Player Characters
Fillion Don Dillion, gentleman thief
Mange Dirt-Eater, halfling druid of the Prismatic Valley
Balentine Krupin, servant of Melchior
Conlay of Clacton, a literal murder hobo
Introductory Matter
Character Introductions - START HERE (01:31)
Context/backstory (04:26)
Setup the session (05:31)
City of Canalata - IMAGE (06:34)
How we will proceed (07:39)
Opening Scenes
Masked assailants - IMAGES (08:07)
Note: my technique here is really important to how I run a combat. I always go around the table once to poll what everyone is doing, and then resolve things in an order that makes sense. It allows you to better pace the scene, and gives everyone a good sense of what is happening on screen as they make their move.
Lugana Castafiel - IMAGE (22:09)
Opening questions (26:38)
Note: this is my earliest and best opportunity to allow the players to shape the story to come. The answers to these questions are super-important.
BREAK (29:01 - 34:11)
In the City
Answering the opening questions (34:11)
Masks & visions (39:52)
Fillion’s connections; eyes in the dark (46:00)
Note: I use Fillion’s 6- roll to push a Grim Portent (originally Grindleback the Goblin, but later I made this Lugana watching the party from a distance).
A sacrifice to Melchior (49:49)
Reshaping a mask (52:35)
The blessings of Reekeesik (55:51)
Note: This is a really sharp, imaginative use of Discern Realities.
Gathering Information
Filthy little bird (57:44)
“This is why they call me My Lord” (1:01:36)
BREAK and Flags discussion (1:03:43 - 1:07:43)
The Svelte Elk
Black Tankard? Dark Tankard? (1:07:43)
Someone creeping about (1:10:29)
Conlay makes his move (1:16:20)
Note: I really love this bit, particularly the discussion about the magic dagger. It’s a nice example of how the GM can, and should, give the players lots of control over the fiction.
Mange’s misunderstood intentions (1:20:01)
“Dedicate her to Melchior, fast!” (1:22:08)
Conlay explains himself (1:24:57)
Melchior solves all problems (1:28:07)
The Company of the Three Kings will take anyone, won’t they?(1:29:33)
Loot the body! (1:31:24)
“If there is no body, there is no murder” (1:34:05)
Note: This whole scene in the Svelte Elk is a little more drawn out than I would normally allow, but I really enjoyed watching these new characters feel each other out. It had a Reservoir Dogs vibe I enjoyed.
The Deep Tankard
Morning cups (1:40:54)
Maggot-y Guidance goodness (1:43:28)
Note: if you can, always go harder than what the player suggests. They'll love you for it.
Fillon’s Parley with the innkeeper (1:49:46)
The Black Nest
Describing the Black Nest (1:51:53)
Note: Going around the table and asking for sensory details from the players is my favorite technique to foster engagement and ownership.
BREAK (1:56:20 - 2:00:12)
Whispering rats (2:00:12)
Mhaug’s Hogs (2:02:21)
Note: this is my favorite scene from the whole session. It was super-fun to role play, and the players are really hitting their groove here.
Melchior explained (2:15:07)
Vhondryl the Alchemist (2:17:05)
Note: please see session notes for potion list. Also, this segment goes on for a bit. You aren’t missing much by skipping through some of it.
Session End
The approach to Lake Belgoro - IMAGE (2:35:10)
End of Session XP (2:38:47)
Note: the players were still clearly figuring out Flags by the end of the session. They made much more effective use of them in Part Two.
Fillion Don Dillion, gentleman thief
Mange Dirt-Eater, halfling druid of the Prismatic Valley
Balentine Krupin, servant of Melchior
Conlay of Clacton, a literal murder hobo
Introductory Matter
Character Introductions - START HERE (01:31)
Context/backstory (04:26)
Setup the session (05:31)
City of Canalata - IMAGE (06:34)
How we will proceed (07:39)
Opening Scenes
Masked assailants - IMAGES (08:07)
Note: my technique here is really important to how I run a combat. I always go around the table once to poll what everyone is doing, and then resolve things in an order that makes sense. It allows you to better pace the scene, and gives everyone a good sense of what is happening on screen as they make their move.
Lugana Castafiel - IMAGE (22:09)
Opening questions (26:38)
Note: this is my earliest and best opportunity to allow the players to shape the story to come. The answers to these questions are super-important.
BREAK (29:01 - 34:11)
In the City
Answering the opening questions (34:11)
Masks & visions (39:52)
Fillion’s connections; eyes in the dark (46:00)
Note: I use Fillion’s 6- roll to push a Grim Portent (originally Grindleback the Goblin, but later I made this Lugana watching the party from a distance).
A sacrifice to Melchior (49:49)
Reshaping a mask (52:35)
The blessings of Reekeesik (55:51)
Note: This is a really sharp, imaginative use of Discern Realities.
Gathering Information
Filthy little bird (57:44)
“This is why they call me My Lord” (1:01:36)
BREAK and Flags discussion (1:03:43 - 1:07:43)
The Svelte Elk
Black Tankard? Dark Tankard? (1:07:43)
Someone creeping about (1:10:29)
Conlay makes his move (1:16:20)
Note: I really love this bit, particularly the discussion about the magic dagger. It’s a nice example of how the GM can, and should, give the players lots of control over the fiction.
Mange’s misunderstood intentions (1:20:01)
“Dedicate her to Melchior, fast!” (1:22:08)
Conlay explains himself (1:24:57)
Melchior solves all problems (1:28:07)
The Company of the Three Kings will take anyone, won’t they?(1:29:33)
Loot the body! (1:31:24)
“If there is no body, there is no murder” (1:34:05)
Note: This whole scene in the Svelte Elk is a little more drawn out than I would normally allow, but I really enjoyed watching these new characters feel each other out. It had a Reservoir Dogs vibe I enjoyed.
The Deep Tankard
Morning cups (1:40:54)
Maggot-y Guidance goodness (1:43:28)
Note: if you can, always go harder than what the player suggests. They'll love you for it.
Fillon’s Parley with the innkeeper (1:49:46)
The Black Nest
Describing the Black Nest (1:51:53)
Note: Going around the table and asking for sensory details from the players is my favorite technique to foster engagement and ownership.
BREAK (1:56:20 - 2:00:12)
Whispering rats (2:00:12)
Mhaug’s Hogs (2:02:21)
Note: this is my favorite scene from the whole session. It was super-fun to role play, and the players are really hitting their groove here.
Melchior explained (2:15:07)
Vhondryl the Alchemist (2:17:05)
Note: please see session notes for potion list. Also, this segment goes on for a bit. You aren’t missing much by skipping through some of it.
Session End
The approach to Lake Belgoro - IMAGE (2:35:10)
End of Session XP (2:38:47)
Note: the players were still clearly figuring out Flags by the end of the session. They made much more effective use of them in Part Two.
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