Chapter II. Astraloftum
Session 12. Back Home
*January 24, 2024
We arrived at Astraloftum. We need a solar ship. We meet a red haired lady named Rina that has a red gemmed necklace and is from a place called ‘Ixtan’. The Solar Scions split up to get different things done back at their homes on Astraloftum. Finley goes to the Circle of Natu and finds out that the Great Natu Tree is dying, and that he will need the help of his friends to find more information on how to save the tree. Archdruid Elowen asks Finley what the Great Natu Tree told him and he responds in kind. Elowen advises Finley to not bring Silas into the Grove, for the Inquisition has deemed him dangerous to Astraloftum, and she will not be taking any chances, which means we must sneak Silas into the Grove somehow.
Whimsy goes home and Carter follows. Whimsy gets to her house in the Forgehearth District of Astraloftum and reunites her two boys: Omniscience and Charming. Whimsy has a little heartwarming tussle with her rascals and thanks her neighbor, an old human named Frank for taking care of them.
Carter goes to his family home where he finds out that his brother has become an inquisitor and his father, Moonwing Sr. is strapped for coins due to the winter harvest. Moonwing Sr. asks Carter for money, saying his brother has been stingy with his new sizable income due to him taking up drinking.
Diallos, Virtus, Silas, and Animus go to the orphanage and abbey. Diallos leaves to go find the abbot and in the meantime Virtus meets Silas’s adoptive mother, the Holy Mother Anastasia, who has her own Rubix cube that works as a kindle for prayers and holds the tale of heritage of Tieflings. She describes how the God Magi’s chaotic half fell in love with a good aligned Succubus and thus created the Tiefling race.
Diallos comes back after astral projecting in the mountains and then jumping off a cliff with the Abbot Muho in tow. He’s a lecher but agrees to train Animus and puts Diallos in charge of training Silas in order to exorcize his souls from his phylactery body.
Session 13. Big Boys’ Table
*February 07, 2024
Finley encounters a celestial dog named St. Chopin, who informs him about a relic robber on the loose and the existence of a secret scion space. Finley also learns that St. Ode’bbej was 4ft tall. Meanwhile, Virtus, Silas, and Diallos join Finley and discover moving blue berries in a bush, which Finley identifies as fey. Diallos experiences a strange chill and follows imperceptible footprints beneath the snow, suspecting a cursed fairy.
At the cathedral, they listen to a priest preaching about the oracles foreseeing the great Natu tree’s death and the need to keep faith. They meet the deaf artist and Marissa, who storms off in frustration over her art. Silas speaks with the priest about Magi’s dual souls but receives no clear answer. Finley expresses his dislike for the church passive-aggressively. Sister Korra informs them of a ritual in the crypt to restore the White Hands.
Exploring the crypt, Silas, Diallos, and Finley find a book on fighting maneuvers and a seraph, and a tomb that asks them to name an enemy. Virtus asks them to stay put during the ritual. Silas names his father as his enemy, gaining favored enemy status. While they rest and observe the ritual, Virtus notices Father Ora’Gem’s emerald cracking and Diallos offers a ruby, altering but continuing the ritual. Animus tells Carter about the scion hideout in the confessional.
In the confessional, Finley admits to causing a fellow acolyte to have stomach issues. Whimsy confesses to killing a man for wasting her time, feeling no remorse. The confessor suggests she may feel guilty about leaving her children for scion duties, to which Whimsy replies confidently that her children have both a mother and a Scion. Silas’s confessions are ignored due to conflicting testimonies from the souls within him. Virtus confesses about Davi disappearing on the floating island and her relief over his absence due to his blasphemous activities. The confessor takes note and promises to search for Davi. Notably, Virtus is warned before the trap door is pulled. Diallos confesses his doubts about the Solar Scion’s methods.
In the dark hall leading to the Hall of Scions, Finley faces the acolyte he poisoned and suffers a stomachache. Whimsy sees a chaotic scene with a dead body and her children pleading with her. Silas runs away from the Hall of Scions into darkness. Diallos encounters evil versions of Virtus and Finley, who accuse him of doubting the mission. He decides to run, crossing the red door to find Whimsy, Carter, and Silas already in the Hall of Scions. Diallos vaguely explains his vision to Carter, who compares his response to Two Tails’ similar reaction.
Virtus meets Davi, who challenges her due to his forbidden love for a Fomor. Davi proclaims “I’m sorry Virtus, but the next time we cross paths, you will die” to which Virtus grins and accepts his challenge. “You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to fight you. See you then.” He dissipates revealing the Red Door and she enters the Red Door. Diallos expresses concern over his own vision of “Scary Versions” of Virtus and Finley. Virtus shares her encounter with Davi and her anticipation for their future fight.
The Scions convene at a round table with familiar and new faces, including another Cometborn and Liara. Virtus reports on their mission, omitting personal details. She learns that the Tenebris estate is being sold, with an irresistible offer made to Zariel by the Solar Scions. The council denies the Natu Tree’s impending death and advises the group to keep their beliefs to themselves.
Mini Scion 1. Tenebris Estate
Vincent is fucking MY MOM
Diallos and Virtus return to the Tenebris Estate to pack some of Virtus’s belongings and set aside items to sell in order to fund their Airship. They are greeted by their childhood friend Pinot, who now works as the groundskeeper. While tending to the shrubbery, Pinot mentions he’s been searching for a pesky arctic fox, and they agree to help him.
They find the shrine of Tekk in disrepair, clear the overgrown plants, and pray there. Virtus offers a piece of candy from their pre-mission on Aluminux, which petrifies into stone, while Diallos transfers Tekk’s blessing from one weapon to his bow. The fox appears, angry because its babies have nested in the shrine. During the search, they discover a chisel under the overgrowth.
Inside the Estate, they are welcomed by Virtus’s mother, Zariel, who invites them to dinner. Virtus is upset about learning of the estate’s sale indirectly. In Virtus’s room, they discuss their next steps and their recent trials before the Hall of Scions. Zariel enters, and Virtus confronts her about the estate sale. Zariel confirms the sale and mentions they will have a guest, Vincent, an old friend of Virtus’s father who is helping with the sale.
Later, Virtus and Diallos meet Vincent, who reveals he is dating Zariel. Virtus is shocked and upset at learning family news from a third party. Diallos comforts her, and they all gather for dinner. During the meal, Zariel remarks on Animus’s absence, and Virtus explains his team is frozen in strange chronurgy magic. Tensions rise as Zariel serves Hell’s Chicken, a spicy dish from Virtus’ father’s recipe. Virtus expresses a desire to go through her father’s things before the estate is sold. Zariel agrees, but only if Vincent permits, which he does, proposing a deal to Virtus.
Vincent, seemingly gauging if Virtus’s father might return, asks Diallos about finding paradise. Diallos confidently asserts they will. Zariel, uncomfortable, urges them to stop the paradise talk, but Vincent persists. He offers Virtus a prototype Air Ship with a Rubix engine in exchange for accepting his relationship with her mother. Despite her pride, Virtus accepts the ship for her team’s sake.
Session 14. Curse of Loyalty
*February 21, 2024
The session begins in St. Ode’bbej Cathedral getting battered by an intense and sudden blizzard. Silas, Whimsy, Finley, and Carter step out of the cathedral to investigate and stumble upon a frozen corpse of a woman that has crystallized and reanimated into a Chill Haunt, an unholy fey product of undead.
Diallos and Virtus trudge through the freezing Astraloftum snowstorm and get to St. Ode’bbej Square, there they see Brother Xeno frozen by the blizzard and having their body warmth stolen by a vile fairy known as a Warmth Thief. Thus a battle ensues on two fronts…
Finley and Virtus spare the Warmth Thief, named ‘Gorgo’, after it reveals that it knows Finley and begs for its life. Finley’s conversation with the fairy triggers his memories and he recalls his infancy in an elven crib, where he watched the innocent pixie Gorgo play with their companions, until Gorgo’s fairy body was cursed and corrupted by the Spring Queen, the Monarchon in retaliation for their attempted insurrection. Gorgo then offers up his pure fairy heart to Finley as amends for his transgressions. Finley accepts Gorgo’s crystal heart. St. Chopin thanks the Solar Scions for finding the Thief and protecting the Tomb of St. Ode’bbej and awards them with a dog ball.
The party head back to the Cathedral with the frozen Xeno and the church nurses him back to health. They all have an evening feast to weather out the storm, Silas shares the company of two inquisitor brothers, Whimsy impresses everyone with her skillful culinary delights, Diallos receives a vision of an Astraloftum frozen in time and a cancer plaguing the Great Natu Tree.
Finley begins to process the memories of his past, culminating in a traumatic revelation of his childhood from Whimsy’s Natu-infused cooking… Finley’s Father and the rest of the Orchid Court, a noble birthright, was taken away from Finley. His family was brutally murdered by the Spring Court: the Monarchon and her legion of Mantis Knights.
Finley wild shapes into a somber wolf and disappears into the cold and lonely snowstorm while his friends turn in for the night…
Session 15. Familiar Discussions
*February 28, 2024
The Scions wake up at the Hall of Scions after a much needed rest. They discuss their objectives for the next coming days in anticipation of the Full Moon Symphony of Ascension when they have to sneak into the Grove and find out what’s wrong with the Great Natu Tree. Finley returns to the Scions early in the morning after having a discussion with the Archdruid. Carter returns to the Scions as well after sleeping over at his family home for the night.
Silas is given vials of his friends’ blood for safekeeping and to track where they go in case they get lost. Animus and Virtus discuss Vincent’s dealings with their mother and how Vincent used to be friends with their father before he disappeared.
Animus laments that the ritual to restore the White Hand from their stasis had failed and that the time magic was much too powerful. Animus tells the party he will seek out an esteemed wizard to learn about how to dispel the time stasis inflicted on his friends.
Session 16. Demonic Infiltration
*March 2, 2024
The Scions venture into the St. Ode’bbej Crypts to find some alcohol in attempts to satiate Silas and cure his blindness. Silas manages to cast a spell to unlock the crypt of the Solari General Mag’Tur, and the Scions stumble upon a gruesome sight.
A pool of blood swamped inside the coffin of the entombed general churns violently and a massive Demon inflicts a grave wound on Virtus as its grotesque body begins to structure itself. The Demon utilized trapped souls within itself as its arcane focus and soon shows the Scions that is a formidable foe, they however are powerful in their own rights are able to smite it into oblivion, saving Astraloftum from a most dire situation in complete secrecy.
The Scions discover that the interloper was a Fomorian: Finley’s shadow doppelganger, unleashed the demon into the Solari General’s tomb utilizing a small mirror that was snuck into the tomb by some other person, a worrisome thought and proof that there is a traitor within the Church.
Session 17. New Year Festival
*March 6, 2024
The New Year Astraloftum Festival takes place. Diallos participates in a game of skill and acrobatics throwing hoops around bottles, the Scions donate money to the Solari Orphanage, Finley & Carter meet an eccentric glassworker, Carter and Luminaria talk about the future, Animus and Virtus converse about Vincent’s intentions, Finley kisses Diallos and runs away in embarrassment, Silas opens up to his adoptive mother about his insecurities, and the last night of the year 311 ends with a fireworks show as well as everyone putting up their wishes on the Wishing Tree in front of the Cathedral.
Session 18. A Cat’s Tongue
*March 20, 2024
A New Year begins: Year 311: the Year of the Comet. The Scions set out to hunt down an alleged Demon Cat cult that has been disturbing residents in the Forgehearth district. They fight elusive Fomorian creatures known as ‘Displacer Beasts’ and then discover an abandoned warehouse.
Session 19. The Forgotten Chamber
*April 3, 2024
The Scions enter an abandoned warehouse in the Forgehearth District and discover that a smuggling group is transporting rare and dangerous creatures through the Mirror Realm into Astraloftum. The Scions then continue searching and find a forgotten chamber below the warehouse that contained cryptic lore about the Trinity and the origins of Astraloftum. They also find a locked golden door that requires 3 emblems to open. They recall that one of the emblems is in the possession of the Archdruid of Astraloftum.
The smuggling group, a trio of bipedal animal humanoids led by a Tabaxi known as ‘Casanova’ return to their hidden hideout and reveal they have been looking for a fabled treasure known as ‘the Ark’. The Scions intimidate them and the smuggling group run away, but not before taking a couple of rare creatures with them as well. The Scions study the murals of the Trinity within the Chamber and this time, Silas receives a vision of his body surrounded by living branches during a Lunar Eclipse whilst Carter establishes the fact that the Tome of Time once belonged to Magi.
With the Beast Smuggler known as ‘Casanova’ turning tail, the hunt remains at large, and with only a couple of days remaining until the Full Moon, the Scions must prepare to enter the Great Natu Tree Shrine during the Symphony of Ascension soon.
Session 20. Soul Mates
*May 8, 2024
While Casanova and his smuggling gang are escaping, they are stopped by two inquisition guards, who Virtus shoos away. Diallos discovers that Casanova has a cursed sword that is corrupting him into a ‘fiend-like’ state. The Scions release Casanova’s gang on the condition that they teach the Scions how to navigate the Mirror Realm, secure ‘black-market goods’ for them, and cease their smuggling business.
Casanova reveals that the Mirror Realm exists alongside the Material Realm and that passage between them is made possible by utilizing the Brand of Nirvana, which both Casanova and Silas possess. They depart back into the Mirror Realm after giving the party a small cat bell to summon him if they require his services. Diallos receives a vision of Dark Silas running away from Dark Finley and Dark Diallos. Shortly after, a child approaches Diallos with a letter written in blood, requesting that the Scions meet someone at an abandoned market in Forgehearth.
The Scions enter the abandoned market and encounter Dark Silas, who reveals that he is being hunted by his dark kin and wishes to re-enter Silas’ body. Silas integrates Dark Silas back into his soul, restoring his eyes. Afterward, the Scions go shopping for new equipment around the Forgehearth District.
Session 21. The Crystal Sings
*May 29, 2024
The Scions spend their evening at the Skysmith Works, operated by the renowned dwarven blacksmith Hemdall Skysmith II. The party barters for Hemdall’s fine weapons and shields. Virtus, the diligent, cleans the workshop for a party-wide discount and discovers rare minerals behind a display case, drawing Diallos’ keen eye to the ‘Cometmetal’. Diallos requests a closer look at the metal, and Whimsical, the curious, learns about a precious material called ‘Morphogem’ that can be used to craft a new weapon for her. Silas, the steadfast, requests a Belt of Strength but is informed by Hemdall that an old gnome in the grove, who specializes in leatherwork and woodcrafting, might have one.
The Cometmetal, passed down from Hemdall’s grandfather, is said to be a shard from the Comet of Eden 100 years ago. Hemdall hopes to obtain more this year, as it is the year of the Comet. Diallos, the insightful, attunes to the metal and remembers his birth: a shard broke off a meteorite and landed on a fluffy cloud, becoming a glowing egg that was later found and nursed by adventurers. Diallos, who hatched from the egg, thanks Hemdall for the chance to see his past. Hemdall invites him to return anytime.
Meanwhile, Whimsical’s adventurous children, Omniscient and Charming, follow their mother to the blacksmith shop to play a prank but are discovered by Finley, the vigilant, and Silas. Charming challenges Silas, who refuses, and instead asks if the children know of any cave entrances nearby. Charming, the clever, offers to guide them to their hideout in exchange for his dagger. Silas agrees and hands over the dagger. As they travel to the hideout, Whimsical praises her two kids for their negotiation skills and resourcefulness.
The Scions reach ‘the Whimsy Hideout’ on the eastern coast of Astraloftum. Behind the hideout, they find a collapsed entrance to the Crystal Caverns below the city and venture inside to find Morphogems. In the caverns, they encounter Gravity Wells, old mining equipment, disabled automatons, and hostile Angoloutls (frog people). After a battle, Diallos, the merciful, spares some of the frogs. The party meets Orgu, a frog who respects their strength and communicates with them through Finley’s ‘Speak with Animals’. Orgu warns them of a ‘large blob’ that possesses the Morphogems and is very dangerous.
Guided by Orgu, the party ventures deeper into the crystal caves and finds a pristine crystal lake with a Singing Cavern Siren. Silas, the brave, is almost entranced and dubbed ‘Fomorian King’ by the Siren, who attempts to bite his neck but is rescued by Finley’s whip. The Siren retreats deeper into the cave.
Taking an alternate path, the party enters a glowing mushroom cave. Finley notes the bioluminescent mushrooms are ancient and close to achieving sentience, warning against disturbing them. As Finley approaches a small chest, he is attacked by a Mimic. After a battle, the Mimic releases trapped Angoloutls and tries to escape but is dispatched by Virtus, the mighty, with her war-pick. The party then prepares to face the ‘large blob’ and obtain the Morphogems deeper in the caverns.
Session 22. The Crystal Shatters
*June 6, 2024
The Scions solve a mysterious Crystal Melody puzzle using their musical instruments and their wonderful voices. They bypass the door that impedes them into the inner crystal sanctum and after some preparations they enter to face a very dangerous and massive Gem Slime. There are some Angoloutls (frog people) imprisoned within some of the crystals and the vicious Siren they had previously encountered, named Aquamarina, appears, clearly distressed by the Scions’ ruining her connection to the large Gem Slime. She causes the Gem Slime to shatter into dangerous shards that fly towards the Scions’ and inflicts grievous wounds to the holy warriors, thus they begin combat.
The Siren seems to be planning something during the fight, but she is quickly apprehended by a raging Whimsical whose size meets no match: she grapples the Siren effortlessly in her massive hands and ensures she cannot escape. The Siren’s entrancing melody disrupts Whimsical’s mind however and she briefly allies herself with the enemy, however, it is short-lived as Virtus’ battle-cries rallies Whimsical back to reality. The Siren attempts to thwart Silas’ mind next with her singing, but Silas Counterspells her magic. Finley finally unleashes a swathe of Spirit Guardians that disintegrates the Siren into fresh dirt.
But the battle is far from over, the Scions widdle down the Gem Slime but their fate starts looking grim as Diallos obtains a Vision of his fallen friends: the Scions make a risky gamble and advise Silas in one last hurrah to cast a powerful Shatter spell towards the Gem Slime, risking their own destruction with the spell, which if it fails, would trigger the Gem Slime’s explosive crystal abilities. The fates align with the Scions and Silas triumphantly annihilates the Gem Slime with his final ability, shattering the husk around the crystal slime and destroying it from the inside-out.
The Scions defeat the Gem Slime & the Siren and free the trapped Angoloutls from their crystallized states. The frog-folk declare them their saviors and gods and offer their fellowship to the Scions. Whimsical returns to her children at the entrance of the crystal caves and delivers a disabled mining-automaton to her son Charming so that he can master his swordsmanship on the fodder. The automaton is activated by Carter’s time magic and is swiftly cut down by Charming. Omniscient assists Charming with the clean-up of the automaton’s remains and both brothers learn to trust in each other a little more.
The now-awakened Myconids by Finley follow him out of the caverns and Finley promises to find a safe-haven for them at the Grove. The Scions return to the blacksmith Hemdall with the Morphogems and Whimsical receives her reforged weapon, the “Knock-Ya Pan,” now even more potent and ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Mini Scion 2. Family Ties
*June 12, 2024
Concurrently pursuing their individual goals**,** the Scions delve deeper into their mysteries. Carter, with the aid of Sir Bravefur, delves further into the secrets of the Tome of Time. While Sir Bravefur expresses concern for Animus and lends Carter some money, Carter’s true nature surfaces as he manipulates time to his advantage, altering the loan terms.
Silas, ever the protector, returns to the orphanage. There, he offers comfort and guidance to Holy Mother Anastasia, who is troubled by dark dreams and anxieties about the children’s safety during the coming Eclipse. The Holy Mother reassures him and suggests Finley’s help in strengthening his bond with the goddess Natu. The conversation also prompts Silas to reflect on his own past, remembering his rescue from the Cult of Nirvana as a child.
Meanwhile, Finley returns to the Grove, where he reconnects with his friend Bramble. Overheard snippets of conversation reveal a budding (and perhaps unrequited) affection for Finley from Lyra. Finley, however, seems oblivious. His focus shifts when he meets with the Archdruid. Concerned about the Great Natu Tree’s declining health, the Archdruid entrusts Finley with a critical mission: to investigate the source of the tree’s ailment during the Eclipse. The urgency is underscored by the potential danger the illness poses, prompting the Archdruid to consider closing down the Grove if necessary. Finley’s staff repairs are also placed on hold due to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the tree. As Finley leaves, he overhears the Archdruid speaking to an unknown person.
Late-night revelry takes a theatrical turn at the Whimsical household. Whimsical, her mischievous children Omniscient and Charming, along with their neighbor Frank, transform their living room into a stage for a quirky late-night performance. Whimsical dons the role of narrator, weaving a tale of forbidden love titled “A Tale of Two Lovers.” Frank steps into the spotlight, embodying the stern Gods Magi and Tekk, who disapprove of their sister, the Goddess Natu (played with youthful defiance by Charming), meeting with another woman, the mortal Noctu (brought to life by Omniscient).
The play unfolds with dramatic flair. Natu, yearning for love, defies her brothers’ edict. She disguises herself as a tree to meet Noctu near her village, where a one-sided conversation unfolds. Noctu, burdened by the fear of being labeled a witch by her villagers, expresses her love for Natu but hesitates to pursue a relationship that could bring them both harm. Natu, desperate to bridge the gap between them, offers Noctu a path to divinity. Blinded by love, Noctu accepts, transforming into the Moon itself.
However, the story takes a tragic turn. Enraged by their sister’s betrayal, Magi and Tekk curse the lovers. They bind Natu and Noctu to an eternal dance, allowing them to meet only during Lunar Eclipses. Their once forbidden love is reduced to a bittersweet reunion every 40 years, a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of celestial wrath. The makeshift play ends with a flourish, Whimsical’s children with a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of the celestial dance.
Session 23. Project A.R.K
*June 19, 2024
Diallos & Silas at the Orphanage. Diallos returns to the Orphanage to meditate but finds Abbot Muho and Inquisitor Simon Moonwing there instead. Simon warns Diallos to stay indoors for the night, as someone resembling him is roaming the city. Abbot Muho leaves to investigate this mysterious look-alike.
The morning after, Silas attempts to sneak out of the Orphanage undetected but is finally caught by Inquisitor Simon Moonwing. Simon declares that Silas is being detained, but Holy Mother Anastasia intervenes, slapping the Inquisitor and protecting her son from the Inquisition. She exclaims, “Silas Clemmons outranks you in every way, Inquisitor. He was selected by the Trinity themselves to be their Holy Warrior: you have no jurisdiction over his divine right to exist.” Furious, Simon Moonwing returns to the Tower of Inquisition, promising, “I will be back for you, Silas Clemmons, once and for all.”
Virtus’ Late Night Encounter. Virtus roams the streets of Astraloftum late at night and meets a drunk halfling shipwright named Bigby, who attempts to steal from her. After scolding him, Virtus and Bigby share a drink at a pub called Purgatory in the Forgehearth District. Bigby confesses that his shipwright skills are outdated and that most shipwrights now work for the Church or Tekkhead Labs. Virtus consoles him and gives him some money, and they drink together until dawn.
Project A.R.K. The next day, the party gathers and heads to Tekkhead Labs to meet with Vincent. Vincent enforces a contract requiring a three-person skeleton crew to accompany the Scions on their adventures aboard Project A.R.K before transferring ownership of the airship to the Solar Scions. After much deliberation, the party agrees and signs the contract, albeit begrudgingly.
Shopping and New Information. The party goes shopping for magical items and potions. They learn that the Casanova smugglers were killed by something in the Mirror Realm. They also discover a potion shop called ‘The Rainbow Alchemist,’ which specializes in crafting unique potions. With their preparations complete, the party is ready to tackle the Great Natu Tree disease.