Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session 41.10 of our face-to-face D&D5e game, which Drew & Divya S. hosted in Needham, Mass., on 7 September 2015:
In one ancient world, there was a place where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.
Sometime after a group of former circus performers wandered aboard the airshipZephyr and a team of diplomatic escorts fought chaos in Tong Sheng, past heroes reunited, and another band gathered on the Sea of Nagendwa….
Player Character roster for Gene D.’s “Vanished Lands” nautical campaign, using Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, as of autumn 2015:
- “Kamar Alazar” [Beruk A.]-male Suthern human swashbuckler (proto-Arabic Bard) of the College of Valor, former member of the “Liberators” and “Dragonslayers”; CG, Lvl. 3
- “Nuriel Earendil” [Brian W.]-male Grey Elf acolyte of light (Cleric of Corellan Larethian); NG, Lvl. 3
- “Kaelen Northsea” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf hunter and horde breaker (Sylvan/Saganim Ranger), seeking his father; NG, Lvl. 3
- “Eldamir Tempestborn” [Rich C.G.]-male Atlantean human soldier (Theran/Minoan Barbarian), tattooed berserker of the Order of the Kingfisher, specialist in the net and trident; CG, Lvl. 3
- “Barret” [Drew S.]-male Minotaur wrestler and gladiator (Fighter) with a wanderlust and a desire to help; LG, Lvl. 3
- “Puliarus Aearion” [Charles S./absent]-male Half-Elf sage (Thalassaquendi storm Sorcerer), seeking to befriend all; CN, Lvl. 3
- “Cassy Keelnipper” [Sara F./absent]-female Otter-kin Rogue, street urchin, and sailor; NG, Lvl. 2
Backup characters:
- “Ludovico ‘Ludo’ Rosso” [Beruk A.]-male human ex-gladiator (Monk; see Bruce K.’s Pathfinder: Eberron/Reign of Winter); LN, Lvl. 1
- “?” [Brian W.]-male Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human Fighter, pragmatist; LN, Lvl. 1
- “?” [Sara F.]-female ?; NG, Lvl. 1
- “Drogan” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Orc (Saganim) Barbarian, with a great sword; CN, Lvl. 1
- “Sebastian Leafsworn” [Rich C.G.]-male Sylvan Elf Monk and sage, with forbidden lore; LG, Lvl. 1
- “Vasco” [Drew S.]-male clockwork butler (Warforged), former member of theZephyr ’s crew, displaced in time and space; LN, Lvl. 1
- “Antoun Miner” [Charles S.]-male Hill Dwarf Druid, healer curious about the sea; TN, Lvl. 1
“19 to 25 October 1227 B.C.E.:” Upon its return to port, the adventuring party split up to distract the crew of the Lazy Goat while a few members checked out the cog for possible slaver gold. Once an alarm was raised, the would-be thieves regrouped and managed to evade blame. They then left on the Floating Eel, a mercenary vessel.
The Floating Eel sails from Drunstimlos north toward Sanry. Kamar is familiar with the route and plays music for the crew and passengers. Nuriel continues catching up with his grandmother Itharides, who has hired the ship to take her to the (proto-Western European) human kingdom of Hifalendor.
Kaelen watches Henry “the Ghost” Grayson, former captain of the pirate ship Bronze Storm and now first mate on the Floating Eel. Eldamir doesn’t trust the Ghost and his men, since the team had fought him previously while aboard the Saganim navy cruiser H.M.S. Dauntless.
Barret peels vegetables in the galley and tells Puliarus about Hendlir, guardian of the ways. Cassy is nowhere to be seen. Itharides tells Nuriel that she is traveling east to deal with people who have betrayed her, and he offers to accompany her.
The Ghost seems to have earned the respect of both Capt. Kassem al-Zaweh’s men and his own former crew, observes Kaelen. Eldamir tells his companions that he has been “communing with the storm lords,” who recommend looking for fellow Atlantean exiles in Hifalendor.
Barret defeats three men in wrestling matches, earning 25 sovereigns (gold pieces). The “Masked Minotaur” notices Severus al Rakeem, a Dubwana (Hobgoblin) corsair, standing apart from the other spectators.
Later that night, Eldamir overhears two sailors murmuring about a mutiny. He discreetly gathers his group and recommends guarding the captain and Itharides.
Kaelen directly asks Grayson about his intentions. The Ghost says he has no intention of turning on Capt. al-Zaweh and that only a third of the current crew is from the Bronze Storm. Grayson suggests talking with Emilio Chauvet, his own former first mate, using the passphrase “Remember those three nights in Falit?”
Kamar and Kaelen arrive on the main deck and are greeted by eight sailors brandishing belaying pins. The Bard casts True Strike, and the Ranger casts Hunter’s Mark on himself.
Nuriel stays close to Itharides and hears two apparently drunk seamen outside her cabin. They bash the door in, and the Cleric of Corellan Larethian draws his sword. The mutineers beat him with makeshift clubs.
Eldamir and Puliarus slip into the water to circle around. The Barbarian and Sorcerer find a Sahuagin, or shark man, lurking near the ship. Barret returns to the galley to watch the armory, but al Rakeem hits the Fighter with a frying pan.
Itharides seems unconcerned as Nuriel Channels Divinity and knocks down both of their attackers with Radiance of the Dawn. The Grey Elves tie them up, don armor, and venture into the corridor. Nuriel casts Cure Light Wounds on himself.
Horned Barret gets into a shoving match with the Hobgoblin, trashing the galley. Suthern (proto-Arabic) human Kamar throws a boarding axe, and Half-Elf Kaelen kills a mutineer with his two short swords.
Eldamir rages against the Sahuagin, but Half-Elf Puliarus misses. Nuriel heads upstairs to the main deck, while Itharides draws her sword Ramaqualme (“Winged Death”) and goes to the crew quarters.
Kaelen kills a second sailor, but he and Kamar are soon overwhelmed by the survivors. Capt. al-Zaweh slays the Sahuagin with a crossbow bolt, and Puliarus stays in the water to make sure the mutineers have no other amphibious allies.
Nuriel casts Burning Hands and Warding Flares before he, too, is knocked out. Fortunately, Eldamir climbs into the captain’s cabin, and he, Capt. al-Zaweh, and the Ghost charge out into the fray.
The mutineers on deck get no reinforcements because Itharides intimidates those in the hold into submission. Eldamir aids Kamar, who casts Sleep on three crew members. Kaelen regains consciousness and stealthily drinks a healing potion.
Kaelen joins Barret’s brawl in the galley and stabs the Hobgoblin before dragging him to the main deck of the Floating Eel. The remaining rebels surrender and are disarmed.
Grayson reports to the captain that out of a crew of about 30 and a dozen mutineers, two are dead, six were wounded, and three are unconscious. Puliarus adds that the Sahuagin is also dead.
Capt. al-Zaweh says that the mutineers will be restrained and set ashore at the next port, but the Ghost sets an example by executing al Rakeem. Kaelen assures the commanders that the rest of the sailors are loyal.
That night, adventurers take double watches alongside the regular crew. Eldamir and Nuriel believe that Itharides hired cutthroats to test human virtue as she travels east to deal with evil guild members.
The Floating Eel arrives at the Saganim (proto-Celtic) human village of Sanry. Nuriel looks for a temple to Ghanki, lord of the sea, but the only chapel in town is dedicated to Brijitt, goddess of fire and poetry. The priest had hoped to ask about finding a replacement for Fr. Gwydion in Drunstimlos.
Kamar performs at the church of Brijitt and flirts with Eileen O’Shea. Most of the Bard’s companions head to the “Steed’s Stream” pub. Kaelen prays to tempest god Ano Wasu, and the scout is disappointed that Sanry has no brothel.
Eldamir learns from Capt. al-Zaweh that the ship is staying only one night and that supplies should be available in the morning. The warrior of the Order of the Kingfisher watches to make sure the mutineers leave.
Remembering that some Saganim peasants are intolerant of nonhumans and arcanists, Puliarus stays with Itharides on the Floating Eel. Barret looks for wrestling matches.
The next morning, the crew and passengers set sail for Semorn, the next coastal community on the way to Hesolin, the capital of Hifalendor. They later pass the swamps that fill the delta of the Aehonir River.
Eldamir recommends having a plan for time ashore in the large city, where there are other ships and potentially paying missions. Swashbuckler Kamar notes that he has been to Hesolin before, with the [D&D3.0] “Liberators” and “Dragonslayers.”
Nuriel wants to explore the local culture, visit the temple of Addoh/Ghanki, and stay with Itharides and the Floating Eel. Kaelen wants to carouse, while Eldamir hopes to find fellow Atlantean exiles.
Barret is interested in acquiring armor and various arenas. Puliarus agrees with Kamar and Eldamir’s caution to stay together.
In terms of identifying their band, Kamar again offers the “Motley Crusaders,” but Eldamir prefers the “Sons of Atlantis.” Puliarus suggests the “Storm Riders.”
The away team bids a temporary farewell to the Floating Eel and enters walled Hesolin. Itharides gets a room at the Golden Horn Hotel for 4 crowns (gold pieces) per night.
Kaelen pays for the rest of the group should also stay at the fancy hotel on the Castle Court. The hunter then visits Gnomish moneychangers on Sailor’s Walk and deposits 18 g.p. in gems, 6 pearls worth 10 g.p. each, 20 crowns, and 8 silver pieces — most of his wealth. Kaelen also wants to sell a scroll at the Istari Bazaar.
The group walks along Embassy Row and through various markets in the shadow of the Royal Palace. Kamar says he’ll be in the College of Valor at the temple of Brijitt in the theater district.
Cleric of Light Nuriel also plans to visit the cathedral of Corellan at Temple Court. Eldamir, who is on the Path of the Berserker, buys two rope nets and a metal one.
Barret goes to South Square, where the Minotaur commissions light wooden armor for 20 crowns. Although he is a storm Sorcerer, Puliarus is curious about the Magisterium (magic school). Kamar offers to join him.
Eldamir buys a map of the city and says that the Library of Memir and the Rangers’ Gate might be additional sources of Atlantean lore and potential missions….
Remember to update your character records on Obsidian Portal to Level 3! I’ll post separately regarding trinkets and destinations in Hesolin.
I look forward to starting the higher-level D&D5e “Vanished Lands” telecom team, as well as to rejoining Jason’s “Star Wars: Dark Times” game. In the meantime, stay in touch.
Gene's Worlds 
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