vault backup: 2025-02-17 11:37:31

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/People/Magnus Brand.md

@@ -12,6 +12,6 @@ Orphaned due to flood at a young age
 
 He saw something underwater with many eyes
 
-He grew up in a Arisen orphanage.
+He grew up in an Arisen orphanage.
 
 He still searches for that experience.

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/People/Moran.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Moran is the God of Inbetween and Balance, worshipped on the island of [[Caelmire]]. Often depicted as a deer, Moran is one of the three deities—alongside [[Sedna]] and [[Ymros]]—who maintain the balance of Caelmire.
+
+Followers of Moran play a role in keeping the local fauna in harmony. When a species begins to dominate another, followers are responsible for ensuring the balance by regulating the population.

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/People/Sedna.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Sedna is the God of Life and Light, worshipped on the island of [[Caelmire]]. They are often depicted as a seal. Together with [[Ymros]] and [[Moran]] they keep the balance of Caelmire.
+
+Followers of Sedna leave offerings to the local wildlife.

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/People/Ymros.md

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Ymros, also known as Ymros The Raven King, is the God of Death and Darkness worshipped on the island of [[Caelmire]]. They often take the form of a man dressed in raven-like robes, but is also depicted as a human sized raven. Together with [[Sedna]] and [[Moran]] they keep the balance of Caelmire.
+
+Followers of Ymros are tasked with protecting the island. 

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Sessions/Session 001.md

@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ At the library, the party split up to research different topics:
 
 - Marie focused on the Shattered Isles. She learned that the region had once been plagued by sea monsters, but with the invention of gunpowder and improved defenses, such attacks had ceased. Pirates, once a significant threat, had all but disappeared after a massive battle between two pirate clans 100 years ago.
 - Crofton researched amulets, discovering that such items could be linked to ancient gods and forgotten religions.
-- Magnus delved into information about the Scourged. He found that those who came into contact with the Scourged were susceptible to [[The Taint]], a condition that rots the body from within and eventually transforms the afflicted into a Scourged. Additionally, he uncovered a passage about the worship of [[Ymros, the Raven King]], in the Shattered Isles:
+- Magnus delved into information about the Scourged. He found that those who came into contact with the Scourged were susceptible to [[The Taint]], a condition that rots the body from within and eventually transforms the afflicted into a Scourged. Additionally, he uncovered a passage about the worship of [[Ymros]], in the Shattered Isles:
   > [!quote] 
   > Ymros, the Raven King, guardian of the veil and keeper of souls, presides where the boundaries between life and death blur. Among the scattered communities of the Shattered Isles, worship of Ymros was common, and a yearly festival was dedicated to this mysterious spirit. It is said that those seeking protection from restless dead would don black feathers and ceremonial garb, embodying the visage of the Raven King to ward off malevolent forces and claim his watchful favor.
 - Accompanying the text was a painting of a man cloaked in dark plumage, a beak-shaped mask cast over solemn eyes. On a sketch from a different angle you see the same stone-etched amulet strung around his neck. Beneath the images, a caption reads: 

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Sessions/Session 002.md

@@ -61,6 +61,6 @@ The party settled in and began acquainting themselves with the crew, which compr
 
 Magnus started feeling the effects of his thalassophobia. As he prepared to regurgitate his breakfast into the harbor, Crofton provided him with a potion to help with the sea sickness.
 
-In a discussion about the mission, Viago expressed skepticism that The Mariner could have been sunk by pirates. He recounted a battle he had fought against a [[Oscar Viago#Corsair de la Morte|pirate]] vessel, emphasizing that he did not see modern pirate gangs as a significant threat. Political tensions between [[House Aelerion]] and [[House Guissard]] were a concern for him however. Viago had no prior experience with the Shattered Isles, and he had never heard of [[Ymros, the Raven King]].
+In a discussion about the mission, Viago expressed skepticism that The Mariner could have been sunk by pirates. He recounted a battle he had fought against a [[Oscar Viago#Corsair de la Morte|pirate]] vessel, emphasizing that he did not see modern pirate gangs as a significant threat. Political tensions between [[House Aelerion]] and [[House Guissard]] were a concern for him however. Viago had no prior experience with the Shattered Isles, and he had never heard of [[Ymros]].
 
 When the party informed him of the bodies of the Mariner's crew that had washed ashore he spat into the sea, a gesture to ward off ill fortune and safeguard the Interceptor’s journey.

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Sessions/Session 004.md

@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ Back aboard The Interceptor, the party conferred with [[Oscar Viago]] and [[Elea
 
 The party ventured into the village proper. A small square was nestled between the trees bearing way for an assortment of shops, inn's and homes. Crofton buys a second dagger for himself.
 
-At the end of the square is located a building made of sturdy driftwood and dark stone encapsulating the Elder's Longhouse and the [[Temple of Three]]. Inside, three alcoves lined the back wall, each dedicated to a different spirit. 
+At the end of the square was located a building made of sturdy driftwood and dark stone encapsulating the Elder's Longhouse and the [[Temple of Three]]. Inside, three alcoves lined the back wall, each dedicated to a different spirit. 
 
-- [[Ymros, the Raven King|Ymros]]’ alcove was dark and solemn, lit only by the faint glow of silver lanterns. A carved raven’s skull rested upon a black stone pedestal, surrounded by offerings of feathers and small, carved figurines.
+- [[Ymros|Ymros]]’ alcove was dark and solemn, lit only by the faint glow of silver lanterns. A carved raven’s skull rested upon a black stone pedestal, surrounded by offerings of feathers and small, carved figurines.
 - [[Sedna]]’s alcove glimmered in the light of polished shells set into the wood. A shallow basin of water reflected the faint blue glow of a pearl that rested at its center. Small tokens of gratitude—fishbones, beads, and strands of seaweed—were scattered around its base.
 - [[Moran]]’s alcove felt alive, draped in moss and crowned with antlers. A living tree root twisted up from the floor, encircling a slab of amber embedded with an ancient insect. 
 

The Accursed Voyage of The Mariner's Fortune/Sessions/Session 005.md

@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
 ---
 type: session
-date: 2024-12-23
+date: 2024-12-31
 fc-category: Sessions
 summary:
 ---
 
-<< [[Session 003|Previous Session]] || [[Session 005|Next Session]] >>
+<< [[Session 004|Previous Session]] || [[Session 006|Next Session]] >>
 
 ## Session Summary
 
- > The party arrived in Caelmire on the 25th of Hoarfrost to investigate the Mariner's Fortune, which had mysteriously docked in the harbor. Initial inquiries revealed that the crew vanished under strange circumstances shortly after docking on the 12th. A search of the ship uncovered diaries documenting the captain's descent into madness and the shipment of Embersteel undisturbed.
  > 
- > The group later explored the village, speaking with elder Nannouk Innana and learning about failed communications with Varlaine.
 >  ^summary
 
 ---
@@ -24,77 +22,29 @@ summary:
 
 # Recap
 
-![[Session 003#^summary]]
+![[Session 004#^summary]]
 
 ---
 
 # Log
 
-## Caelmire
+## Temple of Three
 
-![[Caelmire (by Cyril Tahmassebi).jpg]]
+![[Temple of Three (by Patrick Jensen).jpg]]
 
-At six in the morning on the 25th of Hoarfrost, the party arrived in [[Caelmire]]. [[The Mariner's Fortune]] was docked in its harbor, seemingly deserted. A carrier pigeon named [[Olivièr]] was sent towards [[Varlaine]] with news of the Mariner’s location, and that the investigation would begin shortly. Instructions were left to send another envoy if no word was received from the party within three days.
+Continuing their conversation with [[Nannouk Innana]] in the [[Temple of Three]], the party inquired about the religious customs of [[Caelmire]]. Nannouk explained that the island’s balance is maintained by three gods: [[Ymros]], [[Sedna]], and [[Moran]]. Each inhabitant of Caelmire follows one of these deities, dividing the populace evenly among them. According to local myths and legends, should this balance ever be disrupted, the island will sink into the sea—a belief that has persisted for thousands of years.
 
-Crofton climbed into the crow's nest of [[The Interceptor]] and to survey the surroundings. Besides a few people starting their day, the village seemed calm and peaceful. No signs of life were seen aboard the Mariner. On the docks, a group of five people approached The Interceptor: a dockworker and four priests. [[Maxwell McKinlay]] was asked to join [[Magnus Brand]], [[Marie Beaumont]], and [[Crofton Dudley]] in exploring The Mariner's Fortune, since his knowledge of a ships condition could prove useful in determining the status of the ship and her crew.
+Nannouk recounted an event from forty years ago when this legend nearly came true. On the island’s western side, a [[Western Caelmire Settlement|settlement]] of scholars and alchemists mysteriously sank into the sea. Out of the original three hundred residents, fewer than one hundred survived. The settlement had been home to the [[Stormcallers]], a group of seers with unparalleled abilities concerning the winds and seas. Only three Stormcallers returned to the eastern settlement after the disaster, and all have remained silent about what transpired.
 
-Exiting The Interceptor the group was greeted by dockmaster [[Corvin]] and [[Elios|Father Elios]]. Magnus greeted the clerics with the customary Greeting of the Arisen. Corvin explains that the Mariner had docked in Caelmire late at night on the 12th of Hoarfrost. Captain [[James Davenport]] requested repairs for an unspecified "incident," though the ship appeared undamaged from the outside. Some crew members ventured into town for a bite to eat, but by morning the entire crew had vanished. When questioned about any unusual behavior from the crew, Corvin evaded the question.
+When the party asked who might have been keeping watch on the night of [[The Mariner's Fortune]]'s arrival, Nannouk directed them to [[Yuka]], a farmer, hunter, and trainer who resides at the village’s outskirts.
 
-Corvin and the town elder boarded the Mariner to investigate, but they found no one. Due to Caelmire neutrality position between the houses, meaning that they have an agreement with [[House Aelerion]], [[House Renaux]], and [[House Guissard]] to not interfere with any business of theirs, and in turn they will treat Caelmire as neutral ground, they could not force any locked doors on the Mariner, and thus were unable to continue any more than the top deck.. This agreement includes a clause that Caelmire is to help any of the house equally when it comes to emergency situation, like the Mariner requesting aid, while prohibiting them from asking any questions.
+Shifting the discussion to Caelmire's political landscape, Nannouk explained that the island is governed by a council of elders responsible for managing relationships with the three neighboring houses. However, the council has not made any significant decisions in quite some time. The most notable ruling in recent memory was the declaration of Oliebollen—a savory fried dough with raisins—as Caelmire's official snack.
 
-Father Elios, a cleric of [[Grand Cathedral of the Arisen]], mentioned that they had sent a letter to Varlaine on the 13th of Hoarfrost, twelve days ago. They assumed that that letter was the reason The Interceptor was here now., though that message had never reached Varlaine. Magnus feels uneasy in the presence of the clerics.
+Meanwhile, Magnus turned his attention to the statue of Ymros within the temple. As he studied it, an eerie familiarity washed over him, though it was tainted by an underlying malicious energy. This dark presence seemed restrained by the corvian energy emanating from the statue. Determined to deepen his connection, Magnus entered a trance, only to inadvertently link with the malevolent force instead. A figure approached him from the darkness, a spiral carved into its palm. The figure reached out to Magnus, while blood was pouring from the wound, creating dark tendrils of energy wherever it landed on the ground.
 
-Father Elios also recounted the plague that had afflicted the island late the previous year, likely brought by a sailor. Symptoms included stomach pains, vomiting, and dehydration, claiming five lives before a cure was distributed. Though a month had passed since the plague’s eradication, a lingering fatigue still hung over the island.
+Marie and Crofton looked on in horror as Magnus trembled as he was entranced in front of the statue. Other temple visitors began to notice his distress, so Marie and Crofton intervened. As they attempted to shake him from his trance, Magnus vomited onto the floor and collapsed. Marie and Crofton helped him outside to regain his consciousness. Once he had recovered, Magnus shared the vision with his companions.
 
-While Magnus and Marie conversed with Corvin and Father Elios, Crofton slipped away to the dockmaster's office. There, he discovered a log entry describing the arrival of the Mariner just like Corvin described, including the request for materials for hull repairs. He also found a note from [[Sithka|Doctor Sithka]] with a recipe for medicine for a to Crofton unknown disease. The medicine consisted of ginger root, elderberry, rose hip, and thyme.
+The party set off toward Yuka’s house at the village’s edge. As they passed through the forest, they searched for any tracks left by the crew of The Mariner’s Fortune. However, the recent snowfall had obscured all traces, leaving them with no clear path forward.
 
-When Crofton returned to the group they grabbed some fried fish for breakfast, and proceeded to investigate the Mariner.
+## Yuka's House
 
-## The Mariner's Fortune
-
-![[The Mariner (by Andy Walsh).jpg]]
-
-Boarding The Mariner's Fortune by way of the gangplank, Magnus is struck by another vision: the faint, mournful cry of a raven, and the sound of wings beating against the wind. He smelled woodsmoke and ash, and the distinct iron tang of blood. The silhouette of a person came into form, their appearance obscured. A knife is held in one hand, while the other drips with blood onto a beach of white sand. Wherever the blood falls, dark tendrils spread like creeping vines, reaching ever closer and closer. The form reached their bloodied hand out to Magnus and all at once the dark tendrils rushed forward. Just as they are about to touch him, he was encased in the dark wings of a giant raven, and the vision faded. Magnus shares this with the group.
-
-The Mariner's deck was pristine, and Maxwell confirmed the ship has been left in immaculate condition. The entrances continuing to the Captain's Quarters and to the lower decks were both locked. Crofton masterfully lockpicked the Captain's Quarters.
-
-### Captain's Quarters
-
-The quarters were lavish and neatly organized. Davenport's captain hat was still here, as was a key to the lower decks of the ship. An open logbook documented the Mariner’s journey until the 8th of Hoarfrost, noting daily wind, speed, and weather conditions. Nearby, the [[Diary of James Davenport]] detailed a sinister descent into madness, beginning on the 8th of Hoarfrost and culminating in complete mental collapse by the 11th. The diary concluded with several pages of unsettling calm.
-
-At the helm, the ship's wheel was locked in place, a standard practice when docking according to Maxwell.
-
-### Kitchen & Crew Quarters
-
-Entering the belly of the ship the party first entered the kitchen. It had also been recently cleaned, but the fresh food had been eaten at by rats. The crew quarters were investigated next, providing the same insights. Diaries found in the personal affects of some of the sailors followed the same pattern as Davenport's diary.
-
-### Cargo hold
-
-The cargo hold appeared untouched. No cannonballs were missing, suggesting the Mariner had not engaged in combat. Magnus and Marie searched the crates for the stowed [[Embersteel]] while Crofton and Maxwell examined the ship for damage. After 45 minutes, the group located enough Embersteel to outfit a platoon of 25-30 soldiers. The hold included:
-
-- Armor (grieves, gauntlets)
-- Scimitars
-- Greatswords
-- Arrows tipped with Embersteel
-
-Crofton and Maxwell’s inspection revealed no structural damage to the Mariner. Maxwell returned to The Interceptor while Crofton went down to the cargo hold to help Magnus and Marie. They returned all Embersteel to its original place, while Magnus made sure to remember which crates had Embersteel and which did not. 
-
-Back aboard The Interceptor, the party conferred with [[Oscar Viago]] and [[Eleanor Darrow]]. Details of the Embersteel were kept confidential, and a small rotating detail was assigned to guard the Mariner.
-
-## Longhouse
-
-![[Caelmire Settlement (by Patrick Jensen).jpg]]
-
-The party ventured into the village proper. A small square was nestled between the trees bearing way for an assortment of shops, inn's and homes. Crofton buys a second dagger for himself.
-
-At the end of the square is located a building made of sturdy driftwood and dark stone encapsulating the Elder's Longhouse and the [[Temple of Three]]. Inside, three alcoves lined the back wall, each dedicated to a different spirit. 
-
-- [[Ymros, the Raven King|Ymros]]’ alcove was dark and solemn, lit only by the faint glow of silver lanterns. A carved raven’s skull rested upon a black stone pedestal, surrounded by offerings of feathers and small, carved figurines.
-- [[Sedna]]’s alcove glimmered in the light of polished shells set into the wood. A shallow basin of water reflected the faint blue glow of a pearl that rested at its center. Small tokens of gratitude—fishbones, beads, and strands of seaweed—were scattered around its base.
-- [[Moran]]’s alcove felt alive, draped in moss and crowned with antlers. A living tree root twisted up from the floor, encircling a slab of amber embedded with an ancient insect. 
-
-At the temple's center stood a circular stone altar adorned with carved depictions of ravens, waves, and entwined branches.
-
-The village elder, [[Nannouk Innana]], greeted the party. She explained that on the 12th of Hoarfrost she was performing an offering on the beach when the Mariner docked in the harbor. Their arrival was unexpected since most visitations of ships this size should be announced in advance.  She met Davenport as he disembarked, and got an uneasy feeling from his and his crew's demeanor. 
-
-Messages from Varlaine sent on the 20th of Hoarfrost inquiring about the Mariner’s whereabouts never reached Caelmire. Similarly, messages from Caelmire sent on the 13th to Varlaine also went undelivered.