Table of Contents

TableofContents
Introduction
DramaSystem
Gettingthegangtogether
CharacterandSettingCreation
Thecharacters
Themaincast
Elron
Alec
Xathra
Stefan
TheNightstalker
TheNPCs
ThefinalbattleofthecityofDrakenfel
Episode1:Farewell
Episode2:Winnerswritethehistorybooks
Episode3:Devilspact
Episode4:Justice
PlanningSeason2
Thecity
Themaincast
TheNPCs
Originally published at
http://www.thecoreworlds.net/blog/cate
gory/rpg/dramasystem/heroes-of-the-city/
Introduction
IranacampaignoftheHeroesoftheCityseriespitchforDramaSystemthissummer.Everyone
involvedenjoyedit(orliedtome)anditseemedlikegoodfodderforasetofsessionreports,
whichImgoingtobepostingoverthenextcoupleofweeks.
Firstthough,Imgoingtotalkabouthowweendedupplayingthecampaign.
DramaSystem
Acoupleofyearsago,Hillfolk(http://rpggeek.com/rpg/20269/dramasystem)poppedupon
Kickstarter
(https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robindlaws/hillfolkdramasystemroleplayingbyrobindla
ws)andpromisedtohavemanyofthethingsIlikeaboutFiascosuchaslimitedrandomness,
beinghighlydrivenbywhattheplayerswantedtodoandhavinglotsofinteractionbetween
players(withNPCstakingabackseat).ItthenthrewincampaignplayandIwashooked.Ifthat
hadntbeenenoughforme,thenhavingthenameRobinD.Lawsattachedtoitwouldhavebeen
thekicker.
Hillfolkisthedefaultsettingforthegame(inwhichthecharactersarebronzeagevillagers)but
thesystem(DramaSystem)is,likeFiasco,generic.
Sinceitsrelease,IvehadthepleasureoftakingpartintwogamesofitrunbyDavidScott
(http://rpggeek.com/rpgproducer/71609/davidscottii)oftheTuesdayKnights.Thefirstusedthe
coresettingofHillfolk,thesecondwashishomebrewseriespitchofSpace:2019(akaNot
Space:1999(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WZW4groJro),honestgov).Bothwerevery
successfulandIdbeenlookingforwardtoplayingsomemore.
TheKickstarterwaspopularenoughtogenerateaverylargecollectionofseriespitches,which
aresettingsforthegamethatruntoabouthalfadozenpageseach(thisisplenty).Therewere
somanythattheyhadtosplitthegameacrosstwobookstofitthemallin.
ThesecondbookisBloodontheSnowand,sincereadingit,IvebeenwantingtoplayHeroesof
theCity.Itisaseriespitchwhichtakesatypicalfantasyadventuringpartyandasksthequestion
Whatdotheydowiththecityoncetheeviloverlordisdead?.(Usuallytheansweris
SquabbleamongstthemselveswhiletheGMcacklesinglee).
Asidefromthesetuplookinglikealotoffun,IvelearnedfromplayingFiascothatgamesofthis
natureworkbetterwhentheplayersknowthetropesofthegenre(andFantasyisagenrethat
mostroleplayersknowverywellindeed).
Justtocementtheissue,itiswrittenbyGarethHanrahanandIveneverreadorplayedanything
ofhisIdidntlike.(Hey,publishers,keeppayingthismantowritethings!)
http://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/13834/garethhanrahan
Ifyouwanttogetholdofthesystem,youcanpickuptheSRDforfreefromRobinD.Laws
website(http://robindlaws.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/dramasystemsrdnowavailable.html)or
pickupthefullgamefromPelgranePress(http://www.pelgranepress.com/?cat=222).
Getting the gang together
Onceortwiceayear,Igettogetherwithabiggroupoffriendsandwerentaholidayhomefora
week,catchuponnews,eat,drink,playgamesandsometimesevengooutanddotouristy
things.SomeofuslikeFiascoratheralotandwehavebeenknowntogetthroughhalfadozen
gamesofitattheseevents.
OneofthosefriendsTomhadalsopickedupacopyofHillfolkatthelastDragonmeet
(http://www.dragonmeet.co.uk/)andkepttalkingaboutwantingtoplayit.Therewasonlyone
thingtodo!Ilostd6SANandaskedifanyonefanciedtryingtosqueezeafivesessioncampaign
intoasingleweek.ThenIhadtostartawaitinglistafterthegamefilledupandpeoplestill
wantedtojoinin.
Intheend,myplayerswereTom,Sarah,Darren,SeanandNick.Iveheardthatitworkswell
evenwithmoreplayers,butIwasntreadytotrytoherdthatmanycatsonmyfirstoutingGMing
it.
Thetroublewithgoingonholidayforaweekwith27othergamers(wehavereachedthepoint
wherewetendtorentavenuethatusuallycaterstoweddings)isthattherearemanygames
thatpeoplewanttoplaygoingonatmanydifferenttimessoschedulingthingswithspecific
peoplebecomesdifficult.Isolvedthisproblembyforcingmyplayerstogetupandreadyto
gamebytheungodlyhourof10ameverymorningsowecouldplaybeforepeoplegothooked
intootherlonggames.
Thesessionsweplayedwere:
SaturdayCharacterCreationandFarewell
SundayFarewellPart
MondayWinnersWritetheHistoryBooks
WednesdayDevilsPact
ThursdayJustice
TherewasnoonTuesdaygameasall28ofusgotoutofthehouseforlunchatanicelittlepub.
Thenextpostwillcovercharacterandsettingcreation.
Character and Setting Creation
The characters
The main cast
Elron,PrinceoftheElves(Tom)
AlecAlejandroVictorvonRose,ApprenticeoftheArchmageandapowerfulsorcererin
hisownright(Darren)
Xathra,WarriorPrincess(Sarah)
Stefan,MercenaryCaptain(Sean)
TheNightstalker,MasterAssassin(Nick)
CharactercreationinDramaSystemislargelyaboutdeterminingwhatdrivesthecharacter(their
polespulltheminoppositedirections)andhowtheyrelatetotheotherplayercharacters.
TheHeroesoftheCityseriespitchthrowsinanextraquestionaboutwhereinthecitythe
characterresides,whichfactionofthearmiesthatbandedtogethertotakethecityfromthe
Archmagetheylead,andwhattheirfollowersdealwithonadailybasis.Thisgetssomemore
settingdevelopmentdoneupfront.
Asummaryoftheresultsofcharactercreationfollows.
Elron
Mystoryisthatofanelfwhoyearnstoregainhispeoplesrightfulplaceintheworld.Mypoles
areSecurityandRisk.Mybaseisinthetower,surroundedbymyelveswhokeeptherabbleout
oftheheartofthecity.
XathraismysparringpartnerandIwanthertoadmitIamthebetterwarrior(butshethinksshe
is).
AlecsavedmefromtheArchmageduringthefinalbattleandIwanthimtoteachmemagic(but
hethinksthepowershouldnotbespread).
StefanisamercenarytowhomIowemoney,andwhowantsatitlefromme(thatIdontthink
mercenariesdeserve).
TheNightstalkerisanassassinIhavehiredinthepastandIwanthimtokillStefan(buthehas
toomuchrespectforhisformermentor).
Alec
Mystoryisthatofamantornbetweennatureandnurture.MypolesareRedemptionand
Control.Mybaseisinmyspire,attachedtothetower,wheremyensorceledslaves(created
fromtheworstcriminalsfromtheprison)defendusfromthecreaturesthatregularlyemerge
fromtheportalinsideitthatIcannotclose.
ElronistheelfwhoslifeIsaved.
XathraistheoneIlovefromafar(butsheonlywantsmyhelp).
TheNightstalkerismytwinbrotherwhoIwishtopunishmeformytreatmentofhim(buthe
loveshisbrothertoomuchtodothat).
StefanismypatientwhoIwishtotrainmeasawarriorthatImightwintherespectandloveof
Xathra(butheisherfatheranddoesnotwanthertobewithsomeonelikeme).
Xathra
Mystoryisthatofawomanboundbyhonourtobethebest.MypolesareHonourandLove.I
campwithmypeopleintheforestaroundtheriver.
TheNightstalkeristheassassinwhokilledmyfather(althoughIdonotyetknowit).Iwanthimto
helpmetofindthemurderer(butheisthemurderer).
AleclovesmebutIonlywanthimtousehismagictofindmyfatherskiller.
Stefanismyrealfather,althoughIdonotyetknowit.
ElronismysparringpartnerwhoIwanttoadmitthatIamthebetterwarrior.
Stefan
Mystoryisthatofalowbornwarriorseekingtorisetothenobility.MypolesareHonourand
Expediency.MymenandIhavetakenovertheslumswherewemaintainorder.
TheNightstalkerismyonetimestudent.
AlecistreatingthecursethattheArchmageinflicteduponmeduringthefinalbattle.
Elronisindebttome,Iwanthimtogivemeatitle.
XathraismychildandIwanthertoacknowledgemeashertruefather.
The Nightstalker
Mystoryisthatofamanwhowouldbeknownforhisheroismnothispast.Mypolesare
AcceptanceandNotoriety.Iandmyassassinshideinthecatacombsbeneaththecityfrom
whereweemergetobattlethetwistedcreaturesthatdwellinthesewers.
StefanwasmymentorwhoIwishtounderstandandacceptmynewpathinlife.
Alecismytwinbrother.
XathraisthedaughterofamanIkilled,Iwanthertounderstandmyreasons.
Elronismysometimeemployer.
ThecharacterstartedoutlifeassimplyNightstalker,butthiswasquicklylengthenedtoThe
Nightstalker,modifiedtoNightstalker,theandthenfrequentlyreferencedasNightstalker
hashtagthe.
The NPCs
NPCsarecreatedbytheplayersandtheGMondemand,somostofthesecharactersdidnot
existuntilpartwaythroughthegame.Balthazar,forexample,didntexistuntilepisode3.Itis
convenienttolistthemherethough.
Oriene,TheDwarfKing
Balor,TheDwarfPrince
Sarissa,ApprenticeoftheArchmage
Odson,vonRosesGoblinassistant
Ataria,MothertoXathra
Pira,Elvenhealer
Dirk,Firebrand
Toralas,ElvenGuardCaptain
Balthazar,Devil
Raphael,Devil
WealsohadanNPCcalledMatterawhowasoneofthebarbarians,butshedidntdoanythingof
significanceandherpresencemadesomeofthenarrativeconfusing,soIcutherfromit.
The final battle of the city of Drakenfel
Thissectioncontainsafewfactsgleanedaboutthecitywhilewefiguredoutalittledetailtobuild
thecampaignaround.
ThecitywasconqueredbytheArchmageapproximatelyacenturyandahalfagoandwasfreed
veryrecentlybytheallianceledbytheelves.
VictorywasbroughtthankstoAlecgivingordersthatopenedupwaysfortheheroestosneak
intothecitywhiletheunifiedarmyoutsidethewallslaunchinganattackonthewallstocausea
distraction.
ItendedinaclimacticfightduringwhichTheNightstalkerstruckthefinalblowagainstthe
ArchmageandAlecsavedthelifeoftheElfPrince.
Sarissa,anotheroftheArchmagesapprenticesescapedthecityandisatlargewhileHellfire,
thedragon,changedsidesandpurportstobewillingtoworkwiththeHeroes.
Episode 1: Farewell
IntheinnwheretheOriene,KingoftheDwarfs,hasmadehisbaseofoperations,Elronis
visitingthekinginhisbedchamber.Heispleasedtolearnthat,assoonasOrienefinishesdying
fromthepoisonhereceivedduringthefinalbattle,hissonwilltaketheDwarfsawayfromthecity
(removingachallengerforpowerfromthefieldofpoliticalbattle).
Meanwhile,inAlecsspire,themageexplainstoStefanthathistreatmentisonlyadelaying
actionandthatitwilltakealotofworkhardtofindarealcure.Alecremindshimofthedebthe
nowowes.
OriencallsXathratheonlytrulyhonourableoneamongtheheroestohimandasksherto
lookintheforestsbeyondthecityforhisson,whohasgoneseekingSarissa.Sheagrees.
StefanseeksoutElroninthethroneroomanddemandspayment.Whenthisisrejectedhe
suggestsatitleinlieuofofit.ElronsuggestsChiefofPolice,whichStefanfindsinsultingand
rejects.HethentriestranslatingthetitleitintoElvishbut(afterwinningaprocedural)Stefanisnot
fooled.Themercenarydemandsadukedomandtherighttocontroltaxation.Elronagreesto
makearrangements.
XathrafindsStefanasheisleavingthetowerandasksforhishelptrackingtheDwarfPrince.He
agreesbuttheyareinterruptedbyamaskedfiguretheyrecogniseasTheNightstalker.Heoffers
hishelpbutisrejected,asXathradoesnottrusthimorhismethods.
TheNightstalkerfollowsXathra,Stefanandtheirmenthroughthewoodsand(afteranepiclyand
improbablybadseriesofcarddraws)crashesthroughthebranchesandthudstotheground.
Hereweendedthefirstsession.Itwasquiteshortaswehadcharactergenerationtodofirst.We
pickedupthenextdayatthepointwhereweleftoff.
Havingheardthenoise,XathraandStefanattempttocapturewhomeverwasfollowingthembut
heescapesbeforetheycanidentifyhim.
StefanandXathrafindPrinceBalortrussedupinspidersilkhangingfromtheroomofacave.
Xathrasendsascoutintoinvestigatebutheemergessoonafterscreamingandcoveredin
hundredsoftinyspiders,heisclearlydoomed.AfterXathraexecutesthecoward,shethrustsa
burningtorchtowardsthespidersanddiscoversthatthetheyarenotfondoffire.SheandStefan
setthewebsonfireandenterthecavetosavethePrince,hopingthatthespidersandthefire
dontgetthemorhimfirst.Itisatoughchallengeanditisonlysuccessfulthankstothe
interferenceofTheNightstalker,whohadcircledbackafterevadingpursuit.
Stefan,XathraandthewarriorstakeBalorbacktothecity,buttheNightstalkerhangsback.He
hadspottedSarissalurkingintheforestanddecidedtochallengeher.Sheclaimsthatshe
intendedtohelpBalorbuttheothersrescuedhimbeforeshecouldinterfere.TheNightstalker
demandsherknowledgeofpoisontosavetheDwarfKingandsheagrees,solongashecan
gethersafelyintothecity.Thereissomeallusiontopriorintimacybetweenthem.
Elron(jumpingthequeuewithabennie)emergesfromtheforest(whichappearstobesimplyfull
oflurkingspiestoday)andasksTheNightstalkertoassassinateStefan,usingthethreatof
revealinghisdealingswithSerissatotrytoblackmailhim.Hepromisestoconsiderit.
OdsontheGoblinbringsadeadensorceledwarriortotheattentionofAlec.Somethingcaused
himtodropdeadwhilehewasguardingtheunstableportalthatfillstheupperlevelofthespire.
Themageisdispleasedwiththenewsandwiththegoblin.
AlecgoestoOrieneandpromisestofindacureforhim.Thedwarf,distrustingthemage,
acceptsonlygrudgingly.XathraandStefanannouncethatBalorissafeandisrecovering,but
stillunconscious,inthenextroom.(NotleastbecausetherulesforbidputtingtheGMina
positionwherehehastohaveaconversationwithhimselftheyallowonlyonespeakingNPC
perscene).
XathraseeksthehelpofAlectofindthekillerofherfather,heagreesbut,inordertodivert
attentionfromhisbrother,alsobroughtupthesubjectofthepersonwhopaidforthe
assassinationandsaidhewouldfindhimtoo.
StefanseeksouttheNightstalkerandsoundshimoutonhisbrotherandStefanspoison.The
NightstalkertellshimhebelievesthatAleccouldcureiteasily(implyingthatStefanisbeingled
on).
TheNightstalkerandSarissavisitthebedchamberofOrienewhilehesleeps.Shewavesher
handsabovetheDwarfandsomesomekindofpurplemist,possiblyapotion,possiblyaspell,
possiblyacombinationofthetwoappearsabovehimandhesinksintodeepersleep.Asshe
beginstoexaminehim,theyareinterruptedbyElron.Theelfbeginstothreatenthem,but
Sarissacastssomeofthepurplemistathimandhefallsunconscious.Shefinishesher
examinationofthedwarfandTheNightstalkertakesElronaway.
Elronwakesupinhisownbedinthetowertofindaveryshort,rosescentedgoblinOdson
watchinghim.KnowingwhattheelfdesiredfromAlec,OdsonofferstoteachElronmagicin
exchangeforprotection(Imnotsurewhathefearsheformermasterswrathforthemost
leavinghisserviceorstealinghissupplyofbathoils)andhisownlab.Afterseeinga
demonstrationofthegoblinsownmagicalskill,theelfagrees.
ElronshowsOdsonhisnewlabandaskshimtodosomethingtoweakenStefan.Thegoblin,
beingasneakykindoffellow(andonecontrolledbyaGMwhoistryingtoencourageindirect
actionthatisbetterhandledwithdramatic,ratherthanprocedural,scenes),suggestsspreading
aplagueamongsttheslumstoharmhismenandthushispowerbase.Elrontellshimtotake
careofitandheagreestostealsomethingusefulfromAlecssuppliesifthePrincecould
distractthemageforlongenough.
AlecapproachesElronforhelpinvestigatingthedeathofhiswarrior,andheagreestosenda
healertothespire.
XathraandElronmeetonthetraininggroundstosparandeachtriestoprovethemselvesthe
greaterswordsman.Xathrawinsthistimebutresortstoasneakyrabbitpunchtoachieve
victory.
Stefan,takingadvantageofthecrowdthatgatheredtowatchthefightchallengesElrontokeep
hisagreementandeitherpayuporawardhimthetitlehedesires.Elronuseslegaltrickeryto
delaythingswithStefandemandingthattheslumsbecleansedbeforethecontractcouldbe
consideredtobefulfilled.
TheNightstalkertriestoconvinceXathrathatassassinsareweaponsandarenotguiltyof
makingthedecisiontocommitmurderbutconfessesthatheonlyacceptscontractsthathe
feelsareworthysosherejectshisargument.
SarissaiswaitingforStefaninthewatchhouse.WithherlovertheArchmagedead,she
seeksanewpatronandseesStefanasagoodcandidate,oratleastonemoretrustworthythan
Elron.Sheisshockedbythecurseflowingthroughhimandcannotunderstandhowhebears
thepain.Sheflirtswithhimandofferstofreehimofthecurseinexchangeforhisprotection.
WhenheagreesshetellshimthatsheneedsacupofbloodfromtheArchmageslineandthat
hecangetitfromeitherofthevonRosetwins.
Bythisstageinthegame,itwasnosurprisetoanyplayerthatthebrothersweretwins(as
Nightstalkersformermentor,Stefanwasalreadyaware(althoughXathraandElronwerenot)but
thetwinsparentagewasabombshellIdroppedthatwentdownprettywellatthetable.Itopened
upalotofpossibilitiesandcastsanastytoneoverSarissasrelationshipwiththeArchmages
children.Sheisntanicecharacter.
Thatnight,theNightstalkersneaksSarissaintoOrieneschambersoncemoreandsheattempts
tocurehim.Hermagicinvolvesneedlesthatareembeddedinhisfleshbutherworkis
interruptedbyAlec.Hearguesthathiscureisthebetteroneandshe,reluctantlywhiledeclaring
herfearthatevenifhistechniqueworksthesideeffectswillbehorrible,agreestohelphim.He
failsandtheKingpassestothenextlifeasthecreditsroll.
Episode 2: Winners write the history books
Episode2opensinOdsonslabwiththegoblinsupplyingElronwithabronzecontainerofa
disturbingdesign(whichinvolvedtentacles)containingadeadlyplaguethatcouldspreadquickly
throughtheslums.NowallthePrincehastodoistohaveitdeliveredsothatitcanworkitsway
throughthemercenaryranks.
Outside,onthebattlements,XathraovercomesherdistasteoftheassassintoaskThe
Nightstalkertohelpherfindthemanwhokilledherfather.He,despiteknowingtheanswers
already,tellsherthathewilllookintoitandtheidentityofthepersonwhoorderedthedeed.
TheNightstalkervisitsStefaninthewatchhousethatheisusingasacommandpostandasks
forhissupportwhenhetellsXathrathetruth.Theydiscusswhatreallyhappenedallthoseyears
ago,whenXathrasfatherdiscoveredhiswife,Ataria,wascarryingthechildofanothermanand
sworetomakeherandthechilddepartthisworldoncehehadcleansedhimselfwithprayerand
meditationandhowAtariahiredanoutsidertosaveherchildandkeephersecret.Stefanwas
shockedbutkepthisidentityasthefather(andlover)secretwhileagreeingtosupporthisformer
protege.
BalorstrodeintothethroneroomanddemandedthatLordElronfulfilhisdutyashostand
eulogizeKingOrienebeforehisfuneralprocessiondepartedthecitythenextday.Despitethe
insult,heeagerlyagreessoastoseethedwarfsgone.BalorthenaskedthePrincess,whomhis
fatherhadpraised,toleadtheprocessiontothecitygatesandsheagrees.
Inordertocompletethecontract(seetheendofthepreviousepisode),Stefan,TheNightstalker
andXathramadetheirwaythroughthesewersintotheheartoftheterritorythatwasntfirmly
underthecontroloftheHeroes.TheretheyconfrontedDirk,theFirebrand,whoaccusedStefan
(midduel)ofbeingasbadastheArchmageandthecauseofthepeoplessuffering.Theplayers
wereexpectingaproceduralscene,butthisspunitonitsheadanditbecamedramatic.Stefan
challengedDirktoworkwithhim,andheagreed.
AlectalkstoElronabouthisdeadwarriorandthePrinceintroducesPira,thechiefhealerofthe
elves,tothemage.Whiletheyobserve,Piraexaminesthedeadwarrioranddiscoversthat
energiesfromtheunstableedgesoftheportalatthetopofAlecsspirehavestartedtoconsume
hisflesh.Everybodynearbywillstarttosuffersimilareffectsoverthecourseofthenextfew
weeks.Eventuallytheportalenergieswilldothesametomoredurablematerialsincludingthe
toweritself.Theyalsolearnthattheportalisgrowingandanyonewithinfiveorsixfloorsofitisin
danger.Elronrespondsbyorderingthenearbylevelsevacuated.
ElronasksPiratospreadtheplagueamongstthemercenariesclaimingitisacureforvarious
diseasesthatinfesttheslumsandsayingthattheydonotaffectthelocalswhodevelopedan
immunitygrowingupwiththem.Sheaskshowhegotthiscureandproposesthatitscreator
shouldbetheonetotakecreditforit.Hetellsherthatbecauseitcomesfromagoblin,the
peoplemightnottrustit.Pirasethicswontallowhertoadministeracurefromadubioussource
withoutunderstandingitbutofferstoexaminethecureandthendistributeit.Elrontriestoforce
herintoactionbyclaimingthattimeisoftheessence,butshetellshimthatshecannotdisobey
herprinciplesandheresolvestofindsomeothermeanstospreadit.
Thedistributionendeduphappeningoffcamera.Possiblythedetailswillcomeoutinafuture
episode.
Everyone,includingBalor,takespartinthefuneralprocessionscenebutlittleofconsequence
happens.Elrongivestheeulogywhichpraisesthedwarfshighlyontheassumptionthathecan
undothedamagehedoestohisownglorymoreeasilyoncetheyaregone.
Finally,TheNightstalker,StefanandXathraexchangetruthsandbladesonthetraininggrounds.
TheNightstalkerconfessestotheassassinationofXathrasfatherandtellsheritwasherown
motherwhoorderedit.Stefanconfessestobeingtheloverresponsibleforcausingtherift.
XathrafliesintoarageandattacksTheNightstalker.Overthecourseofthefight,hismaskis
rippedawayandhisidentityasAlecstwinisrevealed.Xathraisshockedbytherevelationbutit
doesntpreventherfromstabbinghim.Alecburstsontothescenethunderingwithmagicand
rageaccusingXathraofbetrayingherselfbyfightingforrageinsteadofhonour.Shefleesthe
sceneleavingherswordbehind,herfatherstaringafterher,andthetwinsclutchingeachother
intherain.
Episode 3: Devils pact
WithPirawatchingoverthemintheinfirmary,thetwinsAlecthemageandAndrosthe
Nightstalkerreconcile.
ElronchallengesStefanabouthimworkingwithDirkinsteadofexecutinghim.Stefaninforms
himthathewillendthetroubleintheslumsusingwhatevermethodsheseesfitandthatviolent
suppressionisntnecessary.
StefangoestoseePiraintheinfirmarytoaskforherhelpdealingwiththeplaguethatis
spreadingamongsthismen.SheexpressessurprisethatthePrincesgoblinmadecuredidnt
workandthenseesthatStefanknewnothingofsuchacure.Astheydiscussittheyrealisethat
theplaguedidntstartuntilaftertheElronhasaskedPiratodistributethecure.Ahorrible
conclusionisdrawn.
AndrosdiscussestheportalwithToralas,theelfCaptain.Helearnsthattheportalisunstable,
growingandthatcreaturesarecomingthroughit.
Balthazar,aliteralcreatureofshadow,findsAndros(themetaphoricalcreatureofshadow)inthe
corridors(howhegotpastToralasisntdiscussed)andrecogniseshim(incorrectly)astheone
whoopenedtheportal.Hetellstheassassinthattheportalthreatensboththeirrealmsand
demandsthathestabilisesit.Androsagrees,althoughhehasnoideahowhecoulddothat.
ElronseeksoutXathraintheforestandtellsherthatSarissahadbeenseeninthecityandthat
shewasaccompaniedbyAndros.Hecontinuestofuelherangertowardstheassasinbytelling
herthattheywereintheDwarfKingsbedchambersshortlybeforehedieddaysbeforehe
wasexpectedto.
AlecandAndrosentertheportalinthespireandmeetBalthazarinalabmuchlikeAlecsown
butmademostlyofwhitemarble.Balthazarisconfusedbytheconceptoftwins,failingto
understandthattwoindividualscouldsharesomuch(asfarashisstrangesensescould
detect).Alectransfershispowertotheshadowcreaturesothathecansealtheportalhimself,
thiscostshimdearlyandthebargainleaveshimwitharcanesymbolsburntintohishand.
WithAlecreturnedfromtheotherside,Elrononceagainaskshimtofortraininginmagic,and
getsagreement,butthePrincealsolearnsofthesacrificeofpowerandthereasonsforit.
StefanpersuadesAlecandPiratoworkonacurefortheplague.
AndrosgoestoseeSarissainthecatacombs.Whileherbackisturned,Androspullsouta
sword,stolenfromhisbrotherschambers,andstabsherwithit.Sheliesdyingontheflooras
heleaves.
Balthazarattemptstoclosetheportalbutfails,hisskillbeinginsufficientevenwithAlecspower.
TheportalbecomesevenmoreunstableandtheeffectscanbefeltinAlecslab.Inalastditch
attempttosavehisworld,BalthazarreversesthespellthatAlecusedearlierandreturnsthe
giftedpoweralongwithasmuchofhisownthathecan.WitnessedbyStefan,glowingrunes
coverAlecsfleshashecompletesthespellandstabilizestheportal.
XathrafindsSarissashiddenlabinthecatacombsandfollowsatrailofbloodheadingtowards
theslums.BeforelongshecomesacrossSarissa,clingingontolifeandslowlydraggingherself
towardsanexituptotheslums.Xathrainterrogatesherandlearnsherversionofwhatthe
sorceressandAndroswereupto,andwhathappenedonthenightOrienedied.Sheisalsotold
thatSarissawastryingtofindacureforStefanscurse,afactthatconvincesXathrato,
reluctantly,savethesorceresslife.
Episode3wasarelativelyshortone.IhadtoleaveearlytovisitasupermarketsoIcould
orchestrateroastdinnerfor28people.Thiswasalsoasuccess.
Episode 4: Justice
SarissawakesupinabackstreetalchemistswithXathrawatchingoverher.Xathramakes
threats,discoversthatSarissaneedsthebloodofavonRoseandthatthetwinsarethe
ArchmagessonsandtellsSarissanottoleave.Thesorceressagreesandpointsoutthatsheis
innoconditiontogoanywhere.
StefanandAlecmeetinthewatchhouseandStefantellshimaboutSarissaspromisedcurefor
thecurse.Alecoffershisbloodinexchangefortrainingwiththesword,somethinghehopeswill
helphimearntherespectofbothStefanandXathra.Stefanagrees.
XathratraversesthecatacombslookingforAndros,butfindsAlecinstead.Heconjuresaballof
lighttoguideherway.
Elrongoesthroughthe,nowstable,portalandmeetsRaphael,ashadowcreaturelookingforhis
clanmate(Balthazar).ElrontakestheopportunitytofeedRaphaelliesaboutheroeswho
murderedBalthazarandwhonowwanttodestroyhispeople.Elronseekspower,andRaphael
agreestogiveittohim.Hisknowledgeoftheotherrealmbeinglimited,Elronisexpecting
Raphaeltoprovidepowerintheformofmagic,butthecreatureisnosorcererandoffersa
divisionofwarriorswhoRaphaelwillleadpersonally.ThehandshakethatElronreceivesbrands
himlikeAlecandcauseshimtocommentthatgloveswillhavetobecomefashionablethis
season.
AndroscapturesOdsonanddragshimtothewatchhousewhereheconfessestospreadingthe
plague,blamesPrinceElronandcommentsthatleavingAlechasntimprovedhislotashe
desired.StefannowhasawitnessagainstElron.
PirareturnstothewatchhouseandpresentsStefanwiththecuretotheplague.Itseemstowork
onhim,butwilltakeacoupleofdaysbeforesuccessisconfirmedanditstillleavesStefanwith
theArchmagescursetodealwith.
Ontherampartsofthetower,XathraliestoAndros,tellinghimthatamonghertribe,avictim
mayforgiveadishonourinexchangeforabloodsacrifice.Havingdishonouredherselfinthis
way,shetellsAndrosthatshewillforgivehimforassassinatinghermotherifhemakessucha
sacrifice.Withthecupofhisbloodinhand,sheleavestotakeittoSarissa.
Inthethroneroom,AndrosaccusesElronofspreadingtheplague.Theelfdeniesitandthe
assassinaddsliartothelistofthePrincesshortcomings.
Inthetraininggrounds,tryingtoprovehimselftothefatherofthewomanheloves,Alectrains
withtheswordunderStefan.Hemanagestodefeattheoldermanandearnhisrespect.The
bloodhelostinthefighthadbeengatheringalittlewayoffthegroundand,gatheringitup,he
presentsaballofittoStefanknowingthatitcouldbeusedtoconstructacure.
XathraandSarissafindStefaninhisroomsinthewatchhouseandSarissacompletesthecure
tothecurseinfrontofthembyaddingadropofhisbloodtothepotion.Shethenannouncesthat
whomeverdrinksitwilltakeonthecurseandfreeStefanfromit.Thenewsisnottakenkindly
andXathraisreadytoforcehertodrinkitatswordpoint.Sheispersuadedthatthatwouldnotbe
honourableandtheyareleftwonderingiftheycanfindavolunteeroriftheycanbringthemselves
toforcesomeoneelsetodrink.
ElronleadsRaphaelandhisdivisionthroughtheportalintoAlecslabwherethetwinsare.
RaphaelisshockedtosenseBalthazarssoulinsideAlecandaccusesthemageofimprisoning
it.HehasnopatienceforAlecsexplanationsanddemandsthattheyfreeBalthazarimmediately.
Withthethreatofthedivisionofcreaturesfromtheothersidereadytomarchintotheheartof
thetower,Androslooksintohisbrotherseyesandasksforforgiveness.Hepullsoutthesword,
cakedinthebloodofasorceress,takenbyalover,forabrotherandplungesitintohistwin,
dealinghimamortalblow.
TheglowingarcanerunesburstforthfromAlecsskinandRaphaelrecognisesthelanguage,at
leastpartially.Hecanonlytranslateoddwordsbutseemsawestruckbywhathereads.Xathra
arrivesandtriestosaveAlecbyreturninghisballoflighttohim.Thelightisabsorbedbutonly
seemstomakehimglowbrighter,perhapsevenacceleratingwhateverishappeningtohim.
Caughtintheglow,theshadowthatisRaphaelsformseemstoburnawayandhepullsaway.
Aleccollapsestothefloor,notbreathing,thelightfadesandBalthazarssoulfliesfree.Raphaels
shadowisgone,revealedbeneathisaglowingbeingoflight.
BalthazaraccusesElronoflyingtohimbutElronpointsoutthattheystillhaveanagreement,
onesealedwithabrand.Balthazarlooksunhappilyatthethepalmofhisownhand.Hereminds
Elronthatthetermsoftheagreementwerethathewouldprovidetheelfwiththepowertodeal
withtheheroesandsaysthathewillprovidethatopportunitynow.Heasksthethreesurviving
heroesiftheyhavehonour.StefanandXathraclaimtohavehonour,andXathradeclaresthat
Androshasitalso.Alecisinnopositiontomakeanysuchclaim.
Balthazarsaysthathewouldbewillingtositinjudgement,asaneutraloutsider,overthetwo
sides.IfElronsargumentsarefoundtobethestrongerthentheotherswillleavethecity,butif
notthentheelfmustsubmittotheirjustice.Theyallagree,Elronmorereluctantly.
Elronsargumentsforthesakeofhispeoplearegood,buttaintedbytheevidenceofhisdeeds.
XathraspeakseloquentlyfortheothersideandElronsubmitstotheirjustice.
TheyconsidermakingElrondrinkthepotionandtakeonthecurse,andseekRaphaelsapproval
fortheidea.Hetellsthemthathecanseejusticeinonewhospreadaplaguetakingona
diseasetofreeanotherofit,butinsiststhatitistheirdecision.Theymakehimdrink.
Alecsbodybeginstoglowoncemoreandhewakesup,transformedintoabeingoflight,much
likeRaphael.
Raphaelsaysthathispeoplecamefromthisrealmmanycenturiesagoandthattheyhadto
cloakthemselvesinshadowtosurviveintheirnewhome.Withhisshadowburnedawayhecan
nevergohome.Heasksifhemightstayandperhapsbuildunderstandingbetweenthetwo
peoples,sincetheportalisnowpermanentlyopenandstableandambassadorcouldbe
valuabletothecity.
Sufferingundertheeffectsofthecurse,Elronisbanishedfromthecity.Escortedbyoneofthe
elves,heentreatsthemtotakecareofhispeoplenowthathecannot.
Andrusreturnstothelabundercoverofnightandslipsthroughtheportal.
XathraoffersAlecakiss.
Planning Season 2
Attheendofthefifthsession,everyoneagreedthattheylikedthegameandwantedtocontinue
it.Hopefullywellbeabletopickitupnextyear!Therewill,however,beacoupleofchanges.
WithElronoutofthepicture,atleastasastarcharacter,TomhasagreedtopickuptheGM
reinsandletmepickupaPCtoplaywith.IbeenponderingpromotinganNPCorintroducinga
newcharacterwiththeirownsetoflinkstotheotherPCs.Sometimebetweenwritingmyfirst
draftofthesesessionreportsandnow,IvemadeadecisionbutIllkeepitundermyhatforthe
sakeofspoilers.
Inthemeantime,wecanhaveasummaryofwhereallthecharactersstandandthestatusofthe
worldtheyexistin.
The city
Season1focusedonElronsattemptstograsppowerandthedamagehewaswillingtodoto
achieveit.Withhisdeparture,apowervacuumhasformed.Thecityneedsaleaderandalotof
season2islikelytobeaboutdeterminingwhothatwillbe.
Wealsohavetheportaltodealwith,thebeingsontheothersideappeartobehonourablebut
quicktojudgeandoftenviolentintheirresponses.Diplomacycouldbeinteresting.
The main cast
AlecAlejandroVictorvonRosewillhavetocometotermswithwhateverchangeshave
happenedtohisbody,alongwiththechangeinhisrelationshipwithXathra.Asasonofthe
Archmage,heisapotentialcandidatefortherulershipofthecity.
Xathra,WarriorPrincesswillhavetofigureouthowtorelatetoStefannowshehasaccepted
herbloodrelationshiptohim,anddeterminewhatwillhappennextwithAlec.
Stefan,MercenaryCaptainiswidelyrespectedand,giventhatwordofhispossibleriseto
Dukedomwillhavespread,maybeacandidateforrulership.
TheNightstalker,MasterAssassinwaslastseenenteringtherealmontheothersideofthe
portal.Thereispotentialforalmostanythingtohappenthere.Ifhecomesback,thensomeone
mightthinkhisbloodlinewouldmakeitpossibleruler.
The NPCs
Oriene,TheDwarfKingisdead.Hopefullyhewontcomeback,zombiedwarfsarecreepy.
Balor,TheDwarfPrinceleft,butisstillDwarvennobility.Hemayreturn,perhapsasKing,
perhapsasAmbassador,perhapsseekingrevenge.
Sarissa,onetimeApprenticeoftheArchmageandlovertopracticallyanythingwithapulseand
alittlepower,will,nodoubt,continuetotrytocurryfavouratleastuntilitbecomes
advantageoustobetraysomeone.
Odson,vonRosesGoblinassistantfindsthatthemanhebetrayedhasriseninpowerandhis
newmasterhasleftindisgrace.
Ataria,despitebeinglistedintheopeningcredits,didnotappearinseason1.Herinfluencewas
feltonlythroughherpastactionsandhowothercharactersfeltabouther.Ifsheeverarrivesin
thecity,itwillcomplicatemattersforeverybody.Atariasbetrayaloftheprinciplesbywhichshe
raisedherdaughterhasshakenXathragreatly.Heronetimelover,Stefan,istheobjectof
Sarissasattention.Andruskilledforherinthepast,butdoingsohascausedhimstrife.Finally,
Aleclovesherdaughter.
Piraistheelfwhohashadthemostsignificantimpactonthestorywithoutleavingthecity.She
wantstohealbutmightbedrawnintopoliticswithElronleavingapowervacuumamongthe
elvesaswellasinthecityoverall.
DirkmadeadealwithStefaninseason1,butappearedlittleafterthatsincetherewasntmuch
dramainascenethatwouldhavegoneMypeoplearedyingandsoareyousoIguessyou
arelookingforacurethenOKbye.Withtheplagueresolved,itslikelythatinseason2he
willlikelybecomethevoiceofthepeopleandbeinvolvedinthequestionofleadership.
ToralaswasprobablykilledwhenBalthazarstalkedthecorridors.
BalthazarssoulhasdepartedbutsomefragmentofhimmayremaininAlec.
Raphaelhasbecomeabeingoflight,apparentlythenaturalformforhispeople,andonethat
cannotsurviveinhishomerealm.AsAmbassadorhewillbethevoiceoftheotherside,andhis
questionsaboutthenatureoffleshlifemaydrivethemaincharacterstoquestionthemselves.
Hellfirethedragondidntgetinvolvedinseason1.Itisabouttimeheshowedupandstarted
havingopinions.
ElronisapossibleNPCforSeason2,butgeneralconsensusisthatheshouldgoawayfora
seasonandmaybereappearinatheoreticalSeason3.