Session Overview
The party met the Bishop Azedarac of Ximes instead of investigating Jehan, learning that the town lives in fear of the powerful religious leader. After securing an audience for tomorrow at 11am, they spent the afternoon gathering information and discovering that Jehan is the Bishop’s right-hand man. Grok used detect thoughts on the innkeeper, revealing the townspeople’s fear of Jehan and the Bishop’s control. The party discussed various elaborate plans to obtain the potion of time travel, including disguise infiltration and love potions, while deciding to wait for Selnove’s return before the Bishop meeting.
Thal’s Journal Entry
Written in precise handwriting, with margin doodles showing the party huddled in conversation while worried townspeople peek from behind curtains, the Bishop’s temple towering in the background with an impossibly large shadow cast across the town
Another day in this blasted town where even speaking names causes people to turn pale. This Bishop Azedarac’s got quite the grip on everyone - managed to secure an audience tomorrow with him after playing the “we’re journalists and our cleric needs enlightenment” angle. Guards gave us the appointment treatment - sent a runner and made us wait an hour before agreeing to eleven tomorrow.
My suggestion to knock out the Bishop and have Hawthorne replace him for a public embarrassment seems ambitious but doable. Between the love potions from our last shopping trip, the plan shapes up nicely. Though watching Hawthorne discuss the Bishop’s “sexual orientation” to determine the best approach for seduction was… enlightening.
The real discovery came when Grok probed the innkeeper’s mind and learned Jehan’s the Bishop’s enforcer. No wonder nobody wants to talk about either of them. Hawthorne tried playing the lost brother card, got nowhere, but Grok’s magic revealed the truth - Jehan’s the one sent out to “take care of business” while the Bishop stays in his tower. Fear runs so deep they don’t even want to know anyone’s asking about these men.
Crew Assessment:
- Combat Capability: Untested in current situation, though planning shows strategic thinking
- Reliability Factor: Improved coordination in planning, though Hawthorne’s boldness remains concerning
- Spiritual State: Grok showing clever use of abilities, rest adapting to oppressive regime
- Sea-Worthiness: Would need serious lessons in subtlety and keeping heads down
- Notable Moments: Grok’s mind-reading gambit, Hawthorne’s ambitious disguise schemes
Attendees & Status
Present:
- Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 5
- Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 5
- Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric/Druid, Level 5
- Erik as Dungeon Master
Absent:
- Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 5
Setting & Atmosphere
- City of Ximes with distinctive yellowish buildings
- Oppressive religious control creating atmosphere of fear
- Large temple with neoclassical and Gothic architecture
- Evening transitioning to night
- Town pub/inn where party discusses plans
Key Events
- Secured appointment with Bishop Azedarac for tomorrow at 11am
- Grok successfully used detect thoughts on innkeeper
- Discovered Jehan is Bishop’s right-hand man and enforcer
- Discussed elaborate plans involving disguises and love potions
- Decided to wait for Selnove before confronting Bishop
Character Moments
- Hawthorne attempting various forms to gather information
- Grok boldly using detect thoughts despite magic being frowned upon
- Thal proposing initial infiltration plan using Hawthorne’s abilities
- Party working together to plan bishop infiltration
Important NPC Interactions
- Bishop Azedarac (planned meeting tomorrow at 11am)
- Guards at temple giving appointment time
- Innkeeper revealing information under detect thoughts about Jehan
- Baker offering bread to help with Bishop interview
Loot Acquired
N/A
Relationship Web
N/A - No significant relationship developments in this session
Emotional Highlights
- Tension when planning bishop infiltration
- Humor during disguise discussions
- Rising anxiety about tomorrow’s meeting
Narrative Consequences
- Arranged crucial meeting with Bishop Azedarac
- Discovered Jehan’s role as enforcer
- Created multiple backup plans for obtaining potion
- Established knowledge of town’s fear structure
The Plan (so far)
- Meet Bishop Azedarac tomorrow at 11am
- Attempt regular interview to get potion
- If that fails, knock out the Bishop during private meeting
- Hawthorne transforms into the Bishop
- Hawthorne-as-Bishop does something embarrassing in public
- Collect potion from Moriani while town processes scandal
- Escape during chaos
Player-Specific Notes
Thal
- Proposed initial infiltration plan
- Focused on investigation and scouting
- Maintains skeptical viewpoint on plans
Hawthorne
- Demonstrated shapeshifting abilities
- Attempted diplomatic approaches
- Proposed bold infiltration plan variations
Grok
- Successfully used detect thoughts spell
- Discovered Jehan’s true role
- Participated in strategic planning
- Bringing sidekick dog for Selnove (surprise gift)
Decisions Made
- Meet Bishop Azedarac tomorrow at 11am
- Wait for Selnove before proceeding
- Keep multiple plans ready (interview vs. infiltration)
- Continue investigating Jehan discreetly
Notable Quotes
Grok: “Don’t be sad, your God is with you.” (Sending comforting messages to sad temple-goers)
Hawthorne: “Fuck a bishop. When are you ever going to say you had the opportunity to fuck a bishop and you didn’t fuck a bishop?” (Discussing disguise plan)
Innkeeper: “If that’s all you have left, then you have bigger problems than I can ever help.” (Warning about Jehan)
Thal: “Well, we need to be a bit prepared if we’re gonna interview him so we don’t look like we’re bullshitting our way.” (Planning for tomorrow’s meeting)
Cliffhanger/Unresolved Questions
- Whether to interview Bishop Azedarac or attempt infiltration
- True nature of Bishop’s power and relationship with Jehan
- Success of party’s elaborate plans
- Selnove’s reaction to surprise dog
Next Time
- Meeting with Bishop Azedarac at 11am
- Selnove’s return and reaction to surprise dog
- Execution of chosen plan to obtain potion
- Potential confrontation with Jehan