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tables/dice found at https://generators.just-us.net/solo/dnd
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See the session in color as AJ wrote it.

Session 1

Travel Points: 12
Location: [[L8]] Red Street District of [[Sentinel’s Rest]] (4 → 12)
Weather: Clear

[!oracle]
Q: The Boys have just left Shieldhaven Academy with a rucus going on inside. Is the town aware the Academy is having issues?
(1d20: [3] = 3)
No

Q: Is anything of note happening in Red Street district?
(1d20: [3] = 3)
No

Alex grumps as he dusts himself off. “I guess we aren’t getting that compass.”

“We don’t need it.” Nox says. “We can do this. Let’s find someone who knows what this image might be of?”

“Where do you suppose we start?” Alex asked.

All around them was bustling town smack dab in the middle of arid lands. If it weren’t for the Spring that the Silver Hand had found and controlled this would be a waste land.

“We could start in a Tavern, ask about it?” Nox said hopefully. “We could ask anyone really.”

Alex smirked. “You want to go into a Tavern. Aren’t you afraid of getting bullied by some big strong men?” Alex taunted.

Nox shrugged. “You can go back if you want.” He suggested and headed down the street towards where a crowd had formed.

[!oracle]
Q: Is anything going that is drawing the attention of the crowd?
(1d20: [12] = 12)
Yes, but
Pattern, Curiosity, Temperature

As they got closer Nox heard whispers of the temperature dropping. When he turned around to find Alex he was surprised the other boy hadn’t followed him.

[!nox] Nox’s Inner Thoughts
Where did he go? By the Shattered Moon! Where is he?

[!encounter]
Nox searches for Alex (Investigation)
1d20+2: [7]+2 = 9

Alex hides from nox (Stealth)
1d20+4: [19]+4 = 23

Nox returns to where he was ignoring what he had just heard. He stands where Alex had stood and looked around in a circle frantically.

[!nox] Nox’ thoughts
Where is he?

In his head Nim speaks. Good riddance to the Goblinbrain. We don’t need him, Darkling. The scaly hands caressed Nox’s cheek as Nim sat invisibly on his shoulder.

[!oracle]
District: 1d6: [6] = 6 → Green Boulevard Tavern District

Alex seems to have disappeared and Nox begins to wander [[Sentinel’s Rest]] searching for him. Though after a while he does give up and finds himself on Green Boulevard, a notoriously rowdy district full of taverns and drunkards.

[!oracle]
Q: Does anything happen to Nox while he is in the tavern district?>
(1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
Yes

Q: Does it have anything to do with Alex?
(1d20: [14] = 14)
Yes

Q: Does Alex try to prank Nox?
(1d20: [13] = 13)
Yes

Q: Does he try to jump out at him?
(1d20: [8] = 8)
No, but Downward, Accomplice, Vibration
Ai: Together, these words suggest that instead of jumping out, Alex is setting up something more elaborate, possibly from a hidden, lower position with the help of someone else. The vibration might be a clue that something is about to happen or is being set in motion, hinting at a more complex prank involving movement, sound, or an object that will catch Nox off guard.

[!encounter]

Nox’s Passive Perception
17

Adventure Status
4 (12)

A cheerful drunk wanders past Nox and in his wake is a trail of sparks much like the ones that had attacked him earlier. Nox jumps out of the way of the glittering illusions but begins to look around for the perpetrator. It could only be Alex.

Nox spies Alex hiding in the shadows behind a barrel outside of The Yellow Gnome tavern.

“I’ve been looking all over for you and you’ve been following me?” Nox growls as he stalks over to the shadows.

[!nox] Nox’s Inner Thoughts
At least we found him.

Oh the joy! Nim echoed in his head.

Alex smirked and pulled Nox down into a crouch as others passed by the barrel. Their faces are close.

[!alex] Alex’s Thoughts
I should kiss him.

[!nox] Nox’s Thoughts
Zresh… he’s so close. Those eyes… His lips…

Nox looks down and pulls away to turn towards the street where Alex had just pulled him from. “Why are we hiding?”

Alex sighs. “I thought I heard someone saying something about Kael.”

[!encounter]
Q: Alex tries to deceive Nox (Nox’s passive insight) (12)
(1d20+3: [1]+3 = 4)
Fail but Brother, Title, Daughter
AI: Together, these words might indicate that the people in front of Nox and Alex are discussing Kael’s relationship with a brotherly figure and a potential title he held or was expected to gain. They might also be talking about a young woman, possibly a daughter of someone significant, who could be linked to Kael’s disappearance or the circumstances surrounding it. This conversation might provide clues about Kael’s connections, his possible fate, or those searching for him.
An unknown (criminal) organization (The Midnight Veil) is looking for Kael Stormcrest, who is the brother to the Warden of the Northern Winds. The person who is looking for Kael is know as The Daughter of Shadows.

Nox is about to say something as he doesn’t believe Alex, but Alex holds his finger over his lips indicating Nox should be quiet. As they listen to the conversation two well armed men have just inside the alley where they hid behind a barrel.

“We can’t find the Warden of the Northern Winds’ brother anywhere.” The large burly man said.

The smaller man with a peg leg speaks with a foreign accent. “The Daughter of Shadows won’t like this. I’m not going to tell her. Let’s keep looking.”

The two men stumble off into The Yellow Gnome ‘looking’ for the missing beastkin.

Alex chuckles. “See I told you I heard something about Kael. And you didn’t believe me.”

“I heard something about the Warden of Northern Winds and the Daughter of shadows, but not about Kael.” Nox said.

Alex laughed as he stood up and took Nox by the hand. “You see.” He taps his head. “Kael’s brother is Warden of the Northern Winds. I remember him bragging about being all high and might up north. Pompous birdbrain as he was.”

“So who’s this Daughter of Shadows and why does she want Kael?” Nox asked.

“I don’t know. But I think we need to find Kael and find out.” Alex said. “You still got that drawing?”

Nox nodded and pulled the sketch from his pack. “Yeah.”

Alex took it from his hands. “I don’t think this is what it looks like.” Alex waved the paper in his hands before folding it in his pocket. Let’s find a room for the night. So we can do this in privacy and comfort.

Alex lead Nox to another tavern across the street. The sign read “The Clever Bastard”.

Inside was clean and warm. The boys hadn’t realized how cool the air was getting as the sun set.

A bard played on the platform off to the side. Neither boy paying much attention to the lyrics as they made their way to the counter at the back.

Alex stepped up with his coin purse in his hand and bright smile.

[!nox] Nox’s Thoughts
I wish he’d smile at me like that.

“We’d like a room. And whatever the house plate and special are for the night brought up to the room?” He said plaining and over the music.

“That’ll be 2 silver.” The small redheaded woman said as she wiped her hands on her bar towel.

Alex handed over a gold piece. “And breakfast in the morning.”

The innkeeper smiled at Alex as if there was something special about the boy she was serving.

“And you can keep the change for that smile.”

[!encounter]
Q: Charm the Innkeeper (12)
(1d20+3: [11]+3 = 14)
Success

Her smile widened and she stared at Alex before remembering she had a job to do.

She reached under the counter and produced a key. “Top of the stairs third door on the right. There is only one bed.” She said offhandedly.

[!nox] Nox’s Thoughts
One bed? What were they supposed to do with one bed… specially if Alex was bringing a friend to it…

Alex took the key with a wink and headed towards the stairs with Nox barely in tow. Alex looked back, “Well come on.”

Nox followed dutifully behind Alex and through the door to their now shared room.

Alex looked around and shoved the bed to the side and moved things around so he had a good 5 feet of space in the middle of the floor. He then tossed his bag on to the bed. “Maybe I can identify the spell Kael put on it. Why else would he leave it in plain sight for anyone to find?”

“That’s a good point.”

“We’ll wait till the food and drink arrive.” Alex said as he rummaged through his bag on the bed.

There was a Knock. Nox answered the door and the Innkeeper herself brought the food up. She looked at the displaced furniture and raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she set the plates and goblets on the table. “You boys need anything else?” She said wiping her fingers on her apron again.

[!encounter]
Q: Nox’s insight into the innkeeper (12)
(1d20+4: [10]+4 = 14)
Success

Adventure Status
4 (12)

Nox notices that the innkeeper is a little nervous even as she flirts with Alex.

Alex looks up from his rummaging. “We are good. Thanks.” He waved her off and she looks disappointed.

“That was mean, ya know.” Nox said sitting down at the table with what looked to be rabbit and potatoes. He took a big whiff of the dark amber ale in the goblet and Nox frowned pushing the drink to the middle of the table. “I’m not drinking that.”

Alex looked at him with a grin. “It got what I wanted. And I didn’t want her. You really do think I’m a whore don’t you?”

Nox stammered. “I.. I don’t.”

Alex rolled his eyes as he sat down across from Nox and pulled a long swig from the goblet. “North Brew, it’s not too bad. Could have been Goblen’s Piss. That shit taste like the name, but boy does it have a kick.” Alex didn’t hesitate after his drink and tore into his rabbit with his fingers. Nearly throwing it across the table. “Zresh that’s hot.”

Nox chuckled but ate his meal with the provided fork and not his fingers.

---

[!oracle]
Q: Is the drawing enchanted?
(1d20: [3] = 3)
No

Alex set up the preparations for the spell he was about to cast. Nox watched with curiosity as Alex set down on the floor in the middle of a large circle with a large brown feather from an owl in front of him, and on top of it a shiny, large pearl.

Alex began chanting. “Teralas dorun, ezrak venmor.”

For one minute Nox watch Alex draw power into him and hold the sketch in his hand.

The paper glowed and when the glow vanished Alex growled. “Nothing. Not a fucking thing.”

“So what is it then?” Nox gingerly took the paper from Alex and helped the other boy up.

Alex shrugged. “We could find a map, find some mountains. Maybe ask around.”

“Asking around might bring those men after us or the Daughter of Shadows. Or the Warden of the Northern Winds might think we are the ones out to get his brother. “

Alex sighed. “So just wander around until we find him? That doesn’t sound like a good plan. We could ask around about the drawing, if you think it’s related. We also have Kael’s journal.”

Nox held up the weathered journal he’d been holding.

[!oracle]
Q: Is there anything to help the boys on their hunt for Kael Stormcrest in his journal?
(1d20: [15] = 15)
Yes

Q: Does it tell there where he went?
(1d20: [2] = 2)
No, and Communion, Indication, Warrant
AI: Together, these words might indicate that Kael’s disappearance is linked to something much larger and more dangerous than Nox and Alex initially thought. The journal suggests that Kael was in communion with a significant power or group, hints at troubling signs that something was wrong, and implies that someone might have been after him, possibly with legal or nefarious intent. This complicates the mystery, suggesting that Kael was involved in something perilous, which led to his disappearance under circumstances that now seem far more threatening.

Q: Does it reveal what he was doing?
(1d20: [18] = 18)
Yes

Q: Does it have anything to do with the Daughter of Shadow?
(1d20: [14] = 14)
Yes

Q: Did Kael know who she worked for?
(1d20: [10] = 10)
Maybe Nobility, Area, Employment

[!encounter]
Q: Nox investigates the journal (12)
(1d20+2: [6]+2 = 8)
Fail but History, Slice, Shape
AI: Together, these words suggest that Nox uncovers a piece of historical information, possibly incomplete or fragmented, that involves a specific shape or symbol. This discovery might be a small but important part of a larger puzzle, hinting at something significant from the past that ties into Kael’s disappearance. It could be a clue related to an ancient artifact, a forgotten location, or a mysterious symbol that Nox needs to investigate further.

Nox sits down at the table and starts flipping through the book. He find a passage that looks like it might be part of an answer to a riddle or something.

Alex pulls the book away from him and sits down at the table with Nox and flips through the journal himself.

[!encounter]
Q: Alex investigates the book (12)
(1d20+1: [20]+1 = 21)
Success and Man, Shame, Alarm

Alex flips almost directly the page he wanted. His eyes open wide and he frowns. “It looks like Kael was searching for an artifact. And his brother was interested in it.” Alex’s finger trailed along the words as he read. “It says here that The Daughter of Shadows was also looking for it for his brother.”

“So wait, The Daughter of Shadows was hired by the Warden to find the artifact and now she’s looking for Kael. Those guys didn’t sound like they wanted to help him.” Nox said.

“I don’t think so either.”

[!oracle]
Q: Is there anything else of note in the journal for the boys to find?
(1d20: [19] = 19)
Yes, and Enlighten, Rescue, Boy

Alex flipped a few more pages and jabbed his finger into the page. “Oh, oh. It says right here he was planning a trip to [[Storms Watch]], a little mountain side village where he thought there was an entrance to some [[The Iron Spire]] where the [[Stormcaller Scepter]] lay. This is where we are going.”

“Any idea where it is?” Nox asked.

Alex shook his head. “Now but we can ask about the village in the morning. I’m going downstairs to get another drink. We can share the bed. I think we are both man enough to share a bed with nothing happening.”

Nox just nodded and Alex grabbed a book from his bag and his lute and headed down stairs.