Burning Witch Session #38 and Drinking Crow Session #19 Updates

 Here are two play reports from recent sessions.

The first is a recounting in verse by Riverborn Scamandros of the 38th session launched from the Burning Witch which can be read on his player Cullen's blog here.

The second is a page from Bors' journal. The entry was delivered to the surface by an invisible agent of Valtropis as proof of the dwarf's continuing safety. It can be read below:

Bors’ Journal

Entry Twelve:

        I’ve seen many of my companions die, but never have I felt it’s cold embrace before.  That has changed.  While exploring, we found a library that was filled with people. Not wanting to disrupt their research, we gathered some information and then went to explore some more.  Copra, Lefty, and I went down this movable shaft. We were surprised by its ability to move, so Fredrick, Willow, and Malagath did not make it in time.  When the room stopped, we went up a little bit to scout things and then tried to go back to the room to see if we could go back up to gather the rest of the party, but when we did, the four decorative statues that were there came alive and attacked us.  Lefty was able to push his way through back to the movable room and threw the switch to go back up.  I was able to convince Copra to go back as well, leaving me there with the beasts. During the battle, before he left, Copra scored a solid strong hit on one with a falchion, but it did nothing to it.  I was able to take one down with my magical axe, but after that, I saw one jump on me…then nothing.  The next thing I know, Valtropis is standing over me in the “Pool of Life.”  I have faced death it seems. My friends have brought me here, but it seems that I am to be a hostage.  The price is not in gold, however, but to set up a meeting.  Hopefully my friends are able to set it up.  I do not wish to be in here for long, without my family.

        Valtropis is an amicable host. I had thought him to be arrogant at first, and in truth he is a bit so, but he does treat me very well.  Weather it is because he needs me in a good state to get the meeting on a good foot, or if I just misjudged him, I do not know. We share meals together in his office, not only speaking of logistical aspects of things like where we’ve been in the Complex, but also of things metaphysical.  I start one conversation by asking if I am actually alive? I know it seems like an odd question, but I died, truly and terribly. I am thinking and feeling, this is true, but what makes me so different than the undead that we have come across and slaughtered? Am I more their kin than to Lefty and Whiskers? Or does different type of magic really change things. Other conversations we have had were about his use of Vat Spawn as his underlings. I try to convince him that they are complete and autonomous beings, and not to be used as slaves, while he tries to argue that they were made with a specific purpose and that they should fulfill those purposes.  We go back and forth with me citing examples of my companions and him dismissing those a rare fringe cases. While I do not fully agree with this being, my opinion of him is shifting more towards the positive.  

Another, more selfish thought has entered my mind. If we do ally with him, we might not only have future access to this ‘Pool of Life’ but also a possible mentor for our spell casters, not only with the Dragon Slayers, but with the Athenaeum as well! But deals are not one sided, Valtropis did show me some mechanical objects southwest of where I was revived, I wish to study these and see if I can get them functioning again, I do love to tinker!