Last night we started a new story arc in Blue Rose (side note: I wish I had a way to ask people who have run this game about it, because I'd like to know how quickly characters typically advance and at what point they get badass enough that it becomes a challenge for the GM, but I suppose I'll just have to wing it).
Anydangway, last session here.
The characters return Dartis to Servat so he can start convalescing (and getting rid of his Corruption). Then they consider their options. They need to bring the mask to the Royal Archive in Aldis, but that's about 500 miles away. That's a hell of a long walk. Plus, they're carrying a corrupted artifact with them, one that they already know is going to urge them to use it (and Whirlpool is dealing with a bit of Corruption to begin with, so he needs to be extra careful).
They get a bag of flour from Servat (Dartis and Talaith are only too happy to oblige) and put the mask in that. That way, they figure, if someone does succumb to temptation and try to wear the damn thing, it'll take a minute and maybe they can stop them. They decide that Arlen, Dobbin, and Kisha will take turns carrying it.
And then they hit on an idea for travel: What about a boat? The Rose River runs straight through the Pavin Weald and then through the Central Valleys to Aldis, and while it wouldn't be a lot quicker than walking, they could avoid physically carrying the mask, and maybe travel at night if it's clear. They spend a couple of days near Servat (to make use of tools). Arlen and Kisha design the boat, everyone pitches in to build it, and they carry it to the river and launch.
The first couple of days of the journey are uneventful. The mask sits undisturbed in its floury (not flowery) tomb, Whirlpool swims alongside the boat for much of the travel, and Arlen sketches the surrounding landscape. About the only thing of note that they see is that sometimes, they catch people watching them from the forest. Kisha waves at them at one point, and they wave back, so the characters perceive no threat. Just...people who live in the forest, and that's fine.
They stop for the night one evening, and Whirlpool brings them some (probably very surprised) fish to eat, and then forages into the nearby woods. He brings back tubers, berries, herbs, and some interesting roots that, when the bark is peeled away, are white and creamy and slightly sweet. They eat dinner and decide that they can camp here for the night - they aren't going to break out of the Weald for another day or so and they don't know what the river is like up ahead.
At first light, Arlen wakes to find several people in their camp, looking at them curiously. Most are human, but a couple are vata. He gets up and converses with them, and discovers that they saw the characters camping and got curious - they don't see a lot of travelers. They're especially interested in Whirlpool, since they've never seen a sea-folk before. The one that Arlen was chatting with, who introduces himself as Jael, invites them back to their village. They moor their boat, Dobbin takes up the flour-sack, and Whirlpool leaves his trident on the boat, not wishing to send the message that he's here to fight.
The walk back to the village takes a little longer than the characters would have liked, but they don't want to be rude. They arrive in a village made of wood huts arranged in a spiral around a central tree. Arlen asks after the significance, and is introduce to Vebran, the priestess and leader of the village.
Dobbin and Kisha know a little about the forest-folk of the Weald; they live in insular, though not necessarily unfriendly, villages in the forest, and maintain strong relations with the rhy-wolves and other animals. Kisha knows that a lot of them are descended from Kernish refugees escaping the Lich-King, led here by a heroic woman named Fallia, who supposedly received visions or messages from Felisar, god of travelers. Arlen, himself someone who's received divine visions, is intrigued. He goes up to the central and tree and touches it gently and reverently, and Whirlpool, a bit confused, walks up and pets it. (The villagers seem to find this appropriate from Arlen and kind of quaint from Whirlpool.)
The group of them talk with Vebran. She tell them that the village is called Fallia's Hand, and that they worship Fallia (and Felisar, in an indirect kind of way). She says that the central tree is a reference for the village so the people can find it if lost, and a kind of spiritual grounding for the village. She asks them a little about their background and travels, and Kisha asks if anyone in the village has any connection to their roots. Vebran tells him that some of the older folks still speak Kernish, but they don't really use it in the village and it's dying out.
She invites them to stat tonight for a celebration and blessing from Felisar, and they all respond warmly, but Kisha notes that while they mean the village no harm, they carry something with them that isn't so friendly. Vebran's demeanor cools considerably and she reaches out with Second Sight (probably to try and see if they're, y'know, carrying a powerful corrupt relic), but Arlen uses Psychic Shield to block it. Vebran tells them they're welcome to wander about the village today; Dobbin mentions trading with the locals and Vebran thinks that's a fine idea.
Whirlpool, in particular, asks about the roots they found. Vebran says that they're called "moon root," and they're fairly common around here and used as a sweetener in foods. Whirlpool talks with Jael and trades some fish (which the villagers can get, but like, it's already here, so that's nice) for a sack of mushrooms. Jael tells him that, mixed into stew, they created a meat-like flavor and are quite filling, but you can't eat them fresh, or they'll make you sick.
Arlen talks to one of the vata from the village and learns a little more about the celebration tonight. Apparently it's uncommon for something like that to go past sundown, so Vebran must think this is important. Arlen says that he understands what it's like to have the notice of the gods, but the vata tells him there's another factor - Those Below.
"Who are 'Those Below'?" asks Arlen.
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