#Gandarall

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: Now that you're crowned the heir to the Persian throne and the empress of Gandarall, the plan is for you to make a speech endorsing Emperor Cherish. Of course, you could go rogue and kill him and take the throne now.

Adam (playing Billie): *considers* No, I don't think I'm going to stab Cherish.

DM: I mean, I didn't think so, but I have to play devil's advocate from time to time.

[we-are-a-dragon]

Last session's recap:

Travelling Trauma Centre returned from a few weeks off visiting families and generally road-tripping around, and Billie was coronated as the recognised empress of Gandarall (an ancient empire replaced a thousand years ago) and the heir to the throne of present-day Persia. They spent another couple of weeks mucking around in the capital city of Suda while Billie sorted out all the little details of her new role, and eventually their butler Knockfit gave them a quest to get them out from underfoot.

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: The ball is a great opportunity for networking. You can talk to your fellow knights, get to know more of the nobility, learn some of the big movers in Persia right now. The Crown Prince of the Legisal Empire seeks you out - he's very charming, very diplomatic.

Adam (playing Billie): Is he hot?

DM: He's a half-dwarf - tall for a dwarf, very fine luscious hair, chiseled features.

Tati (playing Seraph): Looks like Thorin from the Hobbit movies?

DM: Yeah, okay. He talks very pretty but doesn't give anything up. It's all legalese.

Adam: But not malicious?

DM: No, he's not trying to trick you into anything. His country stands to lose a lot of territory if the empire of Gandarall is re-established, so he wants you as an ally.

Tati: Can I have Alwel as my +1 standing behind me whispering translations of all the prince-speak?

DM: Yeah, that's funny.

[we-are-a-dragon]

Rach (playing Ashiok): Are people betting on who the mystery heir is?

DM: Oh, yes. There's a city-wide betting pool.

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): Who's got the best odds out of us?

DM: I'll roll for it. Seraph.

Tati (playing Seraph): Woo! Though, it should probably be Billie by default since there have been rumours about her having the sword for months.

DM: That's true. You're the highest odds after Billie. Thaddeus also has good odds because of his soldier background. Kjell and Godric both have terrible odds - Godric's too small and Kjell's too young.

Tati: I'm barely older than Kjell, why do I have good odds?

DM: You're a weird race, and people think the heir to an ancient empire like Gandarall might be unusual.

Rach: Does Galwyn have good odds?

DM: No, actually. He's been around so long people figure he'd have come forward as the heir before now if he was going to.

Rach: Fair, actually.

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: The news that a ruler of Gandarall has been found spreads all over the country. Thousands of people queue to try out the crown and sword.

Adam (playing Billie): Have they announced my identity?

DM: No, it's a mystery for now.

Adam: I could line up and try them out. Cause chaos when they transform for me.

DM: *facepalms*

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: You've just finished your road trip to see all your families. Once you get back to the city you chill for a few days. Maybe take part in a few games of Persia's national sport, volleyball...

Party: *laugh*

DM: And then Vikavar, the Master of Ceremonies, pays you a visit at TTC manor to discuss Billie's coronation.

Adam (playing Billie): Does he need the Gand?

DM: No, he borrowed it before you left and he's already familiarized himself with the ancient ceremonies of Gandarall recorded in it. The next step before you can be officially recognised - and you're not going to like this - is you have to surrender the crown of Gandarall and the Herald of Mercy sword to him for three days.

Adam: I stiffen at this news.

DM: According to Gandarall custom, when a new ruler is chosen the sword and crown must be put on display for three days. Anyone in the kingdom can try them on, to strengthen the conviction that you are the only legitimate heir. They'll be under the highest protection available to the throne of Persia.

Adam: Ugh... I guess I have no choice. I hand them over.

[we-are-a-dragon]

M (playing Kjell): When Ashiok hugs me I pull Seraph into the hug too and mouth "Help..." Kjell has no idea how to do this.

Rach (playing Ashiok): I cling to both of you.

Tati (playing Seraph): *soft* This is the first time Kjell has hugged Seraph since she got back from Gandarall.

Rach: I wipe my eyes and say I'm going to go into the garden and hit some targets for a bit.

Tati: Do you want company?

Rach: Nah.

Tati: I ask our footman 15-C to keep an eye on her.

DM: He will.

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: At the end of the ball, Dorphi approaches you quietly. "Not to alarm you, but word is there's a raging street party outside your manor. It's not dangerous, they seem to be celebrating your coronation. I've sent additional guards to supplement yours. If you'd rather avoid all that you're welcome to stay the night in the palace."

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): Hmm, we probably shouldn't come swooping in on our griffons.

Adam (playing Billie): Or maybe I should! Give the people what they want! Yeah, I'm going to.

DM: You cause a stir. There's lots of cheering.

Hamish: I go out and check out the party.

DM: There's strong good feeling toward both Billie and Emperor Cherish. There's a tiny element of 'Why do we need him, let's just go back to Gandarall days already' but it's a minority, people seem very happy with the merger.

Hamish: I'll monitor those comments but don't get involved if it seems minor. Is there food?

DM: Yes, there's food, alcohol, and drugs of the legal and illegal varieties. Nobody tries to sell you drugs.

Hamish: I give them a disapproving glare anyway.

DM: "I don't wanna sell you deathsticks. I wanna go home and rethink my life."

Hamish: Yeah, get out of here. Not on my doorstep.

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: Between you, you find out that the location of the Crownkeeper's residence never became public knowledge. When a new ruler pulled the Herald of Mercy from the stone, they would get a Sending message telling them where to go, and they'd make a solo pilgrimage to collect the crown.

Adam (playing Billie): *pouts* I haven't gotten a Sending.

Tati (playing Seraph): I think the Crownkeeper title has probably fallen into disuse, Gandarall's been broken up for over a thousand years at this point.

Adam: Wait, 'solo pilgrimage'? Do I have to go alone?

Marijn (playing Godric): Nah, we'll come with you.

Tati: If nothing else, we're not going to make you fend off Ioreth's goons on your own.

DM: Enough stories of sightings before and after each new ruler appeared with the crown have circulated to place the assumed location roughly in a mountain range to the south-west of Suda. Sand the genasi has narrowed it down further to the Red Mountain, the closest peak in the range.

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): How far away is that?

DM: Ten days hard travel on foot.

Tati: I say, "We're gonna need-" and I glance guiltily at Billie "-no offence whatsoever to Peanut, but I think if we're racing against Ioreth we're gonna need fast horses for this one."

Adam: "Oh, completely agree. Honestly, I think Peanut is well overdue for retirement, and we probably shouldn't harness her up again."

Tati: "Oh, thank goodness."

Marijn: I say, "She can graze in my orchard for the rest of her life."

Tati: "You're just letting her loose in the garden?"

Marijn: "Yeah. In my orchard."

Tati: "She needs a safe fenced area so she can't wander around and eat plants that might be poisonous to her."

Marijn: "She wouldn't do that."

Tati: "I have no idea what makes you think that."

Marijn: "I know what plants aren't safe for me. She does too."

Tati: "...I can't believe I have to say this, Godric, but you are in fact smarter than a cow."

[we-are-a-dragon]

Godric (fairy warlock): On an impulse I call Maria on the Sending Stone. "Hey Maria, do you have a minute?"

DM: She answers, "What do you want, Godric?"

Godric: *blinks* "How did you know it was me?"

DM: "You're a fairy, you have a distinctive voice."

Godric: "Yeah, well... Hey, did you ever encounter a king called Ellidir? Probably a long time ago?"

DM: She thinks for a moment. "Uh... Yeah. He ruled before Gandarall."

Godric: "Wow, okay! Was he, was he a good guy?" *nervous*

DM: "Reasonably, I guess."

Godric: "Okay. Thanks." I hang up.

Billie (gnome ardent): How are you so awkward??

Godric: I don't know.

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: Ioreth gazes out the window for a moment, then closes the curtains and turns back to you.

Marijn (playing Godric)): *alarmed* I demand, "What are you doing?"

DM: She smiles sweetly. "Let's have a chat."

Marijn: "No, I think I'll leave now."

DM: "Don't go, we've only just started. I think we've gotten off on the wrong foot."

Marijn: "Why did you close the curtains?"

DM: She shrugs one shoulder. "I know you can teleport. I'd like you to stay and talk. You know I want the crown and the sword. Maybe we can come to an arrangement now, just the two of us."

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): Oh no.

Marijn: *hesitates* "I'll need to consult the rest of my party before agreeing to anything."

DM: "A pity."

Tati (playing Seraph): Godric's one braincell triumphs!

Marijn: I ask, "Why do you really want the items?"

DM: She repeats, "For my collection. I'm passionate about history."

Marijn: I start backing toward the door.

DM: She keeps pace with you.

Marijn: "Why are you following me??"

DM: "I want to keep conversing with you."

Marijn: "Well, you're creeping me the fuck out!"

DM: She stops. "What can I do to gain your trust?"

Marijn: "Come and talk to us as yourself, for starters. Stop walking after me, for another!" I teleport into the hallway.

DM: Unfortunately it's a long hallway and she's able to just step out and see you. She sighs and says, "Very well, I may come and introduce myself. Ostorin, Godric is leaving. Will you show him the way out?"

Marijn: I snap, "I can show myself out!"

DM: Ostorin opens the door for you.

Marijn: I say to him, "Look, it's not you, it's your employer. You seem like a great guy. That being said, don't come back to our house."

DM: "...Okay."

Tati: He's not some hapless servant, he's up to his slimy neck in her nefarious plans!

[we-are-a-dragon]

Tati (playing Seraph): I give Billie the crown of Gandarall as soon as we get outside the lodge.

Adam (playing Billie): I thought I already had it.

Party: No.

M (playing Kjell): We don't know what would have happened if we reunited the sword and the crown in the lab. Probably nothing! But it would have sucked if it set off a trap.

Adam: Hmph. I grab it off Seraph.

DM: As soon as you touch it, it transforms from pitted iron to shining gold glittering with emeralds, recognising its destined owner.

Adam: Does it have any powers?

Tati: Not outside of the transformation.

Adam: Ah, well. I bring out the Herald of Mercy too.

Tati: I say, "Looks good. Give us a spin."

Adam: I twirl around.

DM: It suits you well. It feels like the crown has sized itself perfectly to your head.

M: I'm just giving you a look.

Adam: "What?"

M: "I feel like this has changed you."

Adam: "Whatever, Kjell! Let me have this!"

[we-are-a-dragon]

Party recap:

Travelling Trauma Centre declared opposition to Ioreth, who wanted them to fetch the crown of ancient Gandarall for her but refused to reveal her reasons. With the race on, TTC bought a variety of flying mounts, researched the location of the legendary Crownkeeper's Lodge, and set off for the Red Mountain.

While pausing to gather information in the foothill village of Rustcliff, the party came to the startling realisation that the local myth of a 'leviathan that will destroy the world' refers to the Tarrasque, which is almost certainly slumbering under this very mountain range - and nobody knows how long it will be until the worldkiller awakens...

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: So Maria is sitting with Billie's magic sword, the one that supposedly only transforms when Billie is holding it and marked Billie as the next destined ruler of Gandarall. She clears her throat and says, "A while ago I was going by the name Naharaz."

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): History check on the name?

DM: Naharaz was the queen who founded ancient Gandarall.

Party: *chokes*

Tati (playing Seraph): I ask, "When you say 'going by the name-'"

M (playing Kjell): "I think she said what she meant, Seraph."

DM: Naharaz was famously a sorcerer-warrior queen who created the empire of Gandarall over 2000 years ago and ruled for 200 years before mysteriously disappearing. Maria says, "Yes, that Naharaz. I ruled Gandarall, but being my own brand of immortal, I eventually got sick of it. I cast a rather complicated spell on my sword and announced to my council that I would disappear on the next eclipse. When the eclipse came I activated the spell, placed the sword in the stone, and indeed disappeared. The rest, as they say, is history."

Hamish: I say, "You're even older than I thought. And more powerful - you can do magic, too? Just how old are you?"

M: You can't ask that!

DM: She says, "Let's just say I wasn't young when I founded Gandarall." You get the sudden feeling that Maria has more than dabbled - she can probably do anything that anyone in this room can do, and she can probably do it better.

Adam (playing Billie): This has blown my tiny gnome brain. Hell, this has blown my tiny human brain.

[we-are-a-dragon]

Thaddeus (khajiit paladin): What do you want with all these Gandarall artefacts?

DM: Mr Ostorin says, "For a private collection. My employer is an avid history enthusiast."

Seraph (siren sorcerer): *mutters* Bullshit.

DM: "We have already acquired The Gand - thanks to you, as we understand."

Thaddeus: Wait, this is who we got The Gand for?

DM: "Maria Cleaves did not want to take on any more jobs, so gave us your name as a potential replacement. Now, the crown..."

Seraph: *suppressing anger* We don't deal with anonymous figures. We have a certain history with that kind of thing.

DM: "My employer-"

Seraph: Can come and talk to us themselves. Go tell them we don't work for anyone whose face we haven't seen.

DM: He looks around.

Billie (gnome ardent): *shrugs*

DM: He sighs. "Very well, I will tell them what you have said."

[we-are-a-dragon]

DM: Larissa blasts your living room with ice and you each take 20 cold damage from the attack. Maria looks at you and says, "Do you want me to get involved, or is this your fight?"

Hamish (playing Thaddeus): "Might as well."

DM: She murmurs to herself, "What should I use today?"

Tati (playing Seraph): *wide eyes*

DM: She considers for a moment, then pulls a warhammer out of her Bag of Holding. Alright, it's one weedy lich vs the ten of you, including the ancient sorcerer queen of Gandarall. This won't take long.