Peace and Redemption, Session 1

 Hello everyone, and welcome back to Delving Wolf!

Today I will post the recap of the first session of the 5e GMless campaign me and my partner played on the first evening of the year, but before getting to that, a few notes about the campaign.

We decided to start it a few months ago, I had the idea because our IRL group was imploding (then it didn't, then it did again...it's a story for another post), and we had a session 0. We decided 5e as the system because at the time we both had only experience in that, starting at level 3 to not be too frail (looking back at it now that I'm more into OSR, this is ironic) with Mythic GME for the fate chart and random events; I chose a Ranger and my partner chose a Cleric. 

We made the world map that you can see in the picture with the ageless method of pouring rice on the paper and marking the edges of the world, then throwing dice on it to mark mountains, towns, lakes and the like. Then we didn't touch it for a while, because being adult is sadly often in contrast with dedicating to a hobby.

Towards the end of 2024 the IRL group imploded again, so it was time to finally pick our GMless campaign back and actually start it, so we did, and you can read how it went as written down by my partner below.

One last funny note before we start: throughout the whole session we did not use 5e's mechanics even once, only Mythic's Fate Chart to see whether things were going as we imagined them or not, and it surprised us a few times!

Without further ado, here's the recap, by Tancaliel:

Our story begins at the Temple of Eldath. 

The temple of the goddess of peace is situated on a small island in the center of a large lake, that sits precisely on the border between the kingdoms of Alaezar and Ostren. Together with Vantis, the kingdom in the south, these three nations make up the eastern half of the continent of Ophios. They are allied also with the Traezonean Isles, an archipelago off of the west coast of the mainland. In between, however, lies a region known to the denizens of the four allied nations as the Wildlands of Utrad, separated from the nations in the east by a massive mountain range, the Unscaled Heights.

The Servants of Eldath are known throughout the continent as master diplomats and mediators. They dedicate their lives to keeping the peace within the world, resolving any disturbances that arise and preventing their escalation into greater conflicts or war. On the day our tale begins, we find ourselves at their temple, the acolytes going about their everyday tasks and training. Peacefully, as one might expect.

Until that peace is disturbed by an unknown man stumbling onto the temple grounds, dripping wet and exhausted, looking as if he swam his way across the lake rather than using one of the regular ferries. As a few of the nearby acolytes rush over, he explains that he is here to atone for the crimes he has committed and wishes to be brought before the head of the temple.

Unfortunately, Father Paric Dawnpetal himself is not present at the temple at this moment, and so as protocol dictates, all servants present are instead called together for an impromptu council. The man kneels before them, introducing himself as Einar Aranore, and begins to explain his story. His family was attacked by a Rakshasa, which wounded him with its claws. This left him unable to get any restful sleep, plagued instead by horrible thoughts and waking nightmares. 

After days of this, wandering about in a sleep-deprived delirium trying to find some kind of cure, he was approached by a stranger, a young man whom he now realizes was only trying to help. However, not seeing things clearly in his state of exhaustion, he instead thought it was someone coming to finish him off, and in his panic, killed the man. Not long after, he came upon a hag of the forest, who promised she could release him of his curse. By now on the brink of death, in desperation he agreed to her bargain. True to her word, she lifted the Rakshasa’s curse, though now he is indebted to her, instead. Returning to the scene of his crime with a clear mind, Einar realized that the man he killed was in fact a cleric, carrying the holy symbol of the Temple of Eldath. Feeling deep regret about this atrocious deed, he has made his way to the temple as swiftly as possible, ready to face whatever judgment they wish to bestow upon him.

With shock, the Servants of Eldath immediately recognise the holy symbol and other possessions that Einar presents as those of Dordan Dewmoon, a fellow acolyte who had been recently sent out on a diplomatic mission in Ostren. They are unsure of how to proceed, as such acts against one of their own are rarely heard of, and they don’t want to make any rash decisions without the presence of Father Paric.

Just as they are discussing amongst themselves, Father Paric makes his appearance, returning from his journey earlier than anticipated to bring urgent tidings. That has to be postponed for a moment though as he sees the consternation among the acolytes, who quickly fill him in on the situation.

Father Paric then explains that he has come back early to bring disturbing news from the Kings’ Council that he and the other head priests had been attending. According to King Khoris of Vantis, multiple of the nomadic tribes that normally live peaceful lives in the Wildlands of Utrad, now seem to all have rallied together, gathering just on the other side of the Unscaled Heights near the Pass of Giants. He is convinced they are about to start making the trek through the mountains, looking to invade his kingdom. He wants to send his armies into the Wildlands to launch a preemptive attack on the nomads, something the rulers of the other nations think would be too rash of an act. For now, they have managed to talk him down and hold off on the attack, to first allow a diplomatic envoy of Eldath to meet with the nomads and determine their intentions. One of the Servants must make their way there with the highest urgency, as the other council members have doubts about how long King Khoris can be stalled.

Father Paric proposes that Caezora Oakwhisper be the one to go. He then suggests that to atone for his unfortunate misdeed, Einar can go accompany her and help to protect her on her journey. Both graciously accept and set out to prepare for the mission.

That's it for this post, see you next week!

May your dice never betray you,

Kirhon