Campaign 3 : Intro Vignette

The opening vignette of The Twilight Anarchy, read at the first session on 2023-10-18 (see the session page for 2023-10-18).

Scabard notes

On the First Day of Evening Star in the year 1040 Post Calamity, the world of Eavaros is awash with uncertainty and speculation. Unusual celestial phenomena have been reported, prompting questions about whether these are mere myths, new legends, or signs of a growing madness among the populace. To the north, the Therian Confederacy is amassing its forces at an alarming rate, its intentions yet unknown but concerning nonetheless. In Potenxia—once the royal heart of the Dottenland—a long-simmering political unrest continues to churn, over two decades after the overthrow of the royal family. Across the lands, rumors of a clandestine group dabbling in forbidden magics have been growing steadily, a whisper in the wind that carries a note of foreboding.

Focus on Shade Hollow

In the frontier town of Shade Hollow, governed by the gruff and self-interested Thadeus Crane, life teeters between challenge and reward. Crane's interest in governance rarely extends beyond maintaining his own status and caring for his daughter. Despite this, the town has found a semblance of stability, perhaps due to the recent boom in tin mining. Activities in the Drylands have significantly increased, and the rhythmic clatter of carts transporting tin over the Ironvein and Misthold Bridges has become a near-constant soundtrack to life in the town.

In the Fields to the South

The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows over a peculiar field. It's not the crops that catch the eye but the workforce tending to them: a strong individual wrapped in dark clothes toils in the field, their face entirely obscured, shuffling through the soil with eerie efficiency while another figure watches from a nearby barn. The watcher in the barn is Thoren Blackthorn.

A rustling in the bushes interrupts any thoughts. A young street orphan named Lysander emerges from the foliage, panting and clutching a small, rolled-up piece of parchment. The orphan girl , Lysander, says : "I've got this note from Kael." She holds her nose "manure smells worse than a goblins toilet today Mr Blackthorn., im gonna go now" The letter is an invitation to come to the Anchor, I have something you might want to see.

At the Preparatory College

A small office off to the side of Headmaster Holloways office. a boy of around 14 sits picking his nose across a small table from Binkette.

The boy is Chad, a human with too many interests and no focus: metallurgy, scrimshaw and leadwork, a career as a professional pankratiast, also maybe piracy. Would he make a good baker? Has anyone tried the new carob cookies at Crusty's? What is carob, anyway?

Into the Rusted Anchor

In the cosy, weathered confines of the Rusted Anchor, townsfolk gather to unwind, their conversations for the most part at a sensible volume are cut with voracious laughter coming from 2 short and stout halflings that seem to be guiding a few out of town off duty guards around. The tavern walls, adorned with nautical relics and age-old memorabilia, exude a sense of camaraderie and history that binds the community together.

The halfling exclaim in obviously rehearsed rhetoric, "and this is the very place with Braggum the indomitable was pushed into that trap door there and the journey of the fate makers began. That concludes our tour for today, please don't forget to tip your guide. The mercenaries grumble that this is the worst tour they've ever been on, and throw a little silver into the hats of the halflings anyway before retiring to a table near the back of the Inn.

Archivist Seraphina, the diligent custodian of the Archive, steps into the tavern. She weaves through the crowd and leans close to the figure, whispering, "I hope this evening finds you well. I've noticed a few of our newer acquisitions have gone missing—one is with Lady Eudora, but the others are unaccounted for. Should you or anyone you know come across these books, their return would be most appreciated." The figure is Kael Sunstrike.

In Catos Apothecary backroom

The air in Cato's Apothecary is thick with the scent of herbs, incense, and alchemical reagents. Bottles of varying sizes line the wooden shelves, filled with liquids and powders of every conceivable colour. Cato, the shop's is out the front loading some empty vials onto a cart.

in a side roomwe see a menagerie of pets—frogs in a glass terrarium, a snake coiled inside another, and even a cage of small birds. We notice a new arrival: a vibrant, exotic fish swimming in a bowl, its scales shimmering in the light. Standing over them is Ono Palevo.

after the scene resolves , Cato will return to the shop, a halfling male about 3 foot tall and will either not notice or pretend not to notice any aftermath.

Catos front room

the door chimes as Reid Ransom walks in. The atmosphere in the shop becomes subtly lighter, celestial energy faintly glowing around him. Cato looks up and smiles.

After Ono makes a decision about Cato's pets, Reid Ransom enters the shop, celestial energy subtly glowing around him. Cato looks up, clearly relieved.

"Reid, perfect timing," Cato says without preamble. "Two cartloads of reagents are overdue for delivery to 'The Beast's Bounty.' Harlow's assistant should've been here by now, and I can't afford to let these sit any longer."

Cato moves to a shelf, retrieving a small jar filled with a fragrant salve. "This is for Alaric Sunstrike, Kael's father. It may help alleviate some of his suffering. I expect it to be delivered."

Cato's Directives

With a firm expression, Cato continues, "You'll need help. Get Kael and Thoren on this. Ono," he nods in the alchemist's direction, "you're going too. And perhaps reach out to Bunboi. He might be willing to help for some extra coin."

With a finality that brooks no argument, Cato adds, "For your troubles and to sweeten the pot for Thoren, here are those aromatics he's been hounding me for. Make sure they get there, all of you."