The Bane Watchers Initiation

Summary

The party underwent the Bane Watchers initiation ritual led by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian, drinking dragon blood mixed with other substances that sent them into a shared prophetic dream. They witnessed visions of past events, including the original war against The Bane, the petrification of a massive purple dragonborn, glimpses of party members' backstories, and a mysterious figure on a storm-tossed ship. Upon waking, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian briefed them on the nature of The Bane - an ancient evil that corrupted and nearly destroyed the dwarves and elves before the dragons imprisoned it. Now that it's been released (thanks to the horn incident), the party has officially joined the Bane Watchers organization and can sense the Bane's presence, though currently only as an overwhelming jumble of voices and sensations.

Key Events

Bane Watchers Recruitment

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian arrived at the party's house to collect on his bet with Elik'r Stormswallow
• Offered all party members the chance to join the Bane Watchers (not just Elik'r Stormswallow)
• Warned that the initiation ritual could kill them ("small chance of success, massive chance of death")
• All party members agreed to join

The Initiation Ritual

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian poured a thick, dark brownish-red liquid (dragon blood mixed with other substances) from a small keg
• Constitution saving throws required:
  • Elik'r Stormswallow: Natural 20 (survived easily)
  • Elvva Beltavar: 19+1 = 20 (survived)
  • ToooAh: Used Minor Illusion to remove flavor, rolled 15 (survived with difficulty)
  • Ser Tessell Highfrost: 13 (struggled but survived)
  • Lady Odonia of Galantri: Took 5 damage, woke up 7 hours later
• All party members survived but were knocked unconscious for varying lengths of time
• ToooAh attempted to numb the taste with Minor Illusion (voice/flavor)

The Shared Dream Vision

All party members experienced the same prophetic dream, though they didn't initially know it was shared:

Vision 1 - The Original Party:

• Saw four figures the party recognized (two elves, one half-elf ranger, one human sailor)
• Scene jumped to show gargoyles with purple glowing eyes (similar to those they'd fought)

Vision 2 - The Purple Dragonborn:

• Witnessed a massive 12-foot purple dragonborn (non-standard color) fighting against dwarves and other races
• Scene showed him in a large cavern with bright light in the ceiling
• A woman's voice shouted a spell, encasing the dragonborn in stone
• The dragonborn was petrified/imprisoned

Vision 3 - Elvva Beltavar's Backstory:

• Showed a father and young daughter practicing spells and combat together in the underside of the city
• The young girl crying over her father's lifeless body during some kind of raid
• In the background, a black figure with a hammer (one of the Black Knights/Dark Knights) walked away

Vision 4 - The Dog's Perspective:

• Viewed from the eyes of Lady Odonia of Galantri's dog River (looking up at her, lower perspective)
• Dog sensed something in the woods between Belendar and the party's castle
• Multiple pairs of eyes watching from the bushes - very short creatures
• A gnome with a bandage over one eye stepped out: Barry (or Larry) - the gnome Lady Odonia of Galantri shot in the eye during an early tournament melee event
• The gnomes have not forgotten

Vision 5 - The Purple Dragonborn Statue:

• Returned to the petrified purple dragonborn
• The statue screamed: "RELEASE ME, RELEASE ME, Elik'r Stormswallow!"
• Directly named Elik'r Stormswallow

Vision 6 - The Ship:

• Young Avicia (identity unknown at the time) standing on palace balcony with an unrecognized man and High King Everglade (still alive at this point)
• Scene jumped to the same small figure on a boat during a storm with the man from the balcony
• Small child said: "They're going to catch us, I'm sorry"
• Figure cast some sort of spell/incantation
• Vision showed the pursuing ship being turned to stone/petrified
• Eyes shut, vision ended

Post-Dream Briefing

Party members woke at different times:

• Lady Odonia of Galantri: 4 hours later (first awake)
• Elvva Beltavar and Ser Tessell Highfrost: 6 hours later
• ToooAh: 7 hours later
• Elik'r Stormswallow: 20 hours later (needed the most rest)

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian provided critical information:

About The Bane:

• The Bane is evil itself - corrupts everything, sows chaos
• Has had many names across different races and times
• Was released when the horn was blown (party's fault)
• Originally overruled the dwarves, leading to war between dwarves and elves
• Both races were nearly wiped out (explains why Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian is the only goliath they've seen, and why dwarves are so rare)
• The dragons eventually bonded together to defeat and imprison The Bane

About the Bane Watchers:

• Organization's job: scour the world for signs of The Bane's return
• When found, they must deal with it
• Over time, as The Bane never returned, the organization dwindled
• Now only a few small bands remain
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian has two colleagues: one in Immortal Draconic Empire (south), one in Nolunia (north)
• They're investigating Bane presence in all three neighboring states

About the Dragon Blood:

• One of the dragon gods was killed in the last war against The Bane
• Bane Watchers have been drinking dragon blood mixed with other substances ever since
• Allows them to sense The Bane's presence
• Currently, party members can't discern specific locations - just an overwhelming jumble of voices and sensations (like Bruce Almighty hearing all prayers at once)
• Intense headache initially
• Ability will develop over time

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Investigation:

• Senses strong Bane presence in the city
• Investigating the war between Eagle and Falcon factions
• Doesn't trust Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade either
• Only person he trusts: Emperor Vladier Drakonhart (currently imprisoned)
• Both Lord Commander and Dragon Emperor no longer in tournament
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian is competing in tournament to force a contract with the kingdom for military alliance when The Bane returns fully

Personal Encounter with The Bane:

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian has seen The Bane himself on the underground roads (old dwarven highway network)

Looting Balthazar's Body

Party rolled d100 to determine what each member found on the wyvern Balthazar's corpse after Lady Odonia of Galantri delivered the killing blow:

Elik'r Stormswallow (rolled 10):

• Massive iridescent scale from an unknown sea beast

Lady Odonia of Galantri (rolled 32):

• Book with many names, most crossed out or scribbled over
• At bottom: Four names they recognized (their own party members' names, minus Elvva Beltavar)
• Ser Pas Rata's name included (former party member who left to go east), but NOT crossed out
• Also included: Mark (another former party member)

Ser Tessell Highfrost (rolled 35):

• Set of lockpicks with special property
• Cannot open locks
• Can permanently lock things that have no lock
• Once locked with these picks, the lock cannot be opened by any means

ToooAh (rolled 93):

• Small pocket-sized book titled "Tales of the Lost Princess"
• Author unrecognizable
• Book series (not just one book)
• ToooAh can practice reading with it

Elvva Beltavar (rolled complicated):

• Balthazar's personal diary revealing his darkest secrets
• Contains a death certificate - actually FOUR death certificates
• One for each current party member
• Dates not filled out (future deaths?)
• Fifth death certificate at back: Ser Pas Rata's own, dated roughly a month ago
• Revelation: Ser Pas Rata was killed shortly after leaving the party to go east
• He died within a week of departure
• Someone (or something) may have been involved in his death

City Status Update

During the week between tournament rounds:

Political Climate:

• Graffiti of falcons and eagles fighting appears throughout city
• Roses and dragons depicted
• Everyone talking about factions
• General population doesn't know who's actually in which faction
• Many believe the dragon empire attacked them
• Others saw it was an illusion and doubt everything

Rumors Spreading:

• Two knights (White Falcon and Eagle Knight) won't remove helmets - no one knows who they are
• Stories being made up about them
• Lady Odonia of Galantri most famous person in city (delivered killing blow to Balthazar the wyvern, led gate defense)
• Lady Odonia of Galantri's reputation growing rapidly

Week of Downtime

Party had 6 days until next tournament round:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost: Helped stonemasons from Ulvenora with reconstruction
• ToooAh: Can now read the book Balthazar dropped
• Party prepared for next tournament round

NPCs

Active This Session

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian:

• Arrived to collect on bet with Elik'r Stormswallow
• Led Bane Watchers initiation ritual
• Provided extensive lore dump about The Bane, dragon gods, and ancient history
• Trusts the party now
• Competing in tournament to secure military alliance
• Has two colleagues: one in Immortal Draconic Empire (south), one in Nolunia (north)
• Can sense The Bane's presence at all times
• Stayed at party's house, dozed off on couch
• Left for tavern and will return in a week for next tournament round
• Has personally seen The Bane in the underground dwarven roads

Mentioned/Revealed

Barry (or Larry):

• Gnome Lady Odonia of Galantri shot in the eye during early tournament melee event
• Seen in dream vision watching party from woods
• Wears bandage over one eye
• Has group of gnomes with him
• The gnomes have not forgotten
• Potential future threat

Ser Pas Rata:

• Former party member (played by Mark, who left the campaign)
• Left party to travel east
• Revealed to have died roughly a month ago
• Death occurred shortly after leaving party
• Death certificate found in Balthazar's diary
• Balthazar had been tracking him

Balthazar:

• Man who transformed into wyvern and attacked the city
• Killed by Lady Odonia of Galantri (made her city-famous)
• Kept detailed diary with dark secrets
• Had death certificates prepared for current party members (dates blank)
• Book with crossed-out names suggests he was tracking/hunting people
• Had tracked Ser Pas Rata and other former party members

Purple Dragonborn:

• Massive (12 feet tall)
• Purple scales (non-standard dragonborn color - homebrew)
• Fought against dwarves and other races in ancient war
• Petrified/imprisoned by woman's spell in large cavern
• Statue still exists somewhere
• Screamed "RELEASE ME" directly to Elik'r Stormswallow
• Major mystery/future plot thread

Unknown Small Figure (Child?):

• Seen in vision on palace balcony with High King Everglade and unknown man
• Later on boat during storm with same man
• Cast spell that turned pursuing ship to stone
• Identity unknown (child? dwarf? small person?)
• Connected to royal family somehow

High King Everglade:

• Seen alive in vision (past event)
• Standing with unknown small figure and unknown man on palace balcony
• Context suggests this was before his death

Locations

Active This Session

Party's House:

• Where initiation ritual took place
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian slept on couch here
• Party slept here after ritual

The City (Belendar):

• Covered in graffiti of eagles vs falcons
• Rumors spreading rapidly
• Political tensions high
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian senses strong Bane presence here
• Lady Odonia of Galantri most famous person in city (killed Balthazar the wyvern)

Mentioned/Revealed

The Underground Roads:

• Old dwarven highway network beneath the surface
• Where Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian personally saw The Bane
• Ancient infrastructure from when dwarves ruled

Large Cavern with Petrified Dragonborn:

• Has bright light in ceiling
• Contains the stone statue of the purple dragonborn
• Location unknown
• Elik'r Stormswallow specifically called to by the statue

Woods Between Belendar and Party's Castle:

• Where gnomes (including Barry/Larry) are hiding
• Watching the party
• Short creatures with many eyes visible in bushes
• Potential ambush location

Immortal Draconic Empire:

• Southern neighboring state
• One of Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's colleagues investigating Bane presence there
• Where Emperor Vladier Drakonhart is from (currently imprisoned)

Nolunia (Three Peoples in the North):

• Northern neighboring state
• One of Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's colleagues investigating Bane presence there

Storm-Tossed Sea:

• Location of ship vision
• Unknown small figure and companion fleeing from pursuing vessel
• Pursuing ship turned to stone by spell

Eastern Location:

• Where Ser Pas Rata went after leaving party
• Where he died roughly a month ago
• Unknown details of his death

Quests

New Quests

Hunt The Bane:

• Type: Main Quest (World-Ending Threat)
• Status: Active
• Quest File: Quests - Active#The Bane
• Objective: Find and stop The Bane
• Notes: Party now has ability to sense Bane presence (currently overwhelming/unfocused). Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian has two colleagues investigating in neighboring states. Strong presence detected in Belendar.

Investigate the Purple Dragonborn:

• Type: Mystery/Side Quest
• Status: Active
• Quest File: Quests - Mysteries#Find the Purple Dragonborn
• Objective: Find the petrified purple dragonborn statue
• Notes: Statue screamed "RELEASE ME" directly to Elik'r Stormswallow. Located in large cavern with bright ceiling light. Connected to ancient war against The Bane.

Deal with the Gnomes:

• Type: Threat/Side Quest
• Status: Active
• Quest File: Quests - On Hold#Deal with the Gnome Army
• Objective: Address Barry/Larry and his gnome group
• Notes: Gnomes watching party from woods. Barry/Larry (shot in eye by Lady Odonia of Galantri during early tournament melee) clearly hasn't forgotten. Potential ambush or revenge plot.

Uncover the Ship Mystery:

• Type: Mystery
• Status: Active
• Quest File: Quests - Mysteries#The Ship Pursuit Mystery
• Objective: Identify the small figure who petrified a ship
• Notes: Connected to High King Everglade (seen on palace balcony with figure). Small figure cast spell turning pursuing ship to stone. Identity unknown.

Updated Quests

Ser Pas Rata Investigation:

• Status: Major Development
• Quest File: Quests - On Hold#Investigate Pas Rata's Death
• Update: Ser Pas Rata (former party member who left to go east) died roughly a month ago. Found his death certificate in Balthazar's diary along with death certificates for current party members.
• New Leads: How did Ser Pas Rata die? Why did Balthazar have his death certificate? Why did Balthazar have death certificates prepared for current party?

Tournament Arc:

• Status: Ongoing
• Update: 6 days until next round. Lord Commander and Emperor Vladier Drakonhart no longer competing (imprisoned). Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian competing to secure military alliance contract.

Ongoing Quests

Eagle vs Falcon Faction War:

• Status: Escalating
• Quest File: Quests - Active#Eagle vs Falcon Civil War
• Update: Graffiti spreading throughout city. Public confusion about who's in which faction. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian investigating connection to The Bane.

Loot & Rewards

Permanent Gains

All Party Members:

• Bane Watcher Membership: Official members of ancient order
• Bane Sense: Can sense The Bane's presence (currently unfocused - jumbled voices and sensations). Will develop over time.
• Dragon Blood Initiation: Survived the ritual (Constitution saves ranged from 13-20)
• Shared Vision: Prophetic knowledge of past events, though they must compare notes to realize they shared the dream

Individual Loot

Elik'r Stormswallow:

• Massive iridescent scale from unknown sea beast (from Balthazar's body)

Lady Odonia of Galantri:

• Book with many names (mostly crossed out)
• Contains current party members' names (except Elvva Beltavar)
• Contains Ser Pas Rata's name (not crossed out) and Mark's name
• Evidence of Balthazar's tracking/hunting activities

Ser Tessell Highfrost:

• Magical Lockpicks: Can permanently lock anything (even things without locks). Cannot unlock anything. Once used, the lock cannot be opened by any means.

ToooAh:

• "Tales of the Lost Princess" - small pocket book
• Part of book series
• Can practice reading with it
• Unknown author

Elvva Beltavar:

• Balthazar's personal diary (reveals darkest secrets)
• Four death certificates for current party members (dates blank)
• Ser Pas Rata's death certificate (dated ~1 month ago)
• Evidence that Balthazar was tracking former and current party members

Memorable Moments

ToooAh's Intelligence Joke

When Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian asked if anyone remembered the bet from earlier:

• ToooAh's player: "I've increased my intelligence now!"
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "Was it a check or religion you decide? Or religion?"
• Group realizes they both use Intelligence
• ToooAh: "They're both the same!"
• Religion check still failed (rolled 7 total)
• Party laughed at the irony of proudly declaring higher Intelligence then immediately failing

The Dragon Blood Taste Test

Full Description:

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian poured the thick, dark brownish-red liquid from his keg
• Described as "very thick liquid, almost like oil or very thick blood"
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "I'm not going to lie to you - it tastes like shit. And it's warm as well."
• ToooAh immediately used Minor Illusion (Prestidigitation) to remove the flavor within one cubic foot
• Party discussed whether this would work
• DM: "You said it tastes like rat. Are you telling me the bird's braver than you?"
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: "She doesn't have access to what I have!"
• Party: "She can fight better than you!"
• Group Constitution saves began with ToooAh having removed the taste advantage
• Despite the preparation, ToooAh still struggled (rolled 15)
• Ser Tessell Highfrost struggled significantly (rolled 13)
• Lady Odonia of Galantri nearly died (took 5 damage)
• Elik'r Stormswallow and Elvva Beltavar aced it (both rolled 20)
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian laughed throughout: "That was a test. Here's the real drink. Night night!"
• Entire party collapsed simultaneously

The Wake-Up Sequence

Full Description:

• Lady Odonia of Galantri woke first after 4 hours
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "Whilst you're racing during this time, there's a knock on the door for ever while he's, you know, caught himself."
• Lady Odonia of Galantri found Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian playing tic-tac-toe by himself on someone's face with marker
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "Aye, at least there's bricks like me in there. Not like this one on the floor."
• Points at Elik'r Stormswallow: "How long has the little girl been sleeping?"
• Elik'r Stormswallow took 20 hours to wake up (longest)
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "Got bored of this, so he goes off to the tavern to get some food"
• When Elik'r Stormswallow finally woke, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian returned: "Dusk! As you finally start coming around!"
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: "Chuck some water on him!"
• Party: "You were one of the first!"
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: "I went back to sleep!"

Ser Pas Rata's Death Certificate Revelation

Full Description:

• Elvva Beltavar rolled for loot and got Balthazar's diary
• DM described finding death certificates inside
• Initial description: "Four death certificates with your names"
• Party: confused silence
• DM: "The only thing different is the date isn't filled out"
• Elvva Beltavar: "So there's four for each of us?"
• DM: "Yes, there's each of your names. But the date is missing."
• Party getting increasingly worried
• DM: "As you flip to the last one, however..."
• Long dramatic pause
• DM: "There's one more at the back"
• Elvva Beltavar: "No..."
• DM: "And it's got a date filled in at the top, which is roughly about a month ago now"
• Party: "WHAT?!"
• DM: "With Ser Pas Rata's details"
• Collective shock as they realized Ser Pas Rata (former party member who went east) had died
• Party realized Balthazar had been tracking them and former members
• Discussion of what this means for their own blank death certificates

The Gnome Army Reveal

Full Description:

• Vision showed dog River's perspective (looking up at Lady Odonia of Galantri)
• Dog sensed something in the woods
• Many pairs of eyes visible in bushes
• Very short creatures
• One gnome stepped forward with bandage over one eye
• Party: "Oh no..."
• DM: "The gnome that Lady Odonia of Galantri shot in the eye during the early tournament melee, watching you"
• Lady Odonia of Galantri: "Of course he is!"
• Party remembered Barry/Larry from the tournament
• DM: "The gnomes have not forgotten"
• Party: nervous laughter
• Lady Odonia of Galantri: "I shot ONE gnome!"
• Party realizes there's an entire group of vengeful gnomes tracking them
• ToooAh: "There's quite a few of them in the bushes!"

The Purple Dragonborn's Plea

Full Description:

• Vision panned back to the petrified purple dragonborn statue
• Complete silence from party
• Stone statue suddenly screamed: "RELEASE ME, RELEASE ME, Elik'r Stormswallow!"
• Directly named Elik'r Stormswallow
• Party: "WHAT?!"
• Elik'r Stormswallow's player: shocked silence
• Party discussing what this means
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: "Why you specifically?"
• Elik'r Stormswallow: "I have NO idea!"
• ToooAh: "This is concerning!"
• Major mystery established
• Party now knows there's a massive dragonborn somewhere trapped in stone calling specifically to Elik'r Stormswallow

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Trust Declaration

Full Description:

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian explained the Bane Watcher organization
• Talked about how few remain
• Mentioned his colleagues investigating in other kingdoms
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "I trust you. I reckon he would give you different."
• Pause
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "He definitely trusts you. So I reckon he would say he trusts most of you."
• Party: "Most of us?!"
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: pointing, "I know he's quite close with [gestures] as well"
• Uncomfortable laughter
• Ser Tessell Highfrost: "So who doesn't he trust?"
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: knowing smile
• Party trying to figure out who's the suspicious one
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian never clarified, leaving party paranoid

The Ship Petrification

Full Description:

• Vision showed small figure (possibly child) on boat during storm
• Companion with them (man from earlier palace scene)
• Figure looked panicked
• Child: "They're going to catch us. I'm sorry."
• Figure began casting/chanting
• Party couldn't discern the spell words
• Camera view changed to show pursuing ship
• Pursuing vessel turned completely to stone mid-ocean
• Ship became a stone statue on the water
• Eyes shut, vision ended
• Party: "Wait, WHAT?"
• Discussion of how powerful this child must be
• Elvva Beltavar: "Who can turn an entire ship to stone?!"
• ToooAh: "And why were they being chased?"
• Mystery of small figure's identity and their incredible power

Cliffhangers & Unresolved Threads

Major Cliffhangers

The Purple Dragonborn:

• Who is he?
• Where is the statue located?
• Why is he calling specifically to Elik'r Stormswallow?
• What happens if he's released?
• Is releasing him good or bad?
• Connected to The Bane or opposed to it?

Balthazar's Death Certificates:

• Why did Balthazar have death certificates for current party members?
• Are the blank dates prophetic?
• Will party members die as Balthazar predicted?
• Can they prevent their deaths?
• Why was he hunting/tracking the party?

Ser Pas Rata's Death:

• How did Ser Pas Rata die?
• Where exactly did he die in the east?
• Was Balthazar involved in his death?
• Why did Balthazar keep his death certificate?

The Gnome Army:

• How many gnomes are tracking the party?
• What do they want (beyond revenge for Lady Odonia of Galantri shooting Barry/Larry)?
• Where are they based?
• Are they just angry, or something more sinister?
• Will they attack or just watch?

The Mysterious Small Figure:

• Who is the child/small person from the vision?
• How do they have power to petrify an entire ship?
• What's their connection to High King Everglade?
• Why were they being chased?
• Are they still alive?
• Are they connected to current events?

Unresolved Threads

Bane Presence in Belendar:

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian senses strong presence in city
• Is it connected to Eagle vs Falcon war?
• Who/what is corrupted?
• Is Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade compromised?

Elvva Beltavar's Backstory Vision:

• Father killed in raid
• Black Knight with hammer in background
• Who was her father?
• Who killed him?
• Connection to party's current situation?

Tournament Implications:

• Lord Commander and Emperor Vladier Drakonhart imprisoned
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian trying to force military alliance contract
• Who will win tournament?
• What happens when Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian wins (or loses)?

Ancient History Implications:

• Dwarves corrupted by The Bane
• War between dwarves and elves
• Both races nearly extinct
• Dragons imprisoned The Bane
• One dragon god died in the war
• How does this affect current world?

Book of Names:

• Who are all the crossed-out names in Balthazar's book?
• Did Balthazar kill them?
• Why were current party members on the list?
• Why were former party members (Ser Pas Rata, Mark) included?

Important Lore Reveals

Ancient History

• First Races: Dwarves and elves were the original races created by the gods
• The Bane's First Coming: Corrupted the dwarves, leading to war between dwarves and elves
• Near Extinction: Both races nearly wiped out (explaining current rarity)
• Dragon Gods: Multiple dragon gods ruled the world during this time
• Dragon Alliance: Dragons bonded together to defeat The Bane
• Dragon Death: One dragon god died in the war against The Bane
• Imprisonment: Dragons successfully imprisoned The Bane
• Underground Network: Ancient dwarven highway system exists beneath the surface

The Bane

• Nature: Pure evil, corrupts everything, sows chaos
• Many Names: Called different things by different races/times
• Current Status: Released when party blew the horn
• Detection: Dragon blood allows sensing its presence
• Current Location: Strong presence in Belendar, also seen in underground roads
• Bane Watchers: Ancient organization dedicated to hunting it, now reduced to few small bands

Dragon Blood Ritual

• Source: Blood of dragon god killed in ancient war
• Mixed Substance: Not pure blood - combined with other ingredients
• Effect: Allows sensing The Bane's presence
• Cost: Can kill participants (Constitution save required)
• Initial Experience: Overwhelming jumble of voices and sensations
• Development: Sensing ability improves over time
• Duration: Permanent once survived

Purple Dragonborn

• Size: 12 feet tall (massive even for dragonborn)
• Color: Purple (non-standard - homebrew, no official purple dragonborn exist)
• Status: Petrified/imprisoned in stone by magical spell
• Location: Large cavern with bright light in ceiling
• Activity: Fought against dwarves and other races
• Current State: Statue can still speak/scream
• Connection: Specifically called to Elik'r Stormswallow by name
• Mystery: Unknown if he's villain or victim

Political Revelations

• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Distrust: Doesn't trust Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Trust: Only trusts Emperor Vladier Drakonhart (currently imprisoned)
• Tournament Purpose: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian competing to secure military alliance contract
• Investigation Network: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian has colleagues in Immortal Draconic Empire and Nolunia

Balthazar's Secrets

• True Form: Could transform into wyvern
• Hunter/Tracker: Kept list of names (mostly crossed out)
• Death Certificates: Prepared certificates for current party members (dates blank)
• Tracked Former Members: Had Ser Pas Rata's death certificate (dated), Mark's name in book
• Killed by Lady Odonia of Galantri: Made her famous throughout city

Session Tone & Themes

Mystery and Revelation:

• Major lore dump session explaining ancient history
• Prophetic visions revealing past events
• Multiple mysteries introduced (purple dragonborn, ship figure, gnome army)
• Balthazar revelation showed he'd been tracking party
• Ser Pas Rata's death confirmed

Cosmic Horror:

• The Bane as ultimate evil
• Dragon blood ritual with death risk
• Overwhelming sensory experience of Bane sensing
• Ancient conflicts with world-ending stakes

Comedy:

• ToooAh's failed Intelligence joke
• Dragon blood taste test negotiations
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian playing tic-tac-toe on sleeping party member's face
• Elik'r Stormswallow sleeping for 20 hours while everyone else woke up
• Party's reactions to various reveals

Paranoia:

• Gnome army watching from woods (revenge for Lady Odonia of Galantri shooting Barry/Larry)
• Ser Pas Rata confirmed dead
• Death certificates with blank dates for current party
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian saying he "trusts most of you"
• Unknown threats throughout city

Hero Recognition:

• Lady Odonia of Galantri now most famous person in Belendar
• Her killing blow on Balthazar the wyvern made her a legend
• City talking about the Riders of the Storm

Next Session Setup

Immediate Concerns:

• 6 days until next tournament round
• Gnome army in woods near party's route (led by Barry/Larry, shot by Lady Odonia of Galantri)
• Strong Bane presence in Belendar
• Balthazar's death certificates - what do the blank dates mean?

Major Quest Hooks:

• Find the petrified purple dragonborn (calling to Elik'r Stormswallow)
• Investigate Ser Pas Rata's death in the east
• Deal with gnome army (revenge for tournament melee incident)
• Uncover identity of ship-petrifying figure
• Hunt The Bane
• Resolve Eagle vs Falcon faction war

Character Development:

• Party now has Bane sensing ability to develop
• Elik'r Stormswallow specifically connected to purple dragonborn mystery
• Elvva Beltavar has evidence of Balthazar's tracking and party's potential deaths
• Ser Tessell Highfrost has magical lockpicks with unique properties
• ToooAh has mysterious book series to read
• Lady Odonia of Galantri saw gnomes watching through River's eyes - and she's now city-famous for killing Balthazar

Political Situation:

• Tournament continues in 6 days
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian competing for military alliance
• Lord Commander and Emperor Vladier Drakonhart removed from competition
• City covered in faction graffiti
• Lady Odonia of Galantri now most famous person in city (wyvern slayer)