Session 09: Rose Stage Festival

The session begins with players experiencing technical difficulties, as someone mentions not having a camera or microphone initially, but these issues are quickly resolved.

Players discuss their recent level-up to level three, allowing them to select additional spells. The group discusses the mechanics of spell selection, particularly focusing on how many spells each character can prepare and cast.

Shannon is reminded to select two additional spells, which can be either level one or level two spells. The selection process involves navigating through a wide array of spells, and the group discusses various spell options and their potential utility.

There is a mention of Nylox Noble Form, snowball swarm, and enlarge/reduce as potential spell choices. Shannon shows interest in these spells, though expresses uncertainty about their usefulness.

Bill also participates in the spell selection process, considering spells such as booming blade, create bonfire, and fire bolt. The group discusses the mechanics and effects of these spells, with an emphasis on booming blade’s ability to add magical damage to attacks.

The group continues to review spells, with Bill confirming his selection of booming blade and fire bolt as cantrips. He also chooses Earth Tremor, Feather Fall, and Tasha’s Hideous Laughter as his first-level spells.

There is conversation about the effects and mechanics of various spells, including Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, which causes a target to fall down laughing uncontrollably.

The discussion shifts to a personal conversation about a character’s recent trip to San Francisco for a business development meeting. The meeting’s focus was on improving company efficiency and processes.

The session then returns to the game, with the DM confirming the spell choices for Bill’s character and explaining the special mechanics related to being a Strixhaven student, such as receiving the Shield spell for free.

The DM describes the advantages of the Shield spell, which can be cast in reaction to an attack to increase one’s armor class temporarily.

The narrative transitions back to the storyline, recounting the previous session’s events where the characters infiltrated Captain Dapplewind’s manor, retrieved the Sassy Sally Jane doll, and made a dramatic escape through the attic window.

The group’s reputation has increased due to their recent heroic deeds, and they were rewarded with lunch, enhancing their notoriety around the school.

The group is reminded of an upcoming exam on Ode Jugs, prompting a discussion about study habits and preparation methods. One character mentions forming a study group with fellow students to prepare.

The session begins with a focus on study preparation for an upcoming exam. The players are given options to roll using different skills such as Nature, Arcana, or Animal Handling to determine their study success.

Bob approaches his studies casually, reminiscent of his college days, by skimming through the book and focusing on the large print. He rolls for study success and is granted a re-roll for poor performance.

Ophelia humorously admits to being unprepared, likely to forget about the exam until the last moment.

The exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section requiring an Investigation check to identify an Ode Jug layer, and an essay requiring a Persuasion check on the use of Ode Jugs as guardians.

Both Bob and Luna are allowed to re-roll their Persuasion checks due to their study efforts.

Ophelia, despite minimal preparation, performs well, outperforming others.

As a result of their efforts, the players receive two student dice, which are bonuses they can apply to future rolls. These can be used to roll a D8 and add it to a result when needed.

After completing the exam, the players are given a long rest to restore hit points and spells.

The adventurers exit their class and encounter Rosie, a gnome who previously encouraged them to break into Dapplewind Manor. She informs them about the Rose Stage Festival on the Silverquill campus.

Rosie explains the festival to the adventurers, describing it as an improvised play organized by the drama guild, featuring various performances and comedic acts.

As the adventurers proceed to the festival, they hear chants, dramatic intonations, and baritone singing, which grow louder as they approach the lively scene.

The festival takes place at the Rose Stage, an outdoor amphitheater with a large stage, orchestra pit, and a building for storing scenery.

The stage is alive with students in flamboyant costumes acting out scenes. The performance is improvisational, with students entering and exiting the stage like a sports team.

Rosie invites the adventurers to participate, offering roles either on stage as actors or behind the scenes managing props. Alternatively, they can join the audience in kazoo accompaniment.

Bob chooses to participate as an actor. He approaches the acting area, where he meets Quintilius Antiphiun Melentor III, who is directing the performances.

Bob draws a character prompt from a hat and is assigned the role of a “Furious Ship Captain.” He is directed to the wardrobe area to find appropriate attire for his role.

Luna decides to help with props. She is directed by Mina, who oversees the prop area, to select a prop from a magical crate that produces unexpected items.

Luna observes another participant pulling a seemingly endless rainbow from the crate, highlighting the whimsical nature of the festival’s prop selection process.

The scene sets up a comedic and engaging atmosphere for the adventurers as they prepare to participate in the festival activities.

The session begins with a character interacting with a magical prop box, pulling out three distinct props: a lightning bolt, a bonfire, and a freezing snow/rain piece. These props are stylized and colorful, intended for stage performance.

A comedic performance unfolds on stage with a sea serpent costume, worn by a character, engaging in a debate with a wizard. The sea serpent wears a mortarboard cap and thick glasses, while the wizard is in tattered robes. The debate centers around the topic of transmutation, with humorous references to an archmage named Fizzle Bottom.

A student in a cat costume interrupts the performance, claiming to have been polymorphed and unable to revert back. The serpent character humorously refers to the situation as a “catastrophe,” and the scene continues with playful exchanges.

Bob and Luna are prompted by an NPC, Contillius, to join the performance with their props. Luna chooses to use the lightning bolt prop, which leads to an amusing overreaction from the cat-student, who pretends to be struck and falls over dramatically.

Bob makes his entrance onto the stage, pulling out his sword and adopting a pirate persona. A performance check is made to determine the success of Bob’s act, accompanied by some heckling and kazoo music from the audience, led by Krenn Smith.

Krenn takes charge of the kazoo chorus, demonstrating a keen sense of timing and musicality, despite the whimsical nature of the task. This leads to a mix of amusement and disheartenment from the audience towards Bob’s overacting.

As the performance continues, various students and props come and go, changing the scenes dynamically. The adventurers are asked to make perception checks to observe the unfolding events.

Krenn succeeds in noticing a change in a prop, identifying an owl bear that begins to animate, indicating a potential threat. The owl bear’s demeanor shifts from friendly to menacing, causing panic among the students as it starts moving towards them.

The adventurers are faced with a choice: to run away or to confront the animated owl bear. They decide to engage and prepare for combat, with initiative rolls determining the order of actions.

Luna is the first to act, using a spell to attack the owl bear, her strike confirming its real and dangerous nature. Luna’s spell allows her to continue attacking with a magical blade.

Ophelia attempts to reduce the size of the owl bear using magic, but the creature resists the spell. However, Ophelia gains a boost for her next spell, ensuring maximum damage potential.

Bob uses his Booming Blade spell, striking the owl bear with his great axe. The spell sets a magical trap, dealing additional damage if the owl bear moves.

Krenn casts Firebolt at the owl bear but only manages to inflict minimal damage, indicating the creature’s resilience.

The owl bear shifts its position to attack both Luna and Bob. As it moves, the Booming Blade spell activates, causing further damage to the creature.

Luna is bitten by the owl bear, taking significant damage, while Bob is clawed, also suffering injury. Despite this, the adventurers remain committed to the fight.

Luna decides to attack again with her magical blade, successfully hitting the owl bear. She considers flying up to avoid further attacks as the combat continues.

Ophelia’s Turn and Snowstorm Spell:

• During the combat encounter, Ophelia feels a surge of magical energy, preparing her for a powerful attack.
• She decides to cast a snowstorm spell, nearly maximizing her damage roll.
• The snowstorm engulfs the owl bear, creating a blizzard in a 10-foot area.
• The intense snowstorm obscures vision, but soon dissipates, revealing the owl bear has reverted to its inanimate wooden prop state.

Audience Reaction and Aftermath:

• The performance concludes with students cheering and playing kazoos, believing the event was a highlight of the festival.
• The owl bear prop remains motionless on stage as most students leave the seating area but stay nearby.

Arrival of the Professor:

• A professor, previously seen but not directly interacted with, arrives on stage after being fetched by students.
• She inquires about the incident, confirming the owl bear prop came to life and attacked.

Acknowledgment of Heroism:

• The student director praises the adventurers for their bravery in resolving the situation.
• The professor commends the party, particularly Bob, for their dual role in the festival performance and protecting students.

Reward for Bob:

• The professor, after consulting with another individual, awards Bob a cloak of protection for his bravery and effort.
• She humorously notes that while the cloak may not protect against an unhappy audience, it will be useful in future confrontations.

Inspection of Stage and Props:

• As twilight approaches, Cuntilius gathers students while the professor inspects the stage area.
• The adventurers contemplate exploring or investigating the mysterious events further.

Discovery of Black Goo:

• The party finds black goo on the back of the owl bear prop, similar to substances found in previous incidents.
• Upon investigation, the goo appears deliberately smeared rather than spilled, suggesting intentional placement.

Theorizing the Source and Purpose:

• The adventurers consider the possibility of the goo being a component in a timed or remotely activated spell.
• They discuss the potential for the goo’s origin, linking it to the Witherbloom campus and the Sedgemoor area.

Professor’s Explanation of Eldritch Balm:

• The professor identifies the black goo as possibly being an eldritch balm, a salve used for minor injuries.
• The balm is made from materials sourced in the Sedgemoor, a natural area associated with Witherbloom campus.

Speculation on the Balm’s Alteration:

• The professor suggests the balm’s corruption might have resulted from a student mistake, leading to its unintended magical properties.
• She expresses doubt that the corruption was deliberate, attributing it to a mishandling or mix-up involving students’ learning processes.

Plan to Consult Professor Raalda:

• The adventurers decide to seek out Professor Raalda, who oversees classes related to balms and salves, for further investigation.
• The session concludes with the intent to discuss the matter with Professor Raalda to uncover more about the balm’s corruption.

The adventurers have a conversation with Professor Raalda on the Witherbloom campus. She expresses skepticism about the corruption being caused by “dill the Brutely created” and mentions that such a class is not currently being held, as it is typically a once-a-year event.

Professor Raalda informs the group about a spring in the Suchmore area. The water from this spring is used to create a balm, and she suggests that the spring might have been corrupted. She admits that she hasn’t visited the spring in some time, implying it might be worth investigating.

There is a brief humorous exchange about magic mishaps, specifically referencing an incident where someone accidentally fireballed their eyebrows off.

The session comes to a close with the group having a lead on the source of the corruption, specifically linked to the spring in the Suchmore.

The players discuss their schedules, noting that they will not be playing the next week due to absences, but plan to resume the following weekend.

There is a casual conversation among the players, including greetings to Shannon and discussions about upcoming personal plans, such as swimming and birthday celebrations.

The session ends with farewells among the participants, indicating a break before the next game session.