Session 9 Player Notes — Downtime in Fork

These are the players’ own session notes, preserved from the party’s game document. They capture the table’s perspective – what the players saw, did, and said.

Key Events

Elora and Timothy Vinzent reconnect at the Fork temple; Lux refines his healing gift through prayer to Ilmater
Lyra runs a masterful grift at high tea, stealing a bracelet, ruby, and 103 platinum from wealthy nobles
Guts’ sword compels him to slaughter orcs in a bar, then the sword grants him Detect Thoughts (1/day)
The party extracts the shadow orb from Khaial’s chest; Elora pulls his soul back from beyond the mirror; Khaial is reborn and de-aged 11 years
Khaial departs with the Coatl and a Deva on a celestial journey, leaving Nemesis with the Inspired Leader feat for Reaghl
Arawn destroys Azir’s animated corpse Luxenstein with an Arrow of Slaying
The party is taken as captive gladiators in Brachiatus’s Ludis; Reeny is held by Emperor Petronius Minimus

Session Notes

Arrival and Healing at the Temple

The party arrives in Fork. Elora heals Lyra and Guts with Greater Restoration. There is a lot of construction in town – people who left Silverton went to Fork or Mistwatch, and Fork was half the size of Silverton. The people have a real passion for gladiator combat. A large hill in Fork holds the Emperor’s palace, small compared to Highpoint’s.

Elora develops a spidey sense. She notices guards in the city, two of them locked onto her, trying to be stealthy. She heads to a local temple. Lux notices their clothes are similar to the soldiers’ the night Reaghl was taken. At the temple, people line up outside waiting to be healed. The priest is the same one from Highpoint – the first dodgy church that told them about the unholy water. Timothy Vinzent.

Timothy says High Priest Barnett has been speaking of Elora. In the last few months, clerics have been trained in a new way of helping people. It has been a demanding time – all clerics who get their powers from Kelemvor have lost them for months. They have been helping heal followers and assist with funeral processions. Barnett sent Timothy to Fork on the off chance he might run into Elora, to provide support.

Timothy invites them to the statue of Ilmater and invites Elora to pray for Lux to refine his healing power. Lux is feeling like he is not a person of faith, stumbling without guidance. Timothy says: “Maybe you don’t need faith.” He puts his hand on Elora’s shoulder. “If we can support each other, maybe that is faith enough.” Lux replies: “That’s easy. That I can do.”

They kneel at the altar with candles and the statue of Ilmater. Elora asks Ilmater for help for Lux to refine his gift and not be wasteful. The statue gains a radiant glow that floods over Elora, growing brighter, swirling around her. Lux approaches a person with a broken arm and lays on hands for 8 HP, keeping one in reserve. He gives 3 copper to the collection tin. He heals one more person with his remaining HP. Elora thanks Ilmater before they leave.

Lyra’s Grift at High Tea

Elora and Lux meet Guts at the temple. Lyra joins them. Reeny is left with Arawn. Guts has a to-go bag full of snacks from their fancy hotel.

Lyra disguises herself as a small female noble child. They are told to go to the docks for “serious shit.” Lyra pretends to be lost, approaching wealthy nobles asking about her parents while picking pockets.

She is taken to high tea with 7 wealthy women. “We can’t have you wandering off getting lost.” She eats cakes with them.

“Where are you from?” “From just up town? We came down because apparently the bakery is really good.” “I had a daughter just like you.” “Oh, what happened to her?” “Oh, our husbands visited Silverton that day, and we just have a little support group…”

“My dad went to Silverton that day too. I miss him every day!” The woman sniffs: “Bring the salted caramels!” Lyra and a woman reach for the truffles and Lyra hooks the woman’s bracelet into her stolen goods. She eats a cream puff. “Thank you so much for having me.” She leans against the woman’s shoulder and slips the woman’s pouch into her pocket.

“Do you know if they’ve resolved the ownership issues out of Silverton?” “They will, they will. Such fortunes going to waste.”

Lyra squints. “What does ownership mean?” “It’s not all owned by the man on the hill. You should act on it as soon as you can.”

“My mum is going to be so excited by all the things I have learned.” When asked what house she is from: “The House of Finite.” She pretends to see her mother: “I can see her!!! Thank you so much!” And dashes away.

Haul: Bracelet worth 520 gold. Ruby worth 150 gold. Pouch with 103 platinum (1,030 gold). As guards are called, Lyra adjusts her appearance to an older human male. Eight guards call out: “Have you seen a little girl?” Lyra: “I just saw her. She bolted down that way!” The guards run past.

Lyra finds a blacksmith. She pulls out the bracelet. “That’s a fancy bracelet for an adventure type.” “Yeah, I found it.” The smith bangs the ruby off. Lyra wants the gold melted into coins with an image stamped on them. He charges 500 gold.

Guts and the Sword – The Bar Incident

Guts, Elora, and Lux wander through the city looking for a magic shop. Elora notices dodgy establishments with people hiding entries and exits. They head down an alley. Guts notices an orc playing cards.

His sword speaks in his head: “You just want to tease me, don’t you? The deal’s off, brother. Cards? Lopping off heads? It’s all the same.” Guts sits down to play. “Ah, foreplay!”

The orc grunts: “What the fuck do you want?” “To play some cards.” “Pull up a fucking chair. Got some gold?” The sword whispers: “I love the foreplay. Let’s make him our friend before we lop him.”

Lux continues investigating. He finds a man with the air of an illegal trader – eye patch, sitting with goons. Elora walks with Lux over. “We may as well make this quick.” The man asks about budget. Lux asks: “For information or the product?” “We’re brokers.” “I won’t kill you today.” “I like this guy.” He directs them to a pirate ship at the docks.

Guts wins 200 gold, then stands up and slices the orc in half with his sword. Everyone stands. Five men attack Guts. One hits with a dagger for 8 piercing. “You call that a piece? My daughter has a pierced ear that hurt more than that.” Four bolt. One slips and falls. He notices another orc bouncer by the exit.

Lux casts Invisibility on Guts. People are screaming: “Roger! Roger! Not again. Just because you’re a halfie.” Lux moves toward the door: “This place has lost its appeal. We need to leave.”

“Okay,” Guts moans, complaining as his sword holds him in place. The half-orc on the stairs is shoulder-charging others. The orc sees furniture thrown through the air. Guts stabs the orc, pulls back, strikes again, slicing through the wall and the orc’s neck. The bar is in panic. Guts rages at his lack of control. No more orcs in the room. He runs out, a trail of blood dripping from the sword.

Lux and Elora bolt through the door. Elora ties it shut. She breathes out: “Well, that was even quicker than I thought it would be. First day in Forks.”

Lyra’s Revenge on the Blacksmith

Lyra goes to collect (steal) her belongings back from the blacksmith. They are not there. She cleans out his entire weaponry into her bag of holding. An anvil and hammer are left. The hammer is inscribed: “To my darling Raal.” Lyra leaves it – he needs something to complete her job. She returns to the hotel, waking everyone up and dumping the weapons on the floor.

The Pirate Ship and Magic Items

The party heads to the pirate ship for magical items. They acquire:

Amulet of the Devout (+2)
Arcane Grimoire (+2)

Extracting the Shadow Orb and Khaial’s Rebirth

Back at the hotel, Lux keeps looking at the object in Khaial’s chest. It looks bad. He tells Khaial it is bad for his health. Khaial barely breathes and is practically undead. They hypothesise Greater Restoration may help.

As soon as the object falls out of Khaial, everyone feels a desire to pick it up. Lux casts Mage Hand to put it in the bag of holding. It is an object with life inside it, connected to another plane.

Elora casts her spell. She feels herself pulling the soul back, the spiderweb of a thread pulling between her fingers. Tears stream from her eyes. Lux channels his healing on her. Blood streams from Guts’ arm where he has chopped off his forearm. Arawn sees a golden glitter floating through the room.

Elora pulls on the thread. It gets heavier and heavier. Beneath Khaial’s body is another body, 30 feet below – Kyle from the Unstoppables, one of the bodies from beyond the mirror. Kyle is weighing Khaial down. She pulls him toward her. Within recognition distance, his eyes open: “You have finally come for me, mother.” He reaches out. His hand is cold. His lips turn from grey to purple, warming. He gasps. His soul has returned to the material plane. She pulls him through the barrier. Kyle disappears.

Elora opens her eyes. She is in the room with all her friends around her. Khaial opens his eyes: “Thank you.”

Khaial looks exhausted but better than he has since before he left. Lux gives him a box: “Today you are reborn. The days of you suffering in servitude can be reversed.” He takes the potion. It takes 11 years off his life – the age his younger brother was. The grey fades, his skin becomes smoother. He has gone back to being 39 years old.

Lux shows Khaial the mirror. Khaial says: “Show me my brother when he last saw him.” He sees his little brother. The resemblance is uncanny. Bringing the other Kyle back restored all of his HP.

They sleep. Lux heals Guts with 8 HP (1 remaining) and gives the last HP to Khaial. Guts attunes to the Arcane Propulsion Arm from the ASS tower. As he meditates, the straps do nothing – it goes up his arm into the bone, drilling into his body. No blood. The fist can open to shoot Chromatic Orb.

Guts’ Dream – Polaris and the Silver Pools

Guts is asleep. His body is dragged through a doorway. Flames lick the walls of a cavern – this is where he was felled by the dragon in his dream. He feels fire. He is still burning. He has the tattoo of absorption. He is thrown onto a table and strapped down. The room is 30 feet wide and stretches as far as he can see. Walls of golden material like the inside of a watch. Circular tanks on the sides hold fluid – each contains either a woman with snow-white hair or a hulking man that looks just like Guts. To the left: a lake. To the right: an empty doorway and two pools of liquid metal.

An attractive human woman with golden skin, snow-white hair, grey eyes, and classical features. Good posture. Grace. Next to her: a creature with a single large eye, two arms and legs. (“It’s Mike from Monsters Inc.”) She says: “Retnik, please pass me that scalpel.” “As the Lady Polaris wishes.”

She cuts a 3x3 inch square where Guts’ original arm was, peels the skin back. He does not feel much. She lays it on a tray. Patches of 1x1 squares also cut away.

She looks at a man standing across the table, asking where Guts cut off his arm. “It was clean.” She cuts into the bicep above the arm, takes a small metal ball, and pushes it into the flesh. She gestures to “Mike” to change the wound. He stitches it up.

The man: “Chasing orcs and goblins isn’t going to last for long. Back there was a shit show.”

She asks Mike what he sees. He buzzes. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“What about the Elvish one?”

“We’ve achieved everything we set out to do, my lady.”

“Then it’s time to bring him back.”

“What if he’s too strong?”

“What would you have me do?”

She gestures toward two pools of silver. Doors open to a veil of silver water – he saw this in the pyramid. A similar effect. Two cat-like creatures emerge from the silver. The man pulls Guts’ body from the table and throws it into the vats. Guts’ eyes close. He wakes in his room, covered in sweat.

Guts wipes down with a towel and goes back to sleep. As he nods off, the familiar voice: “Guts, it’s been a tough ride. We have new orders. I was just doing what I was told. Until tomorrow.”

Khaial’s Departure

Day 3. The Coatl pops into the room. Lux sees an angelic, muscular Deva. The Coatl explains it searched for Khaial but never found him. It consorted with other celestials and was directed to Lux’s celestial guide. They explain to Khaial that he is required and his mother is waiting for him. The Coatl wraps its wing around Khaial, along with the Deva.

Khaial’s farewell: “Brothers. Sisters. It’s been unreal. Look after Reaghl. He is one of our brothers. Find him. You know me. I’ll send something. Whatever is waiting for me will assist us all. I came on this journey to find family, but this is my family. It won’t be long. I’m sure I’ll be like Gandalf in the Two Towers.”

“You know where my inspiration comes from. This is not my gift. It is my gift to you all. Seek out what you are willing to fight for. Short rests and long rests – it’s in here. Do not forget that.”

“I have had the best of times, no worst of times. Even watching Guts get cut down by the dragon acid in front of me, seeing arrows flying at everyone’s head, seeing Arawn shoot at me in the Shadowfell – the best of times. Seeing Lyra through the mirror. You nearly killed that thing in one shot. You don’t need a weapon, you are the weapon. Find that in you. You want blood. You are the blood.”

“And Elora, you saved my life. When you need a life saved, I will be there. I fucking guarantee that.”

The wings wrap around him, and he disappears.

Inspired Leader feat is given to Reaghl.

Arawn Destroys Luxenstein

Day 4. Azir is walking through the garden in the city with Luxenstein. Arawn spots him and shoots with his Arrow of Slaying. 104 points of damage. A brightness tears up the sky. The animated corpse is ripped apart by radiant light. Pure shock as Arawn destroys Luxenstein right in front of Azir’s eyes. Azir is spooked – the energy is intense enough for him to remember it.

Arawn hides behind trees with full cover. Azir looks for a part of the corpse to reanimate, but nothing is left – just a fiery burn mark on the pavement. Azir completely disappears.

The Ludis and Reaghl’s Story

Day 4 continues. The party goes to the arena. They witness Reaghl’s fight. When Guts and Reaghl hug, psionic energy explodes – a fire binds them (present in their dream). Just a flash. The centre of the arena lowers into the catacombs. Elora casts Channel Divinity for Reaghl (42 HP). Arawn shoots a healing arrow: “You still look like shit.” He gives 8 HP.

Reaghl embraces everyone. His embrace is rough, not delicate. He pulls Arawn almost off his feet. He looks at Lux: “You’re still around, Boy. That’s interesting. I’m sure you’ve become a great utility for the group. Where is Khaial? What have you done with Khaial?”

Guts: “It wasn’t me.” Elora explains Khaial’s journey with the Coatl. Lyra explains they have been through a lot and this is probably the best outcome. Lux says: “It was one of the hardest things we could do as a group, to see our leader leave. But from where he’s been, it was a celebration to see him leave alive, healthy, young, and motivated. He is off on his journey now, and we will miss him but at least we can miss him rather than mourn him.”

Reaghl’s briefing: “Nevertheless, the story here is far from the beginning and far from over. This city is not what it seems. Whatever they told you will be a lie. Whatever you are here for will be a lie. They will know more about you than you think. If they’ve connected you to me, you are already a captive. I’m sorry for what comes next. But Fork is just another part of our adventure. We’re here together now.”

He explains the city’s secrets. They have their own militia and allies as well as enemies. Some enemies and targets have been identified. They have a weapons cache. Outside of the Ludis, they have help. “Prepare for what is about to happen.”

Reeny is taken from the room. Madame Ava studies each of them closely with her crystal ball, then leaves. Lux and Elora are bound with special manacles – steel encasing the entire hands. They are put in carriages and taken to the Ludis.

Life in the Ludis

They arrive at about 3pm. They meet the people of the Ludis. Silver the Monk has been training up gladiators. The party breaks into drills and develops combat manoeuvres for the arena: Lux & Elora, Arawn & Lyra, Reaghl & Guts.

While sleeping, Guts is restless, almost in a trance. He explains he is in battle with Silver, training like the Matrix inside his mind.

Outside the Ludis: Felix, another gladiator who originally escaped with Reaghl. He is the instigator of the resistance.

Reaghl’s backstory in the arena: They threw him into a black hole for a few days, then into the arena. Others who originally escaped with him were in that carriage. He was forced to fight soldiers he had previously fought alongside. He convinced his group to subdue rather than kill. Reaghl cast Sleep on some. Their group attacked the troll stringing up unconscious victims.

The arena brought out their most powerful gladiator – incredibly powerful, showboating, confident. Reaghl’s group was barely armed. Reaghl’s friend Sam was lost. Sam always reminded him of a young Guts.

Brachiatus loves making money from Reaghl but hates the name Reaghl – prefers Rebelliatus. The emperor is called Petronius Minimus.

The Grand Event – Nemesis Enters the Arena

The party is brought into the arena as Nemesis. The crowd is the size of the Rebelliatus fight. In the emperor’s booth: Reeny, Madame Ava, and Brachiatus. Multiple arch mages, personal guards, 100 guards on the perimeter, wizards on posts constantly casting a field around the arena.

In the crowd: Azir, sitting by himself. The Unstoppables are in the arena with Kyle. Elora expects Kyle to be self-assured, but he is completely humble and insular. De-animated. Arawn notices the girl with the green fish cloak watching him.

It is game day. Everyone is drinking and getting rowdy. A young boy stands before the emperor. Mages gesture and the crowd’s volume dims.

“All rise for his Grace Emperor Petronius, leader of the New Alliance.” The emperor raises his hand.

“My loyal men, women, and children. Fork salutes you. We spared no expense ensuring the prior group of gladiators could be returned to face justice. Today is a special occasion. For the last few days we have seen the great Rebelliatus conquer his enemies. A man who could defeat a chimera!” The crowd chants “Rebelliatus.” One man yells: “Reaghl the Rebellious!” – and the sound cuts off.

“It’s fair to say that we’ve all had our fill, and yet there is so much more to be had.” The arena floor begins to lower. “For the next 10 days our gladiators will be fighting as the group of Nemesis.” The crowd chants the group’s name.

“For those who do not know the story, this is also a reunion. And we will also teach a lesson.” They pull Reeny up and put her hand in a metal device. He backhands Reeny across the face and stares at her. “How poetic that the girl who could destroy the radiant bridge now sits by my side as we bring in a new age.” Reeny spits blood into his face.

The emperor laughs. “For those out there who represent the factions who seek to destroy our power, we have our eye on you. If you want to bring your queen to justice you will sit down and do what you are told to do. Now begin the reunion!!!”

Items & Loot

Bracelet – 520 gold (stolen by Lyra, broken down by blacksmith)
Ruby – 150 gold (removed from bracelet)
Pouch – 103 platinum / 1,030 gold (pickpocketed by Lyra)
Amulet of the Devout (+2) – from pirate ship
Arcane Grimoire (+2) – from pirate ship
Blacksmith’s entire weaponry – stolen by Lyra into bag of holding
200 gold – won by Guts at cards
Guts’ Sword – grants Detect Thoughts (1/day)
Arcane Propulsion Arm – attuned by Guts (drills into bone, can fire Chromatic Orb)

NPCs Encountered

Timothy Vinzent – Priest from Highpoint, now assigned to Fork temple by High Priest Barnett. Helps Lux refine his healing gift through Ilmater.
Azir – Seen in Fork with Luxenstein. Spooked after Arawn destroys his animated corpse.
Luxenstein – Azir’s animated corpse. Destroyed by Arawn’s Arrow of Slaying (104 damage).
Danny – Sand skiff captain, mentioned in connection with Master Dazzlebelt.
Master Dazzlebelt – Gnomish tinker. Lyra commissions him to create a magical sword from purple worm blood.
Lady Polaris – Appears in Guts’ dream. Golden skin, snow-white hair, grey eyes. Has tanks of clones. Implants a metal ball in Guts’ bicep.
Retnik – Creature with a single large eye (“Mike from Monsters Inc”), assists Polaris.
Reaghl – Gladiator champion “Rebelliatus”. Reunited with the party. Warns Fork is not what it seems.
Silver – Monk in the Ludis. Trains gladiators. Trains Guts in a Matrix-like mental battle.
Felix – Gladiator who escaped with Reaghl. Instigator of the resistance.
Madame Ava – Studies the party with her crystal ball. Associated with Brachiatus.
Titus Brachiatus – Owner of the Ludis. Seizes Reeny. Loves money, hates the name Reaghl.
Emperor Petronius Minimus – Emperor of Fork, leader of the New Alliance. Backhands Reeny in front of the crowd.
Kyle (of the Unstoppables) – In the arena. Unexpectedly humble and insular.
The Coatl and the Deva – Celestials who come for Khaial and take him on his journey.

Notable Quotes

Timothy Vinzent: “Maybe you don’t need faith. If we can support each other, maybe that is faith enough.”
Khaial (departing): “Brothers. Sisters. It’s been unreal… I came on this journey to find family, but this is my family.”
Khaial (to Elora): “And Elora, you saved my life. When you need a life saved, I will be there. I fucking guarantee that.”
Lux (on Khaial): “It was one of the hardest things we could do as a group, to see our leader leave.”
Reaghl: “This city is not what it seems. Whatever they told you will be a lie.”
Guts: “You call that a piece? My daughter has a pierced ear that hurt more than that.”
Elora (after the bar): “Well, that was even quicker than I thought it would be. First day in Forks.”
Lyra (disguised as a child): “My mum is going to be so excited by all the things I have learned.”
Reeny: Spits blood into Petronius’s face.
Guts: “This city is going to burn.”
Reaghl (to Lux): “You’re still around, Boy. That’s interesting.”