Arc 1: Campus Kerfuffle

ARC SUBPLOT: STUDENTS OF GREAT ESTEEM

Rio Saoirse, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Dorian Lisette, Strigas Zavebeck, Echo

It's a fact of life that the situation of every student is different, and there are some loftier stakes hefted upon some students than others. There may be more harsher consequences levied upon these students for misdeeds, a troubling thought that seems to haunt them wherever they go as freer students seem to be able to get away with far more. Everyone was able to mostly get through the year without getting into too much trouble, but the combination of the Tavern Incident and the Dapplewing's Manor incident has thrust Rio into the spotlight, resulting in Lucy de Compasso's arrival at the school.

ORIENTATION CHALLENGE

Rio Saoirse, Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth, Dorian Lisette, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Ambiance Faira, Blova Holyspell, 
Elian Benemagica, Jalivia de Vaironne, Bellow d'Avalon, Astrid Berge, Eris Kalastrope, Strigas Zavebeck, Cassi Sonyore

Though played separately, all three groups were each part of a separate team during the Scavenger Hunt, trying to solve a list of five clues and claim the rewards therewithin, giving them a fun and effective tour of the Biblioplex. The first clue took them to the Snarl in the center of the Hall of Oracles, where if they stepped inside, they would receive a Potion of Healing from whatever cosmic being lies within. The second clue took them to the Student Art Gallery, where a painting of Prismari Alumni housed Deroulex Penants of the six Deroulex colleges. The third clue took them to the Biblioplex Cafe, where students who were adept enough at stocking bottles of creamer could receive Bottles of Boundless Coffee for their efforts. The fourth clue took them to the various Animated Shrubs around the Biblioplex, which, when pet, revealed Cuddly Deroulex Mascots that they could keep. The final clue took them to the Stage Setup behind the Snarl, which, when a performance was done, summoned hooded lanterns and oil within the spotlights. However, the mood of the Scavenger Hunt quickly turned sour when screams began to erupt from the Biblioplex, as people ran in a panic from three Costume Trunks from the Rose Stage suddenly grew teeth and began to attack the students. Many of the students sustained injuries, some even dying, but with help from the medical staff and the students who stepped up to fight the mimic-chests, there were no permanent damages. After the incident, many of the students regrouped outside of the Biblioplex in order to get their facts straight and to check up on people who they care about.

FROG'S THE WORD

Ambiance Faira, Onyx Spark, Leofaun, Leonard Valebright, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr

On All Hallow's Eve, the party noticed Aurora, Greta, Rampart, Zanther, and Quentillius (referred to as the Frog Racers) creeping into the Firejolt Cafe, giggling amongst themselves, and decided to follow to make sure they weren't up to no good. What they found, instead, was that the Frog Racers had stolen 10 Frog Familiars with Melwythorne's help, dressed them up in little costumes provided by Grayson, and were racing them in the hallway in the back of Firejolt Cafe. The race was intense, but in the end, the victor was...Inflatable Dino Suit Frog! Grimmwood won 30 gold and Bragging Rights for the next month. The party then had some free time. However, the Hallow Festivities were quickly dashed when the final four frogs began to...gag. Quickly, their eyes glowed a demonic red, and they grew in size, appearing to puke up fruit punch and grow into slaadi-frogs. With most of the cafe out of commission due to alcohol-related choices, the party was forced to take them on. They decided to split their focus against the frogs, which led to many of the party sustaining pretty heavy injuries, as two of the frogs tag-team Grimmwood and a third swallows up Echo. Leofaun proves to be quite an adept commander, taking out a frog with Callindro's help, which frees Echo and allows them to Thunderwave another frog to death. Grimmwood was able to make short work of the third soon after, and Leonard took great pleasure out of taking down the fourth. Afterwards, the party had some time to investigate, granting them some further clues into their investigation.

KICKSTARTER

Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth, Bellow d'Avalon, Tyran Harlow, Astrid Berge, Rio Saoirse, Axolotl Orvon

The party finds groups of students hanging out in the Archway Commons, seemingly confused, as their possessions have been snatched up by something leaving behind a trace of orange jelly. Most troubling of these groups is Grayson and Urzmatok, who are trying to open a potion shop for students, but have lost all their supplies. Astrid recruits Melwythorne, and Rio and Lardriira'xyra recruit Cadoras, who, with Bellow, Axolotl, Tyran, Grayson, and Urzmatok, begin to follow the slime trail at Bellow's impulsive request. The party gets a little bit stumped when the trail seemingly disappears into the swamp of Witherbloom College. By regrouping and sharing what they know, Lardriira'xyra and Cadoras are able to conclude that it's an Amber Ooze, and with Bellow's insight into monsters, they realize that the Amber Ooze is stealing inanimate objects and nesting in Widdershins Hall. They chase it into a classroom, where Tyran is jumped and engulfed by the ooze catching him off guard. The party manages to fight it off, and recovers the objects, returning them to the students. Urzmatok and Grayson give everyone present a discount to the potions shop, and the party did some investigating before returning back to their normal lives.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER

Jalivia de Vaironne, Blova Holyspell, Astrid Berge, Bellow d'Avalon, Rio Saoirse, Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth

The party was invited to the Bow's End Tavern in order to partake in an old Deroulex Tradition, where the older students challenge the younger students to a game of Wizard Gizzard, this time with stakes - the winner receives Javenesh's coin purse (which raised some...ethical concerns, which were ultimately settled.) Drazhomir took home the grand prize, where it was revealed that he was supposed to let the new students win, and the prize was passed to Rio. The group then settled in for a night of merriment, which was swiftly interrupted by Chef Curtie bursting out of the kitchen, choking on clouds of steam that seemed to be...suffocating her. The party quickly dove into action and dispatched the Steam Mephits, where the party was given time to investigate the kitchen and discovered that in the morning, before the tavern opened, someone broke in and slathered the pots with the oil, which was revealed to be the base for an Animating Brew. The party had some...devious experimentation ideas, summoning another Steam Mephit and Twig Blight with the oil before swiftly killing them. Everyone except Astrid went to Urzmatok to interrogate him, leaving Astrid with the oil, which they dropped into the burner of the stove and set it ablaze, instantly summoning a fire elemental that ravaged the Bow's End Tavern. The party was able to take it down, but many people were injured, some people died, and the Tavern is closed down until further notice for repairs.

THE OLD GUARD ANEW

Blova Holyspell, Rio Saoirse, Astrid Berge, Ambiance Faira, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth

The party was invited by Rampart to the Lorehold Dean Office, where the Dragonsguard Historical Society operates, under the cover of exhibiting the new catalog of items that Dean Tullus brought back, in order to further interrogate Dean Tullus after hearing suspicions of her from the fellow investigators. He did a good job of playing his part as a sort-of "tour guide," but in classic foreshadowing fashion, said that mimics sometimes sneak their way in and pretend to be relics. Grimmwood, Astrid, and Rio attempted to glean information from Dean Tullus, only getting that she had looked after a Orb of Dragonkind that she had found while investigating the war remains detailed in "The Court of Bloom and Blade." They realized that they had walked into a sort-of "trap," realizing that Dean Tullus was INFESTED with the necrotic energy from the Animating Oil, and quickly tried to regroup with the rest of the party. Meanwhile, Blova, Lardriira'xyra, and Ambiance investigated relics with Rampart, trying to distract the professors and find a quiet place to talk. The party later regrouped in one of the study rooms and tried to figure out a plan, deciding that Lardriira'xyra would try and cast Detect Magic to see if she was still affected by Detect Magic. However, Dean Tullus took note of this, and affected Lardriira'xyra with a Curse of Reprisal. The party tried to regroup and not fall victim to the trap, but at that time, two of the relics animated into Animated Relic-Armor, and attacked the Dean's Building. No one was seriously hurt, but the lack of evidence gathered leaves the party and Dean Tullus at a standstill, where they know that the other are up to something, but with no way to act on it.

ARMS EMBARGO

Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Astrid Berge, Jalivia de Vaironne, Echo

The Wuzzfeddlims guild won’t give into the Damellawar guild’s demands for equitable trade, saying that they will only share their crafting gear if bested in combat! Both Cadoras and Rosie call upon the party to join their side in the fight, as history (and the fate of the two shops) hangs in the hands of the winner! With everyone's help, the campaign was able to come to a SMASHING close! Rosie thanked everyone who played, and finally opened up the Wuzzfeddlims Guild for everyone to enjoy!

CAMPUS DAREDEVILS

Rio Saoirse, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Dorian Lisette, Cormack Seboxan, Echo, Karsana

Due to the party's reputation as both heroes and destructive forces of nature, Quentillius extended a special invitation to the six party members, with a special request for them - to become Campus Legends by sneaking into Captain Dapplewing's manor and stealing a prized doll called Sassy Sally Jane. The party enlisted the help of Quentillius and Aurora to venture through the mansion, and moving silently through the house, they encountered some of Dapplewing's old friends and assistants through the house - animated coat racks, an Earl to guide guests through the house, and some of his favorite plants on display on the back deck. Eventually, after taking scrape after scrape, they find their way to the attic, where Sassy Sally Jane is waiting...as well as an old dress, stored up in the attic for being dangerous, which attacks. It's quite a fight, but the party is able to take it down, when suddenly...everything goes black. When the party next wakes up...Captain Dapplewing stands in front of them. He explains the nature of the situation, how he, even if he is no longer the headmaster, will be watching over them, as it is his job as the headmaster of the school. Most importantly, though, he shares that the most important thing they can all do is work together. After all, Deroulex is a place for all people, magic or no magic, and he entrusts his will to the students to save the school.

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE

Blova Holyspell, Elian Benemagica, Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth, Karsana, Astrid Berge, Ambiance Faira

Lights come up with dramatic action on our party, who finds themselves at the fabled Rose Stage Festival, a grand celebration for Silverquill and Prismari students to network with other teachers and students, as well as the famed Rose Stage Play, a short scene that is ENTIRELY improvised! Curiosity getting the better of them, Karsana, Astrid, and Ambiance decide to perform in the show, while Blova, Elian, and Lardriira'xyra encourage them from the audience, and quite the show they give, taking down Quentillius as a massive sea serpent with their randomized roles! As they take their final bows, the audience erupts in cheers and laughter, before, gasp! A twist! The owlbear cutout prop that was used in the show is coming to life! Our heroes work hard to take it down, and though they sustain some heavy injuries, no deaths occur at the Rose Stage, as Astrid tears into it and claims their trophy. Professor Lang, a showgoer, congratulates all of them on their performance, giving special emphasis to Karsana, who she gives her cloak to. Lastly, she makes a request of the party, either they (or friends) can have strings pulled for a day to get out of class and search Sedgemoor for ingredients to aid in her Dryad ritual. With anticipation hanging in the air, and another incident from the mysterious perpetrator under their belt, the party continues on...

LIKE FIRE AND WATER

Rio Saoirse, Cormack Seboxan, Echo, Grimmwood drifting by Jormungandr, Lardriira'xyra Nallisoth, Astrid Berge

Zanther and Larine, somehow roommates despite their differences, are at each other's throats, since Zanther wants advice for a gift to give "a lovely young lady" and Larine "refuses to help a dork with his romantic life." The two can't seem to find common ground, and the party is asked to help officiate the debate. With everyone's help, though Zanther and Larine are far from friends, they were able to stop fighting each other. Though not much good came from it, the party is definitely bettered for having to undo such a conflict.

SECRETS IN SEDGEMOOR

Axolotl Orvon, Bellow d'Avalon, Echo, Xi Bloodwood, Cormack Seboxan, Jalivia de Vaironne

The year finally culminates the night of graduation, where Professor Lang has requested the party to venture into Sedgemoor Swamp and retrieve spell supplies for the Summer Festal, which will be performed right as graduation ends. Since the party has also been dying to put a stop to the Bleeding's work and purify the swamp after Aurora was attacked, they set out to end the wicked events that have been happening over the course of this year. As they venture deep into the bayou, they must contend with traps set for them, including but not limited to, quicksand that threatens to swallow up Echo, two worgs that crave dark magic that attack Bellow, and a swarm of poisonous spaghetti-snakes that threatens to kill Cormack. Nevertheless, they find a cave at the back of the swamp that looks...concerning to say the least, with a swipe pattern of blood observed by Bellow leading deeper inside. When she goes to investigate, an Accordiscorpion guarding the cave. The battle was touch-and-go, but they were able to take it down and investigate the cave within, where they find a mysterious journal detailing everything that has happened over the year. Even worse...all signs point to the death of Professor Le Donto. The party has managed to stop one head, but something big is brewing, and who knows what's coming next...