party did not have to worry about them.

Delicious Quiche

The party gets masks and pins. the Masks hide their identity from all others, while the pins allow them to see each other. They walk around the ballroom, seeing all of the different Courts represented. Through some investigating they learn that the Court of Creation is in some kind of turmoil with the Spark, although they are tightlipped about what is actually happening. Also Wink Twinklebrush has been promoted to Advisor due to her vast knowledge of art and magical implements.

They notice that the upstairs is off limits, and that Calenor is off in a side area of the court answering to his people, while Luminara sits up on the main stage with the Moon King and Queen.

The Baroness and Sawyn

Bubbles finds the Baroness on the balcony who uses him as a shield to allow Sawyn to climb back up unseen. Her investigation has proved that the Moon King is already dead, and that the person inside is seemingly some kind of puppet monarch. She confirms to Elden that Luminara is working for Arkalion. She gives Bubbles a pin that allows him to see all of the staff. The Baroness mentions that all people who have entered have been searched and stripped of their magical items and weapons, except for the High Lords and Ladies. She also mentions that one of the staff could also be doing it.

As the party discusses what to do next, Bubbles notices that two of the new waiters that walked in are actually Grisham and Sundew who are now disguised as waiters to try and find the fiend they are looking for.

The Dance

The Moon King announces that the customary first dance of the Prince of the Eclipse is about to start, and that the first dance will be with none-other than Luminara. Realizing that Luminara works for Arkalion, the party realizes that she must be the person delivering the stone to Calenor. The party devises a plan including distraction, bombs, and clever placement to try and get close enough to steal it, but this is all undone once Luminara sees Breezy immediately.

Luminara plays it cool, not showing her hand that she orchestrated the party being unable to get in easily, but Breezy is able to trick her into thinking that he already stole the gem so that she might reveal where it is located on her body. This is successful and Breezy pickpockets the crystal, but this is also noticed by Calenor who confronts Breezy on the dance floor.

The True Face

Chaos begins to erupt in the room as people are unsure what is going on, but as Calenor is accused of killing his father, Calenor points out that everybody must have known since his father was terrible. As a scuffle breaks out in the arguments, Bubbles is able to stab Luminara with the dagger given to him by the Baroness, showing her true form and revealing that Arkalion and the Dragonkin have been manipulating things as the Radiant Hand. As Luminara's body begins to whither in its true form, she warns that Arkalion was coming.

Suddenly an entire side of the room is destroyed as rubble flies everywhere, crushing and killing Luminara and hurting the rest of the party. When Arkalion realizes that Luminara is dead, he releases a firestorm on the party, and in the final moments Elden channels the powerful spirit living inside the blade he received from Salamander.

The Bargain

Time freezes as Elden pleads with the spirit of the blade to save them, and time stops as the Deepfire Spirit emerges from the blade to see the scene. It tells Elden that it will save them for a piece of Elden's power, that he craves to be reuinted with the rest of his soul and he might be able to do that with additional power. Elden agrees and the spirit drains Elden who feels himself weaken. When time starts again, Arkalion rains fire on the party and everything quickly fades to black.

When the party opens their eyes, they find themselves in an eerily quiet, and gray forest. They don't know where they are, but out of the woods comes Gruff, who lets them know that they've been gone for a couple weeks and the party came to rescue them before getting lost and teleported to this place.

ol' Tibbits and other Dark Things

The party finds a tall creature covered in fur, gathering fruit off of trees. When it notices the group it turns to look att hem with an ear-to-ear smile and eyes start to open up all over his face. He introduces himself as Ol' Tibbuts and lets them know that they are in the Umbral Veil. He says the only way out that he knows of is through an old witch in the tree. They make a trade of a magical item for pointing out on the map where they are. After marking on the map, Tibbits mentions to beware the masks before becoming scared and running off.

The party follows the map, with the landscape confusing the party as each person had noticed a different way to go. They eventually find a scene of Calenor and Lysander fighting with Thane trying to calm them down. The party approached at the same time as Sundew and Grisham, and Sundew activated a stone that incapacitated Thane. Calenor, also used this opportunity to confront Breezy about the stone putting all three parties at odds and no way to cut the tension.

The plan

After a bunch of negotiation, they find out the Prince's are also unable to escape the Umbral Veil, and you can only leave if you're the one who willingly enters. Everybody agrees to travel together with an understanding that they will continue this argument and fight between them once they're able to escape. They travel through the woods and Breezy and Elden hear Gruff calling out from the woods, but she is already traveling with them, so they write it off as the woods being creepy. Then, they notice Old Tibbits in the trees about to attack, when Gruff shoots him and attacks him for attempting to sneak up on the group. The party becomes suspicious of Gruff as Old Tibbits first warns them of danger before scurrying off pleading for his life.

They continue their travel and find the witch of the woods, who is a Dryad, melded into the bark of an ancient tree with purple leaves. She introduces herself as Aluneth the Barkmother, and she lets them know that everybody left from the ballroom teleported with them and are lost in the woods, including Sawyn, and vague references that the party figures out are the other High Lords and Ladies. She agrees to let them out if they're able to close a portal to the void that she says is endangering her woods. They agree and send the devils, the brothers, and thane to each go out and save some of the six groups lost in the woods.

The True Prince

The party goes to the furthest part on the map, and as they approach they see Gruff in the trees wrapped in some kind of cloth. When they turn to look at the Gruff they were traveling with, they see that she pickpocketed Sundew's Crystal and uses it on the party. Everyone but Elden is paralyzed, and as he starts to talk to the imposter, Gruff begins to cut her binds. They find out that the imposter is the Original Prince that the Satyr King stole to swap with his son, and he grew up among the corpses of the Court of Wonder. He seeks vengeance against the Satyr King, and wanted the party to tell him where he is. The cloak currently wrapping Gruff allows him to shapeshift into that person with all their memories and thoughts.

Gruff frees herself sneakily and drops from the tree, sending the party into a combat in which has the imposter, called Maskweaver, disappearing and reappearing to attack while the magical canvas-like fabric attempts to grapple and hit them. The party tries to negotiate with Maskweaver while also stabbing him repeatedly, but the tide turns once Bubbles is able to repeadedly stun him as the party rebounds and fights him off. His spirit broken, Maskweaver disappears with the magical fabric, leaving the party again alone in the quiet forest.