Riddles and Revelations

Summary

The party was summoned to a royal feast at seven o'clock, giving them time for a short rest beforehand. At the feast, all tournament competitors were present except Ser Balthazar Thornwood (deceased) and Elvva Beltavar (recovering from injuries). The Lord Commander attended, having been released for fighting against the attackers. During the feast, all competitors - and notably Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade herself - were drugged and fell unconscious. They awakened individually in identical small rooms for "The Tournament of Wits and Wisdom," a puzzle-based elimination challenge announced by Eldrin Oakenhart's magically amplified voice. Each competitor faced a series of five increasingly difficult riddles in separate, isolated rooms. Wrong answers inflicted elemental damage: cold (Room 1), fire (Room 2), lightning (Room 3), and earth (Room 4). The challenge tested both intelligence and constitution, as accumulated damage could knock competitors out. Success depended on solving riddles quickly whilst managing damage from incorrect guesses. An unknown NPC completed first overall, followed by Elik'r Stormswallow (first among party members), then Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian, then ToooAh, and finally Lady Odonia of Galantri. Ser Tessell Highfrost struggled significantly with the riddles.

Key Events

Pre-Feast Preparation

Time Management:

• Party arrived at approximately 3:00 PM
• Feast scheduled for 7:00 PM (4 hours available)
• Given option for short rest (4 hours) or long rest

Party Choices:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost: Long rest - had squire prepare finest clothes
• Others: Short rest to be ready for feast
• All party members prepared formal attire

Discussion Points:

• Party debated whether fine clothes were necessary
• ToooAh expressed concern about improving dexterity during downtime
• Squires stationed to wake party members at appropriate time

The Royal Feast

Attendees Present:

• All tournament competitors (minus casualties)
• Lord Commander - released from imprisonment (fought against attackers)
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade - sitting on throne (King absent)
• Eldrin Oakenhart - standing beside Princess
• White Falcon Knight - in full armour with helmet on
• Eagle Knight - notably absent
• Various knights and nobility

Notable Absences:

• Ser Balthazar Thornwood (deceased - killed by Lady Odonia of Galantri)
• Elvva Beltavar (recovering from injuries)
• Eagle Knight (whereabouts unknown)
• High King - announced as ill with stress-induced ailment

The King's Absence:

• Announced during feast that King had "come down with something"
• Stress from recent battle cited as cause
• King described as "very old" already
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade temporarily assumed his duties as "master of the games"

Feast Details:

• Buffet-style banquet with variety of meats and fruits
• Multiple toasts occurring throughout
• Party members eating and drinking freely
• Social atmosphere initially pleasant

The Drugging:

• Elik'r Stormswallow noticed feeling strange whilst eating chicken leg with Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian also felt strange: "I felt funny mate"
• DM called for Perception checks from all party members
• Results varied (highest was 19+12=31 from one player)
• Those scoring 15+ noticed key details before losing consciousness:
  • Every tournament competitor falling unconscious simultaneously
  • No one else affected - only competitors drugged
  • Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade herself nodded off on the throne
• Lower rolls simply fell unconscious without noticing
• All competitors collapsed at their tables simultaneously

The Tournament of Wits and Wisdom

The Awakening:

• Each competitor woke in an identical but separate small room (individual instances)
• No communication possible between competitors
• Each person completely isolated
• No knowledge of how much time had passed
• Eleven walls of each room lit up in blue (magical illumination)
• Lord of the Rings-style magical effect spreading around walls

Eldrin Oakenhart's Announcement:

• Voice boomed throughout all rooms simultaneously via spell
• Same spell all party members had used before (recognisable)
• Announced: "The Tournament of Wits and Wisdom"
• Explained rules and format
• Each competitor heard the same announcement in their separate room
• Magical amplification made voice fill entire space

The Rules:

• Five levels/rooms to complete individually
• Each room contains a riddle on the door
• Correct answer opens door to next room for that competitor only
• Wrong answers inflict damage and status effects to that individual
• Two ways to win:
  1. Complete all five levels successfully
  2. Fastest completion time among those who succeed
• Competitors completely isolated - cannot help each other at all
• Performance affects tournament rankings
• Each person progresses at their own pace

Meta-Game Mechanics:

• Players used mobile phones to message DM privately
• Answers submitted via direct message only
• No shouting out answers (competing against each other, in separate rooms)
• Time taken = order of message receipts
• When one player solved their riddle, only that player progressed
• Other players continued working on their own riddles in their own rooms
• DM had pre-rolled results for all NPCs
• 100 different riddles prepared in advance
• Each competitor received different riddles (rolled randomly via dice)

Damage Types by Room:

• Room 1: Blue door - Cold damage (5 points per wrong answer)
• Room 2: Red door - Fire damage (5 points per wrong answer)
• Room 3: Static/yellow - Lightning damage (5 points per wrong answer)
• Room 4: Brown/orange - Earth/crushing damage (5 points per wrong answer)
• Room 5: Unknown damage type (final challenge)

Individual Riddle Progression

Important Note: Each party member was in their own separate challenge instance. When one person solved a riddle and moved to the next room, the others remained in whatever room they were currently in, working on their own riddles. Progress was completely individual.

Initiative Order (Dice rolls - determined who received their first riddle first):

1. Ser Tessell Highfrost (highest roll - received first riddle before others)
2. Lady Odonia of Galantri (second)
3. ToooAh (third)
4. Elik'r Stormswallow (fourth)

Individual Player Experiences

Elik'r Stormswallow's Challenge

Room 1 (Cold/Blue Door) - Riddle #96:

• "Lives without a body, hears without ears. Speaks without a mouth to which the air alone gives birth."
• Answer: Echo
• Solved relatively quickly
• Progressed to Room 2

Room 2 (Fire/Red Door) - Riddle #97:

• "What goes into the water, red, and comes out black?"
• Answer: Iron/metal (rusts)
• Solved quickly
• Minimal fire damage taken
• Progressed to Room 3

Room 3 (Lightning/Static) - Riddle #23:

• "What is something that dawns on you, even when it shouldn't?"
• Answer: Realisation/understanding
• Wordplay riddle
• Solved successfully
• Progressed to Room 4

Room 4 (Earth/Brown-Orange) - Riddle #25:

• "When you come to the end of all you know, I am there. Who am I?"
• Hint provided: "I start out wonderful, but then I begin worse"
• Answer: The letter 'W' (wonderful begins with W, worse begins with W)
• Letter-based riddle
• Solved successfully
• Progressed to Room 5

Room 5 (Final Challenge) - Riddle #94:

• "I am the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness. There is no happiness without me, nor is there sadness. I am always in risk, but never in danger. You'll find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness."
• Answer: The letter 'S'
• Letter pattern riddle (sorrow begins with S, sickness ends with S, etc.)
• Solved successfully
• First party member to complete all five rooms

Performance:

• Smooth progression through most rooms
• Letter-based riddles suited his approach
• Minimal damage accumulated
• Strong completion

ToooAh's Challenge

Room 1 (Cold/Blue Door) - Riddle #20:

• "River bridge crossing, look out for the guards. Can you spell that without any 'R's?"
• Answer: T-H-A-T (spell the word "that" without Rs)
• Trick question/wordplay
• Solved after initial confusion
• Some cold damage taken

Room 2 (Fire/Red Door) - Riddle #17:

• "As I was going to the village I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven kids. Each kid has seven cats, each cat had seven kittens. How many were going to the village?"
• Answer: One (only "I" was going to the village; everyone else was coming from it)
• Classic misdirection riddle
• Solved successfully
• Minimal fire damage

Room 3 (Lightning/Static) - Riddle #38:

• "An untiring servant is carrying loads across muddy earth, but one thing that cannot be forced is a return to his place of birth."
• Answer: River/stream (cannot return to source)
• Nature-based riddle
• Struggled with wording
• DM noted answer was close but not exact
• Took lightning damage from wrong attempts
• Eventually solved

Room 4 (Earth/Brown-Orange) - Riddle #11:

• "Two friends stand and travel together. One nearly useless without the other."
• Got close with "feet" but not exact
• Answer: Boots (or shoes/footwear)
• Took some earth damage
• Eventually solved

Room 5 (Final Challenge) - Riddle #99:

• "What binds two people but touches only one?"
• Answer: Wedding ring
• Solved successfully
• Second party member to complete all five rooms

Performance:

• Moderate difficulty throughout
• Several wrong answers accumulated moderate damage
• Persevered through challenges
• Successfully completed

Odonia of Galantri's Challenge

Room 1 (Cold/Blue Door) - Riddle #57:

• "I guard precious treasures and yet my body never moves, but I open like a book when something of yours is used. When finally I'm gutted, always feel quite blue. I always feel so useless without gold that I consume. What am I?"
• Answer: Purse/Wallet
• Multiple wrong answers initially
• Took significant cold damage
• Room glowed blue, filled with ice
• Eventually solved

Room 2 (Fire/Red Door) - Riddle #42:

• "It is a journey whose path depends on another's vision of where it ends. What am I?"
• Answer: Book/story (journey depends on author's vision)
• Some difficulty
• Took fire damage
• Eventually solved

Room 3 (Lightning/Static) - Riddle #67:

• "Halo of water, tongue of wood, skin of stone and long I've stood. My fingers short reach to the sky, inside my heart men live and die. What am I?"
• Answer: Castle
• Poetic description riddle
• Halo of water = moat
• Tongue of wood = drawbridge
• Skin of stone = walls
• Fingers = towers
• Heart = courtyard/interior
• Solved after working through clues
• Some lightning damage taken

Room 4 (Earth/Brown-Orange) - Riddle #75:

• "What belongs to you, but other people use it more than you do?"
• Answer: Your name
• Classic riddle
• Solved relatively quickly
• Minimal earth damage

Room 5 (Final Challenge):

• Successfully completed
• Third party member to complete all five rooms

Performance:

• Struggled initially with abstract riddles
• Improved as challenge progressed
• Accumulated moderate damage overall
• Successfully completed

Tessell Highfrost's Challenge

Room 1 (Cold/Blue Door) - Riddle #30:

• "Two men drink poisoned iced tea. One man drinks it fast and lives. The other man drinks it slow and dies. How is this possible?"
• Answer: The poison is in the ice cubes (slow drinker's ice melted, releasing poison)
• Struggled significantly with this riddle
• Multiple wrong answers
• Took 5+ cold damage with each wrong answer
• Room glowed blue, filled with ice
• Shivered violently from cold
• Eventually solved

Room 2 (Fire/Red Door) - Riddle #46:

• "Today he is there to trip you up and he will torture you tomorrow. Yet he is also there to ease the pain when you are lost in grief and sorrow."
• Answer: Alcohol
• DM noted that Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian would solve this instantly
• Thematic riddle about drinking
• Struggled significantly
• Multiple wrong answers
• Accumulated fire damage
• Eventually solved

Room 3 (Lightning/Static) - Riddle #89:

• "What goes with a carriage, comes with a carriage, is of no use to a carriage and yet the carriage cannot go without it?"
• Answer: The sound of a carriage (noise/sound)
• Extremely difficult riddle
• DM noted this was the one work colleagues couldn't solve either
• Multiple wrong answers over extended time
• Took significant lightning damage
• DM gave hints about wording being close but not exact
• Room sparked with electricity repeatedly
• Eventually solved after considerable struggle

Room 4 and Beyond:

• Continued taking damage
• Accumulated significant HP loss
• Heavy damage from previous rooms
• Did not complete all five rooms
• One of the competitors who failed to finish

Performance:

• Struggled throughout entire challenge
• Wrong answers in every room
• Accumulated heavy damage (estimated 20-25+ damage total)
• Riddle format not suited to his thinking style
• Failed to complete

## Completion Order and Results

Successfully Completed All Five Rooms:

1. [Unknown NPC] - First overall
2. Elik'r Stormswallow - Second overall, first party member
3. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Third overall
4. ToooAh - Fourth overall, second party member
5. Lady Odonia of Galantri - Fifth overall, third party member

Did Not Complete:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost - Took too much damage, failed to complete all five rooms
• Other NPCs who failed or were knocked unconscious by damage
• Several competitors still attempting when session ended

NPC Performances:

• Unknown NPC completed first (identity not revealed)
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Completed successfully, already heavily drunk at feast when later party members returned
• Five total people completed all five levels successfully
• DM had pre-rolled all NPC results before session

Still In Progress When Session Ended:

• At least two competitors still attempting riddles
• Their fates unknown at session's end

Return to the Feast (Individual Returns)

Unknown NPC's Return:

• First overall to complete
• Identity not revealed in session
• Set the pace for all other competitors

Elik'r Stormswallow's Return:

• Second overall, first party member to complete
• Portal opened in his final room
• Ser Alvar Flowers emerged from portal to congratulate him
• Dramatic character moment
• Materialised back at his place at the feast
• Eldrin Oakenhart and Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade present
• Both congratulated him on completion
• Announced as "second out of war" (second overall)
• Told to enjoy alcohol whilst waiting for others

Co'narr's Return:

• Third overall
• Returned to feast and immediately began drinking heavily
• Found Elik'r Stormswallow already there

The Failed Deception:

• When Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian arrived at the feast, Elik'r Stormswallow saw an opportunity for mischief
• Elik'r Stormswallow gestured dramatically at the empty tankards on the table: "Co'narr! You've got some catching up to do - I've already finished all of these!"
• Rolled natural 1 on Deception check
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian looked at Elik'r Stormswallow, then at the pristine, untouched tankards, then back at Elik'r Stormswallow
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "You haven't touched a single one, have you lad?"
• Elik'r Stormswallow: sheepish grin
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian roared with laughter and immediately began his genuine drinking spree
• By the time ToooAh arrived, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian had already surrounded himself with actually empty tankards

ToooAh's Return:

• Fourth overall, second player member to complete
• Found Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian genuinely heavily drunk at feast
• Elik'r Stormswallow also present, watching Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's celebration
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian offered drink enthusiastically
• Announced position
• Plans to "consume a lot of alcohol" to forget the ordeal
• Relieved to have completed challenge

Odonia of Galantri's Return:

• Fifth overall, third player to complete
• Congratulated by Eldrin Oakenhart and Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
• Told: "You didn't do too bad"
• Acknowledgment of decent performance despite being fifth
• Still two people left inside attempting challenges when she returned
• Joined others at feast

Players Still Inside:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost confirmed still attempting (taking heavy damage)
• At least one other competitor still working through riddles
• Session ended before all competitors finished or failed

NPCs

Active This Session

Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade

Status: Active | Role: Presiding over tournament

This Session:

• Sitting on throne (father absent due to illness)
• Temporarily assumed father's role as "master of the games"
• Also drugged and fell unconscious during feast alongside competitors
• Woke before competitors to preside over challenge results
• Congratulated Elik'r Stormswallow, ToooAh, and Lady Odonia of Galantri upon completion
• Standing with Eldrin Oakenhart when competitors returned

Significance:

• Her being drugged suggests either:
  • She was included as a competitor (unlikely)
  • Someone wanted to incapacitate her during the challenge
  • The drugging was indiscriminate to all feast attendees who were competitors
• She woke up first, suggesting either resistance or she was given antidote
• Continues to fulfil father's duties during his illness

Eldrin Oakenhart

Status: Active | Role: Royal Advisor & Tournament Master

This Session:

• Standing beside Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade at feast
• Announced "The Tournament of Wits and Wisdom" via magical voice amplification
• Voice boomed throughout all separate rooms simultaneously
• Used spell recognisable to party members
• Explained challenge rules to all competitors
• Congratulated returning competitors
• Announced completion positions

Role:

• Acts as master of ceremonies for tournament challenges
• Coordinates magical aspects of tournament
• Royal advisor to Crown Princess

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian

Status: Active | Role: Tournament Competitor & Bane Watcher Leader

This Session:

• Attended royal feast
• Sat next to Elik'r Stormswallow during feast
• Eating when feeling strange: "I felt funny mate"
• Also drugged and fell unconscious
• Participated in Tournament of Wits and Wisdom
• Completed all five rooms successfully (third overall)
• Already at feast and heavily drunk when Elik'r Stormswallow and ToooAh returned
• Offered drinks to returning competitors
• Celebrating his completion

Performance:

• Successfully completed challenge
• Strong showing
• Third person overall to complete
• DM noted he would instantly solve the alcohol riddle if he'd received it

Notes:

• Competing in tournament to secure military alliance contract with kingdom
• Still investigating The Bane's presence in Belendar
• Relationship with party remains strong

Lord Commander

Status: Active | Role: Military Leader

This Session:

• Released from imprisonment
• Reason for release: Fought against the attackers during previous battle
• Attended royal feast
• Presumably participated in Tournament of Wits and Wisdom
• Completion status unknown

Significance:

• Previous imprisonment presumably related to Eagle/Falcon faction conflict
• Fighting against attackers proved his loyalty
• Back in favour with Crown Princess

White Falcon Knight

Status: Active | Role: Tournament Competitor (Mysterious)

This Session:

• Present at feast
• In full armour with helmet on
• Identity still concealed
• Presumably participated in Tournament of Wits and Wisdom
• Completion status unknown

Mystery:

• Still hasn't removed helmet
• Identity remains unknown to public
• Rumours spreading throughout Belendar about who they are
• Connected to Falcon faction

Ser Alvar Flowers

Status: Active | Role: Unknown (Connected to Elik'r Stormswallow)

This Session:

• Appeared through portal in Elik'r Stormswallow's final room
• Congratulated Elik'r Stormswallow on completing challenge
• Dramatic entrance
• Then disappeared/returned through portal

Mystery:

• What is Ser Alvar Flowers's relationship to Elik'r Stormswallow?
• Why does he have portal access to tournament space?
• Is he a powerful mage? Knight? Both?
• Connected to tournament organisers?
• Mentor or patron figure to Elik'r Stormswallow?

Title:

• "Ser" indicates knighthood
• "Flowers" is a bastard surname in some fantasy settings - is he a noble bastard?

Mentioned This Session

High King Everglade

Status: Absent (Ill) | Role: Monarch of Odessia

This Session:

• Announced as having "come down with something"
• Stress from recent battle cited as cause
• Described as "very old" already
• Too ill to attend feast
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade assumed his duties

Significance:

• Health declining
• Crown Princess taking over responsibilities
• May be approaching succession
• Stress suggests toll of recent attacks

Eagle Knight

Status: Absent | Role: Tournament Competitor (Mysterious)

This Session:

• Notably absent from feast
• One of two bird-related heraldry knights
• Identity unknown
• Whereabouts unknown

Mystery:

• Why wasn't Eagle Knight at feast?
• Eliminated from tournament?
• Fled?
• Part of conspiracy?
• Connected to faction war

NPCs Not Present

Balthazar

Status: Deceased | Role: Former antagonist

This Session:

• Mentioned as reason for absence (killed by Lady Odonia of Galantri)
• Death confirmed

Elvva Beltavar

Status: Recovering | Role: Party Member (Absent)

This Session:

• Announced as recovering from injuries
• Did not attend feast
• Not participating in this tournament round
• Shannon (player) not present for session

Reason:

• Recovering from previous battle injuries
• Gives in-game reason for player absence

Locations

Active This Session

Royal Feast Hall (Belendar)

Location: Belendar Castle | Status: Scene of drugging

This Session:

• Grand feast held here at 7:00 PM
• Throne room where Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade presided
• Eldrin Oakenhart stood beside throne
• Buffet-style banquet with meats and fruits
• Multiple toasts occurring
• Social atmosphere initially pleasant
• All competitors drugged here simultaneously
• All collapsed at tables
• Feast resumed when competitors returned from challenge

Details:

• Large enough to accommodate all tournament competitors plus nobility
• Formal setting with throne
• Royal guards present
• Servants managing food and drink

The Challenge Rooms

Location: Unknown (Magical pocket dimension?) | Status: Tournament venue

Description:

• Each competitor placed in identical but separate small room
• No communication between rooms possible
• Eleven walls in each room
• Walls lit up in blue upon awakening (Lord of the Rings-style effect)
• Five sequential rooms per competitor:
  • Room 1: Blue door (cold damage)
  • Room 2: Red door (fire damage)
  • Room 3: Yellow/static door (lightning damage)
  • Room 4: Brown/orange door (earth damage)
  • Room 5: Final challenge (unknown damage type)

Room Effects:

• Room 1 (Cold): Blue glow, room filled with ice, intense cold, shivering
• Room 2 (Fire): Red/orange glow, intense heat, flames
• Room 3 (Lightning): Yellow/static atmosphere, electrical sparks, lightning bolts zapping competitors
• Room 4 (Earth): Brown atmosphere, crushing sensation, ground/walls squeezing competitors
• Room 5: Various effects depending on riddle

Mechanics:

• Riddles appeared on doors
• Correct answer opened door to next room
• Wrong answer inflicted 5 damage of room's element type
• Progress individual - no waiting for others
• Upon completion, competitors teleported back to feast

Mystery:

• Where are these rooms physically located?
• Magical pocket dimension created by Eldrin Oakenhart?
• Pre-existing magical challenge space?
• Part of castle's hidden magical defences?

Mentioned This Session

Belendar (City)

Status: Capital of Odessia

This Session:

• Location of royal feast and tournament
• Rumours spreading about mysterious knights
• Lady Odonia of Galantri still most famous person in city (killed Ser Balthazar Thornwood)
• Political tensions continue
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian investigating The Bane's presence here

Quests

Active Quests

Tournament Competition

Status: Ongoing | Priority: HIGH

This Session Updates:

• "Tournament of Wits and Wisdom" round completed

• Rankings updated based on performance:

  1. Elik'r Stormswallow - Top party performer
  2. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Third overall
  3. ToooAh - Solid completion
  4. Lady Odonia of Galantri - Completed successfully
  • Ser Tessell Highfrost - Failed to complete
  • Others unknown

Objectives:

• [✓] Survive Tournament of Wits and Wisdom
• Continue to next tournament round
• Win overall tournament
• Secure alliances through performance

Implications:

• Elik'r Stormswallow's strong performance boosts party reputation
• Ser Tessell Highfrost's failure may affect standing
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's completion helps his goal of forcing military alliance
• Three party members completed successfully

Investigate the Drugging

Status: RESOLVED (tournament feature) | Priority: N/A

Quest Trigger:

• All tournament competitors drugged at royal feast
• Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade also drugged
• Sophisticated operation targeting specific individuals

Mysteries:

• Who drugged the feast?
• How was it done so selectively (only competitors affected)?
• Why was Crown Princess also drugged?
• Was this part of tournament design or sabotage?
• Connected to Eagle/Falcon faction war?
• Related to The Bane's presence in Belendar?

Objectives:

• Investigate who had access to competitors' food/drink
• Determine if Crown Princess was intentional target
• Discover if drugging was tournament feature or attack
• Identify conspirators if sabotage
• Ensure party safety at future events

Suspects:

• Eldrin Oakenhart (organised tournament, would have access)
• Servants (handled food and drink)
• Eagle/Falcon faction operatives
• Unknown party with magical abilities

Ongoing Quests

The Bane

Status: Active | Priority: CRITICAL
Quest File: Quests - Active#The Bane

This Session:

• No direct progression
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian still investigating presence in Belendar
• Tournament may be distraction from real threat

Connection:

• Could drugging be related to The Bane's influence?
• Is tournament being manipulated by corrupted individuals?

Eagle vs Falcon Faction War

Status: Active | Priority: HIGH
Quest File: Quests - Active#Eagle vs Falcon Civil War

This Session:

• White Falcon Knight present at feast
• Eagle Knight notably absent
• Rumours continuing to spread in Belendar
• No direct confrontation

Questions:

• Why wasn't Eagle Knight at feast?
• Are factions involved in drugging?
• Connected to tournament manipulation?

Investigate Ser Alvar Flowers

Status: Active | Priority: HIGH
Quest File: Quests - Active#Investigate Ser Alvar Flowers

Quest Trigger:

• Dramatic entrance suggests significance

Objectives:

• Discover who Ser Alvar Flowers is
• Understand his portal abilities
• Assess if he's ally or potential threat
• Learn why he has access to tournament space

Loot & Rewards

Tournament Standings Updated

Completion Rankings (Tournament of Wits and Wisdom):

1. Elik'r Stormswallow - Second overall (+tournament points)
2. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian - Third overall (+tournament points)
3. ToooAh - Fourth overall (+tournament points)
4. Lady Odonia of Galantri - Fifth overall (+tournament points)

• Ser Tessell Highfrost - Did not complete (minimal or negative points)
• Others - Various rankings or failures

Implications:

• Elik'r Stormswallow now strong contender for overall tournament victory
• Party has three successful completions out of four participants
• Rankings affect final tournament outcome
• May influence political alliances and rewards

No Physical Loot

This Session:

• No items acquired
• No equipment gained
• Challenge was purely intellectual/magical test

Intangible Gains

Knowledge:

• Experience with magical pocket dimension challenges
• Understanding of tournament format diversity
• Insight into Eldrin Oakenhart's magical capabilities

Reputation:

• Elik'r Stormswallow demonstrated exceptional problem-solving
• ToooAh and Lady Odonia of Galantri showed competence
• Ser Tessell Highfrost struggled publicly (reputation may suffer)

Political Capital:

• Strong party showing (3/4 completed) strengthens alliance value
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's completion helps his military alliance goals

Memorable Moments

The Poison in the Ice

Full Description: Ser Tessell Highfrost received his first riddle: "Two men drink poisoned iced tea. One man drinks it fast and lives. The other man drinks it slow and dies. How is this possible?"

The room glowed blue around him as he pondered. He submitted several wrong answers, each time causing the temperature to plummet further. Ice spread across the walls and floor. With each incorrect guess, he took 5 points of cold damage, shivering violently.

"Come on, think!" he muttered to himself, alone in the frigid room.

More wrong answers. More damage. The cold was becoming unbearable. Finally, after significant struggle and accumulated damage, the realisation hit him: the poison was in the ice cubes. The man who drank slowly gave the ice time to melt and release the poison. The fast drinker finished before the poison could dissolve.

When he finally submitted the correct answer, the door glowed and opened, but Ser Tessell Highfrost was already significantly weakened. This was only the first room.

Significance: Set the tone for Ser Tessell Highfrost's entire challenge - he would struggle with almost every riddle, accumulating heavy damage throughout.

ToooAh and the Village Riddle

Full Description: ToooAh entered Room 2 and faced the red door's riddle: "As I was going to the village I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven kids. Each kid has seven cats, each cat had seven kittens. How many were going to the village?"

The bird-monk immediately began calculating: "Seven wives timesseven kids is forty-nine... times seven cats... times seven kittens..."

The numbers grew astronomical. Hundreds? Thousands?

He submitted a large number. The room erupted in flames - 5 fire damage. Wrong answer.

ToooAh recalculated, thinking he'd made a mathematical error. Another wrong answer. Another blast of heat and 5 more damage.

Then it hit him - this was a trick question. "I was going to the village. Just one person. Everyone else was coming from the village!"

He submitted "One" and the door opened. The flames subsided.

"Clever," ToooAh muttered, a bit annoyed at falling for the misdirection but impressed by the riddle's elegance.

Significance: Classic example of the challenge testing lateral thinking rather than mathematical ability. The riddle punished overthinking.

The Carriage Sound Riddle

Full Description: Ser Tessell Highfrost, already battered and bruised from previous rooms, limped into Room 3. The yellow door crackled with static electricity. His riddle appeared: "What goes with a carriage, comes with a carriage, is of no use to a carriage and yet the carriage cannot go without it?"

"Wheels?" Wrong. Lightning zapped him for 5 damage.

"Horse?" Wrong. Another shock.

"Driver?" Wrong. Another 5 damage.

The DM noted: "This is the riddle my work colleagues couldn't solve either."

Ser Tessell Highfrost tried variation after variation. "Reins?" "Axle?" "Wood?" "Metal?" Each answer brought another painful electric shock. His HP was dropping dangerously low.

Other players, having already solved their own Room 3 riddles, could only listen as Ser Tessell Highfrost continued to struggle. They couldn't help - the rules forbade it.

"The wording is close," the DM offered as a hint. "You're on the right track with some attempts."

More wrong answers. More lightning. Ser Tessell Highfrost's character was becoming seriously wounded.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity and numerous shocks: "The sound of a carriage!" Or simply "noise" or "sound."

The door opened. Ser Tessell Highfrost stumbled through, barely conscious, dreading whatever Room 4 would bring.

Significance: This riddle nearly eliminated Ser Tessell Highfrost from the competition. The DM's note that professional colleagues also failed it highlighted its genuine difficulty. It showcased how the challenge could be brutally unforgiving.

Elik'r's Clean Sweep

Full Description: While others struggled and took damage, Elik'r Stormswallow moved through the challenge with remarkable efficiency.

Room 1: "Lives without a body, hears without ears..." - "Echo." Door opens.

Room 2: "What goes into the water red and comes out black?" - "Iron." Door opens.

Room 3: "What is something that dawns on you even when it shouldn't?" - "Realisation." Door opens.

Room 4: "When you come to the end of all you know, I am there. Who am I?" With hint: "I start wonderful but end worse." Brief pause. "The letter W!" Door opens.

Room 5: "I am the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness..." Another letter riddle. Elik'r Stormswallow recognised the pattern immediately. "The letter S!"

The door didn't just open - it dissolved entirely. Elik'r Stormswallow stepped through and found himself back at the feast, the first party member to complete.

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian was already there, mug in hand, grinning broadly: "Well done, lad! Knew you had it in you!"

The Crown Princess and Eldrin Oakenhart congratulated him formally, announcing his second-place finish overall.

Significance: Elik'r Stormswallow's performance was exceptional. While others struggled and accumulated damage, he solved riddles efficiently with minimal wrong answers. His success with letter-based riddles showed good pattern recognition. This strong showing significantly boosted his tournament standing.

The Failed Drinking Deception

Full Description: Elik'r Stormswallow returned to the feast, exhausted but victorious. He was the first party member back, though one unknown NPC had completed before him.

The feast hall was still relatively quiet. Servants were clearing away some of the unconscious competitors or tending to those who remained in the challenge. The table before Elik'r Stormswallow held several pristine, untouched tankards of ale.

Then the air shimmered and Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian materialised back at his seat, looking pleased with himself.

Elik'r Stormswallow saw his opportunity. He gestured dramatically at the tankards: "Co'narr! You've got some serious catching up to do, mate! I've already finished all of these!"

[Rolled Natural 1 on Deception]

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian looked at Elik'r Stormswallow.

Then at the tankards - completely full, foam still fresh, not a single drop taken.

Then back at Elik'r Stormswallow.

The massive Goliath's face split into an enormous grin. "You haven't touched a single one, have you lad?"

Elik'r Stormswallow's confident smirk faltered. "I... well..."

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian roared with laughter, slapping the table hard enough to make the tankards jump. "Nice try! But if there's one thing I know, it's what a drunk tankard looks like versus a fresh one!"

He grabbed one of the pristine mugs and raised it high: "To honesty! And to ACTUAL drinking!" He downed it in one go.

Elik'r Stormswallow couldn't help but laugh at his own terrible deception attempt.

By the time ToooAh arrived, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian had genuinely surrounded himself with actually empty tankards, making Elik'r Stormswallow's earlier claim look even more pathetic in retrospect.

Significance: This provided perfect comic relief after the tension of the challenge. The natural 1 deception roll made the attempted trick hilariously obvious. It showcased Elik'r Stormswallow's playful side whilst highlighting Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's inability to be fooled about drinking. The moment also established the lighter atmosphere at the feast as party members returned, contrasting with the serious challenge they'd just survived.

Co'narr's Genuine Drunken Celebration

Full Description: After exposing Elik'r Stormswallow's terrible lie about the drinks, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian set about making the claim retroactively true - except with himself as the drinker.

"Right then!" he bellowed, grabbing tankards. "Let's see how many I can finish before the bird gets back!"

Elik'r Stormswallow watched in amused amazement as Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian worked his way through drink after drink with impressive speed.

When ToooAh finally materialised back at the feast, exhausted from solving five rooms of riddles, the scene had transformed. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian was surrounded by empty tankards. Many empty tankards. Actually empty this time.

"TOOOAH!" Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian bellowed, raising his current drink. His cheeks were flushed, his grin enormous. "You made it! Brilliant! Here, have a drink!"

ToooAh, still processing the ordeal, accepted. "How long have you been back?"

"Oh, not that long!" Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian laughed, gesturing at the impressive array of empty vessels. "Third one through! Not bad for an old warrior, eh?" He slapped the table, causing several mugs to jump. "Those riddles were FUN! Especially that one about—" he paused dramatically, "—ALCOHOL!" He roared with laughter.

ToooAh couldn't help but smile despite his exhaustion. The image of Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian confidently solving a riddle about drinking while others struggled was perfectly in character.

"That one would've been instant for you," ToooAh observed.

"Damn right!" Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian agreed enthusiastically. "Now drink up! We're celebrating! You completed it! That's what matters!"

Elik'r Stormswallow interjected dryly: "He's been drinking since the moment he got back. I tried to claim I'd drunk these before he arrived, but he saw right through me."

"Course I did!" Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian said proudly. "Nobody fools me about drinking!"

When Lady Odonia of Galantri arrived moments later, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian immediately offered her a drink too, his celebration continuing unabated.

Significance: This extended the comedy of Elik'r Stormswallow's failed deception whilst showcasing Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's genuine celebratory nature. His comment about the alcohol riddle being "instant" for him was both humorous and probably accurate. The contrast between his jovial celebration and the ordeal the others had just endured provided essential comic relief. It also showed Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's genuine pride in the party's collective success.

Tessell's Struggle

Full Description: While Elik'r Stormswallow, ToooAh, and Lady Odonia of Galantri returned to the feast one by one, Ser Tessell Highfrost remained trapped in the challenge rooms.

Back at the feast, the returned party members exchanged glances. Where was Ser Tessell Highfrost?

Inside the challenge, Ser Tessell Highfrost faced yet another riddle, his HP dangerously low. Each wrong answer brought more damage. The accumulated injuries from four previous rooms had left him battered and struggling to think clearly.

"Come on," he muttered to himself. "Just one more room. Just solve this one..."

Another wrong answer. More damage. He could barely stand.

The other party members at the feast began to worry. Eldrin Oakenhart announced that two competitors remained inside the challenge. One of them was undoubtedly Ser Tessell Highfrost.

Would he make it? Or would the damage finally overwhelm him?

The session ended without resolution, leaving Ser Tessell Highfrost's fate uncertain.

Significance: This created a personal cliffhanger for Ser Tessell Highfrost's player. While three party members succeeded, Ser Tessell Highfrost's struggle highlighted the genuine danger of the challenge. His potential failure would affect both his tournament standing and the party's overall reputation. The contrast between his performance and Elik'r Stormswallow's effortless success was stark.

The Crown Princess Falls Too

Full Description: As competitors around the feast began feeling strange, Elik'r Stormswallow turned to Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian: "Do you feel that?"

Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian nodded, looking confused. "I felt funny, mate."

Then, one by one, competitors began collapsing.

Those who rolled high perception checks noticed something alarming: not just the competitors were falling unconscious. Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade herself, sitting on the throne, slumped forward and nodded off.

This wasn't a tournament feature. This was everyone being drugged.

The last thing party members saw before losing consciousness was the feast hall full of unconscious bodies - competitors, the Crown Princess, all drugged simultaneously.

When they woke in the challenge rooms, this alarming detail lingered. Who had drugged them all? And why had the Crown Princess also been targeted?

Significance: This revelation transformed what seemed like a tournament mechanic into a potential conspiracy. Someone had managed to drug not just all competitors, but the Crown Princess herself. This suggested either:

1. A sophisticated plot targeting the royal family
2. An indiscriminate drugging that caught the Princess unintentionally
3. The tournament organisers (like Eldrin Oakenhart) were behind it

The mystery would need investigation.

Cliffhangers & Unresolved Threads

Major Cliffhangers

Tessell's Fate:

• Still inside challenge rooms when session ended
• Heavily damaged from multiple wrong answers
• At least one more room to complete
• Will he survive the accumulated damage?
• Will he complete the challenge or be eliminated?
• What happens to competitors who fail - just lose points or worse?

The Drugging Conspiracy:

• Who drugged the entire feast?
• How was it done so selectively (only competitors affected)?
• Why was Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade also drugged?
• Was this part of legitimate tournament design?
• Or is this sabotage/assassination attempt?
• Connected to Eagle/Falcon faction war?
• Related to The Bane's presence in Belendar?

The Crown Princess's Involvement:

• Was she intentionally targeted?
• Did she know about the drugging in advance?
• How did she wake before competitors?
• Was she given an antidote?
• Is she compromised or in danger?

Eagle Knight's Absence:

• Why wasn't Eagle Knight at feast?
• Eliminated from tournament?
• Fled? Imprisoned? Dead?
• Connected to drugging plot?
• Part of faction conspiracy?

Unresolved Threads

Tournament Implications:

• How do these rankings affect overall tournament standings?
• What is next tournament challenge?
• Will Ser Tessell Highfrost's potential failure disqualify him entirely?
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's goal of forcing military alliance - is his third place finish enough?

The Challenge Space:

• Where were those rooms physically located?
• Magical pocket dimension created by Eldrin Oakenhart?
• Pre-existing magical architecture?
• Could someone manipulate challenges from outside?

Political Situation:

• High King still ill - genuine sickness or assassination attempt?
• Crown Princess taking over duties - permanent or temporary?
• Lord Commander released - fully trusted again?
• White Falcon Knight still concealing identity - why?
• Faction war escalating behind scenes?

The Bane Connection:

• Is any of this connected to The Bane's presence in Belendar?
• Could The Bane be influencing tournament?
• Is someone corrupted manipulating events?
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian still investigating - what has he found?

Party Dynamics:

• Elik'r Stormswallow's exceptional performance vs Ser Tessell Highfrost's struggles
• How will rankings affect party reputation?
• Will Ser Tessell Highfrost's potential failure affect party standing?
• Elvva Beltavar recovering - when will she rejoin?

The Tournament of Wits and Wisdom

Nature of Challenge:

• Magical pocket dimension or space
• Five sequential rooms with escalating difficulty
• Each room inflicts different elemental damage for wrong answers
• Individual competition - no collaboration allowed
• Tests both intelligence and endurance (Constitution via HP)

Organisational Capabilities:

• Eldrin Oakenhart can create/access these challenge spaces
• Voice amplification spell reaches all rooms simultaneously
• Competitors can be teleported in and out

Historical Context:

• DM prepared 100 different riddles in advance
• Challenge designed to test wit, not just knowledge
• Riddles range from wordplay to logic to lateral thinking
• Some riddles have stumped DM's professional colleagues
• Five people total completed successfully - high failure rate

Magical Capabilities Demonstrated

Eldrin Oakenhart:

• Can create or access magical pocket dimensions
• Voice amplification across separate magical spaces
• Precise teleportation of multiple individuals simultaneously
• Monitoring capabilities to track competitor progress
• Sophisticated magical construction (five different elemental room types)

The Drugging:

• Sophisticated selective targeting (only competitors)
• Affected even Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade
• No one noticed until effects hit
• Suggests either:
  • Advanced magical poison/sleep spell
  • Inside knowledge of who would be affected
  • Access to food preparation
  • Conspiracy involving multiple people

Session Tone & Themes

Individual Struggle:

• Each competitor completely alone in challenge
• No one could help anyone else
• Success or failure purely individual
• Accumulated damage created increasing desperation
• Some riddles genuinely difficult even for smart people

Intelligence vs Knowledge:

• Challenge tested lateral thinking, not memorisation
• Wordplay and tricks more important than facts
• Several riddles designed to punish overthinking
• Pattern recognition rewarded (Elik'r Stormswallow's letter riddles)
• Classic riddles mixed with obscure ones

Tension and Relief:

• Individual struggles created tension
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's drunken celebration provided comic relief
• Elik'r Stormswallow's smooth success contrasted with Ser Tessell Highfrost's struggles
• Drugging reveal added sinister undertone

Mystery and Conspiracy:

• Who drugged the feast?
• Why was Crown Princess targeted?
• What's happening with Eagle Knight?
• Multiple threads suggesting larger plot

Competition:

• Party members competing against each other
• Rankings affecting tournament standing
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian pursuing military alliance goal
• Individual glory vs party success
• Performance publicly visible

Next Session Setup

Immediate Concerns:

• Ser Tessell Highfrost's fate - complete or fail?
• Other competitors still inside - who are they?
• Investigate the drugging conspiracy
• Tournament continues - what's next challenge?
• Elvva Beltavar recovering - when does she return?

Major Quest Hooks:

• Find out what happened to Eagle Knight
• Investigate Crown Princess's involvement/vulnerability
• Continue tracking The Bane's presence in Belendar

Character Development:

• Elik'r Stormswallow proved exceptional problem-solver
• Ser Tessell Highfrost struggling with confidence after poor performance
• ToooAh and Lady Odonia of Galantri solid middle-tier showings
• Party reputation boosted by three completions (if Ser Tessell Highfrost fails, may be diminished)

Political Situation:

• High King's health declining
• Crown Princess increasingly taking control
• Lord Commander back in favour
• Faction war continues in background
• Someone bold enough to drug royal feast

Tournament Stakes:

• Rankings now established
• Elik'r Stormswallow strong contender for overall victory
• Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's military alliance goal progressing
• Next challenge type unknown
• How many rounds remain?