Session Information

Session Date: 25th May 2026
Saga: 8th Saga - Dust Devils
Attendance: Sam Gallon,Rowan Hales,Tom Brothers,Caleb Hamlet

Session Summary

After discovering that Chenris had covered Halfbie's room with additional Arithmancy and nonsense puzzles overnight, the party took Cas out to explore Blackwall. They visited a popular new bakery called Greg's, where they purchased prophetic bread (receiving cryptic fortunes like "Be careful of the third spoon" and "Beware of Denola"), then headed to the Ye Olde Pub Down The Road. There, they joined the Merchants' Guild to secure comfortable travel options toward the desert, with Halfbie attempting to negotiate closer trade ties between the Guild and the OFC government. The group also learned about a nuisance youth faction called "Better Blackwall" and a nightclub in a nearby cave, but both were closed for the day.

Upon returning home, Viktor completed a Hallowed spell designed to force Chenris to take control of Halfbie's body while Mordecai cast Zone of Truth. Chenris answered questions coldly and evasively, confirming his plan involves separating from Halfbie but refusing to share details, though he admitted he genuinely likes Drache and the Korrigan. When the spell ended, Halfbie awoke with complete amnesia, unable to recognize any party member or remember their months of shared adventures. As they tried to convince him to see a healer at the mage's guild, the party stepped outside to find the body of Denola, the name from Viktor's prophetic bread, lying dead in the town square.

Full Session Notes

Halfbie and Drache stood in the middle of the room looking at the wide array of Arithmancy that Chenris had scrawled on the wall. Halfbie was slowly losing it as they studied each formula, trying to understand what Chenris was calculating. This continued for a while before Halfbie eventually murmured: "I get it." When asked, Halfbie began explaining one equation that eventually turned into a joke.

Drache could not understand the joke, and no matter how many times halfbie tried to explain it, Drache could not understand. Halfbie eventually gave up and asked Drache if he wanted to walk around Blackwall or the surrounding area to see if anything interesting was happening, especially since Mordecai and Viktor seemed to be busy. Drache agreed, both eager to get out of the room.

Walking through the corridors of the black tower, they ran into Mordecai and Cas. They both mentioned that they were heading out, and Mordecai half-jokingly said that they should take Cas along with them. The two exchanged glances and then agreed, holding Cas's hands and walking almost like a mini family out of the palace. Mordecai watched them leave before going 'wait...' as they had not thought that Halfbie and Drache would actually take her with them. Mordecai chased after them determined not to leave Cas alone or start getting FOMO.

Halfbie and Drache decided that it would be best to show Cas Ye Olde Pub Down The Road, stating that, as the official sponsors of the pub, they definitely need to show the kids the venue. However, as they walked down Blackwall's main street, they came across a brand-new shop with a huge crowd trying to buy what was being sold.

The shop was called Greg's Bakery, so they decided to have a look and see what all the fuss was about. The bakery seemed to specialise in various savoury baked goods, including cylindrical ground pork wrapped in pastry and squared pockets stuffed with meat and gravy. However, what caught everyone's attention was the bakery's offering of 'Prophetic bread'. The group decided that they might as well try it, especially since they had enough gold to last them a while.

Halfbie and Mordecai (who had caught up with them by now) both bought their own breads and an extra for Viktor. Drache didn't want one and instead bought himself and Cas a cherry tart. The party got the following fortunes: "Be careful of the third spoon", "The rain is wet", and "Beware of Denola".

Having now got their fortunes and not being especially impressed with them, they all made their way over to the Ye Olde Pub Down The Road. Upon entering, they noticed a man sitting in the corner of the pub with a sign that said: "Join the Merchants Guild today!" Halfbie and Drache approached the merchants' guild and asked for more information. The recruiter explained that they were trying to increase the number of workers who knew the OFC region and, in general, recover their numbers. He also explained that the merchants' guild allowed adventurers to start at the lowest rank and climb the ranks as fast as they wanted. As long as they made lots of money, the guild was willing to promote them quickly.

Halfbie asked if the guild made any deliveries to the desert, but unfortunately, the recruiter said they didn't anymore, as getting the carts back into the amber realms was a struggle, so they stopped making as many deliveries there. However, they did make deliveries to most other areas in the realms.

Halfbie and Drache decided that this would be a great opportunity to not only make a decent amount of money but also to travel in a much more comfortable way. The caravan might not be able to take them all the way, but they could at least go to a few places on the way, and potentially check in on Obeus to find out what was happening.

Halfbie and Drache filled out the forms to join, notably at the bottom of the form, the person who was meant to conduct their test was a woman named Denola. Halfbie also interrupted Mordecai's conversation with the bartender to give them a form, which they quickly filled out to get Halfbie out of their face. Then, after consulting Drache, Halfbie approached the recruiter and asked whether he was in charge of the OFC region or if there was someone above him. The man said there was a manager to whom he could pass along a message if needed.

Halfbie explained that they knew some people higher up in the OFC government who might be interested in working with the merchants' guild much more closely. The man's eyes immediately pricked up. Halfbie explained that they might be interested in giving some tax cuts or traffic discounts if the merchants' guild were willing to invest more resources in the area and trade in higher volumes with the nation. The recruiter said they may be interested and will pass the message to the manager for the OFC area. They will get back to Halfbie if they want to set up a meeting to discuss specifics.

While this conversation was happening, Mordecai and Cas approached the bartender to get a drink as well as find out if the bartender knew about anything interesting happening in the area. He mentioned that a new bakery had recently opened and was incredibly popular, especially since its bread could predict the future. When asked for some examples, he explained he had one that said a new person would enter his life; the very next day, the merchant guild recruiter appeared in the pub and made his stand.

Mordecai didn't seem convinced and gave him their fortune, asking what he made of it. They both decided to tempt fate slightly, and the bartender got 3 spoons out of the clean tray. Mordecai picked up the 3rd and didn't notice anything really happening when they put it down. The bartender realised that that spoon was actually a dirty one that he must have put back in the wrong tray.

Halfbie suddenly appeared and shoved a form in Mordecai's face. Mordecai looked at the form, confused, before quickly signing it to get Halfbie to leave them alone. Before they left, Halfbie asked the bartender for a glass of wine, then returned to talking to the recruiter.

Cas had finished her drink by this point and demanded to drink what Mordecai was having, a shandy topped with cherry liquor. Eventually, she was compromised and given one, but very watered down.

The bartender also said that there was a group of teens who had got together to make their own small nation called 'Better Blackwall' and were causing a nuisance throughout the town. Additionally, a new nightclub had popped up in a nearby cave, a cave Mordecai eventually realised was the one where they first met Chenris and Drache when captured by the red cult ^[1].

Unfortunately, both Better Blackwall and the nightclub were closed for the day. The kids were most likely at school, and the club only opened on certain nights. The group decided to pass the time by playing the dice game Chenris and Drache always used to play. Cas used her abilities to ensure she always won the games, earning a handful of pocket lint that the group were using as 'bets'.

As it started getting dark, they all went home. When Halfbie entered their room and saw their walls again, they mumbled and then flopped down, not what they would have done when they woke up wrong. Mordecai suggested covering up the equations with sheets of paper, but Halfbie quickly pointed out that this would give Chenris more space to write things down. Eventually Halfbie did manage to get to sleep. As soon as the coast was clear, Cas and Mordecai snuck into his room and started putting up sheets of paper. Mordecai informed Cas this was what they called a fun prank. Cas, for her part, tried her best, but as she was blind, she was unable to put up the sheets properly.

As they stifled their laughter, Halfbie suddenly got out of bed and summoned their magic quill. Chenris walked up and said, "This is the only time you'll hear me say this Mx Reverence, i am very proud of you for thinking of this prank." before beginning to write down as many random equations and Arithmancy jokes as possible. He also put many puzzles that led nowhere, including a large magic circle scattered across many sheets, hidden in the room.

In the morning, Drache and Mordecai awoke to Halfbie calling for them, saying it had happened again. Mordecai and Cas could barely hold in their laughter as they watched Halfbie have a mental breakdown trying to solve the various things Chenris had written down. Before they could say anything, Viktor called up for Mordecai as his spell had been completed.

They joined him downstairs to find that he had cast the hallowed spell successfully, which had the added effect that Cas was now unable to enter the room. He explained his plan to them: They would get Halfbie to come down and enter the hallowed spell, forcing Chenris to take control. Then Mordecai would cast Zone of Truth on the area, and they would both nerf Chenris to make sure he was under the effects of the spell. Mordecai nodded and they called after Halfbie.

Halfbie, eager to get out of the room after finding yet another joke, confidently walked into the room, causing their vision to go black as they floated through a dark void, as memories flashed past them. Halfbie's usually casual stance and relaxed posture slowly morphed into something more dignified and refined as Chenris took control. Mordecai and Viktor quickly cast their spells, all of which succeeded.

Chenris calmly surveyed the scene in front of him. It was clear to him that he was under a few spells, but he wasn't fully aware of which ones at this point. There was a long pause before he spoke in a cold, deliberate tone that sent shivers down everyone's spines. "Good morning, Fatebreakers and Mx Reverence", he gave a curt bow, "To what do I owe the pleasure for such an... interesting meeting?"

Mordecai was about to protest Chenris' rude comment about them before Viktor cut them off. He explained they had a few questions for Chenris. Chenris said he would answer what he could but gave no promises.

Mordecai started by saying, "Chenris, we know you have some plan going on in the background. Unfortunately, that is stressing out a few of the party members, especially the one you are sharing a body with. Could you please explain what your secret plan is?"

"No." Chenris replied flatly.

There was a long pause before Viktor spoke up. "You must be very proud of your work, surely you wish to share it with as many people who will listen, no?"

"I am not in the business of wasting incomplete research. When i have finished my work then i may share it with everyone."

"I have dabbled in academia, you know... I dropped out due to boredom, but I know you typically share a proposal for such research"

"How could you possibly get bored? It's academia?!" Chenris scoffed.

"Ok, ok, ok", Mordecai interjected, "Are we in direct danger? Does your plan involve us in danger?"

"Not directly"

"How so?"

"The same way that you could easily get hurt walking down the street. I do not pretend to be able to predict every part of the universe we inhabit"

"Does your plan involve the gods?"

"Do" Chenris corrected, "Doctor Malkovich, when have the party not been involved with the ashen pantheon?"

"Hmm yes, that is quite troubling", pondered Viktor, "especially with how the gods typically don't interact with mortals regularly, but this isn't the same with the party." There was a brief pause as Viktor realised he had gotten off-track. "Do your plans involve controlling or removing the gods?"

"Surely everyone is aware that it is impossible to control the gods." Chenris replied.

"You can kill a god, however." Viktor countered.

"Well, i would argue that Vaelrith never truly dies, as he is back to his usual duties"

"Congratulations on becoming a father by the way"

"Why, thank you, I suppose this is technically my body after all, so Vaelrith would be my son rather than the boy's"

Mordecai asked if Chenris and Halfbie were related, to which he firmly denied the possibility. "Then why were they chosen as your new body after your death?" asked Mordecai.

"Why does a dragonfly get born on one day versus another? Who knows? The gods are fickle beings that thrive on whatever amuses them at that moment," Chenris retorted.

"Hmm he makes a good point Mordecai" said Viktor, "I do like this Mr Tallfellow"

"Thank you, Doctor Malkovich", Chenris Tallfellow replied politely.

"I assume you are a doctor too, no?"

"I was never a medical doctor, but I did have a few doctorates in various magical studies." answered Chenris.

Trying his best to bring the conversation back on topic, Viktor mentions how Chenris may have no ill intention towards the party, just like how he had no bad intention towards Halfbie. Still, they might be suffering in a void while they spoke. He asked if Chenris's plan would cause any collateral damage to harm the party, such as having the citizens of the golden fort become collateral during the raid. Chenris said he held no ill will against the citizens of the Golden Fort.

Mordecai wondered aloud how Halfbie was doing. Chenris said he wouldn't be able to say without knowing exactly what spell Viktor had cast. "And judging by your rush to ask as many questions, there is some form of time limit associated with said spell."

Viktor and Mordecai exchanged nervous glances, both of them very aware that Mordecai's zone of truth spell would not last much longer. To cover for this, Viktor explained that his spell wouldn't have much time left, as an attempt to cover up that it was actually Mordecai's spell that would run out soon. Chenris instantly caught on to this fact.

"Do you really think that low of me that I wouldn't see through your deceptions?!" Chenris said leering at the doctor. "How could a spell that took you a full day to cast only last a few minutes? I assume it was one of the other spells cast on me."

"Ah, Mr Tallfellow, you are one sharp cookie! well at least i think that is the phrase, no?" Drache gave Viktor a thumbs up, "ah hah i was right, yes, you're a sharp cookie"

"Moving past the fact that cookies cannot be sharp, thank you, good doctor."

Mordecai rolled their eyes, while Drache couldn't help but laugh.

"Final question:" said Viktor, "Does your plan involve being separate from Halfbie?"

"If all goes well, yes."

"After this separation, what would happen to you?"

"You seem to have a lot of final questions..."

"Yes i do, so what is your answer?"

"Unfortunately, when you're on the cutting edge of science and magical studies, it is impossible to know what will happen. So if you asked me if the boy may die or not, I wouldn't be able to tell you"

"Then why don't you tell us what you are researching?"

"As one elegantly put it before... Spoilers" Chenris said flatly.

Viktor put his hands up, saying he had no questions and that if anyone wanted to ask something, now was the chance.

"Hey, did you actually like us?"

Chenris explained that there are certain members of the party whose company he truly enjoys, those being Drache and Korrigan. Other members he wouldn't go so far as to say he liked them, looking directly at Mordecai when he said that. Chenris then took great joy in the face Mordecai pulled when they heard it.

Viktor then explained that they had put Chenris under the effects of the Hallowed spell. Chenris nodded in understanding, explaining that it was one of the spells he thought could be at work. He then guessed the other spell was Zone of Truth. Viktor then excitedly showed Chenris the magic circle used in the casting of the spell, to which Chenris congratulated him on creating a textbook casting seal, but showed him where small improvements could be made.

After that, Chenris and Viktor shook hands as the spell was dismissed. Inside the void, Halfbie felt their consciousness returning; however, when they opened their eyes, they were surrounded by people they did not recognise: a tiefling, a dragonborn, a child who seemed angry, and a tall, pale man who was still shaking their hand. Viktor welcomed them back.

Halfbie looked around before asking who everyone was, insisting that they did not remember any of them. After introducing themselves as Halfbie, the group did the same but tried to convince them that they had been travelling together for months. Halfbie claimed that if that were the case, they would surely remember each other. Eventually, Halfbie left, stating they needed to meet up with their real party since they were probably looking for them.

Along the way, Halfbie bumped into Steve, who sat Halfbie down for a cup of tea to find out what was happening. Halfbie explained as the rest of the party caught up. Steve said that Halfbie should start telling them stories of their adventures. If the party could not finish them, then that was a clear sign that Halfbie was right. They began recounting various tales, all of which the party finished and even corrected details that had been purposely gotten wrong; however, they still struggled to believe them.

It was eventually decided that halfbie would see Terence Witherfeather, as he might have a cure for what was happening. They all began walking to the mage's guild; however, they did not get far. As they exited the black tower, they saw, in the centre of the square, the body of Denola dead.

Trivia & Notes

• The large magic circle Chenris made as a part of the prank, when powered creates a giant hand flipping the bird.
• Sam Gallon said Halfbie looked similar to this image when they woke up to the prank.

Footnotes