Mysteries of Mystara 001

Mysteries of Mystara
Session 001

A Convergence of Wanderers

210814

Veseya

Five recent strangers have converged on the small mountain town of Veseya in northern Karameikos. Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, a Celestial warrior on the run from the Heldannic Knights, and Malachai the Faetouched Faun Woodland Defender, have become traveling companions and caravan guards. Vlajic “Lucky Savage” Savago, a Traladaran bard and Dak, a Makai fluid mage, have made each other’s acquaintance after traveling upriver on the same boat. Panya Masika, the “Little Mouse,” a bronze skinned Nithian monk stranded out of time, somehow displaced through the centuries, watches and follows these other four after seeing them repeatedly in her dreams. 

Malachai, the Faetouched Wilderness Defender
(drawn by the player/ artist himself)

The four recent strangers also have another thread in common, they have all crossed paths, shared wine, befriended, or bailed out a Hin rogue and adventurer, Fergus Proudsun. An overheard conversation about him brought Dak and Lucky to speak with Malachai and Talyn about him and that in turn draws in Panya as well. 

Lucky Savage, the Traladaran bard

The Lucky Savage finds a local tavern and sets himself up as the entertainment for the evening. Dak follows him in to the drinking establishment and uses some magic to make the mugs and plates of some patrons dance awkwardly along with some of Lucky’s songs. Knowing they have a long day ahead of them, Talyn and Malachai complete their duties for the caravan and get to sleep. Panya finds a hard spot on the ground near the caravan to sleep as well, ready to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to perform her hours-long daily ritual based on Thothian Philosophies.

Tsorvano, the caravan master

The five find themselves traveling with Tsorvano, a Ylari caravan master, north to Castellan Keep, in the far wilderness reaches of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. The trip is expected to take three days as they make their way from Veseya to Bergoi, then Novaci, then finally, to the Keep itself. The first day of travel leads the caravan to something of an ambush by 4 strange bandits. After dispatching the highwaymen with spell and steel, they are tied up to be brought to justice at the next village. While tending to their bleeding wounds, Dak and Panya take notice of something strange. Each of the men has flaky, blue skin around their eyes, and upon closer examination, they each have blue crystalline growths behind their ears. The bandits, unable or unwilling to talk, are no help in figuring out this mystery. 

Battle with the bandits

A short time later, the caravan comes across an unfortunate scene. A traveling merchant, a Hin named Issac, had been attacked on the road. His cart was ransacked and he was left for dead with a crossbow bolt sticking out of his side. He was helped and his wound stabilized while others gathered up his belongings and managed to get his horse, Bob, hooked back to the cart. 

Dak the Makai fluid mage

Now with four bandits and one wounded merchant, Tsorvano’s caravan continued on to Bergoi where the local law enforcement was more than happy to take the bandits into custody, paying a small but welcome reward for doing so. The local Traladaran priestess, an Elf woman named Marla was happy to help get Issac the merchant back on his hairy feet. She was also helpful in selling the group some healing supplies. Talyn spent some time chatting with her later about the traditional religion of Karameikos and how the Grand Duke was attempting to subvert the Traladaran people by including their three Patrons in the pantheon of the Church of Karameikos. Talyn finds it fascinating that not all Immortal Patrons demand justice at the end of a blade.

Bergoi

Lucky and Dak again visit a local tavern to entertain the local miners and townsfolk. Again, Lucky hits all the right chords, though on this night, Dak over indulges himself in drink and makes a bit of a mess of himself. Malachai and Panya once again turn in early, sleeping outside near the caravan. Lucky earns his keep again and makes a few coins in tips as well while Dak wakes up outside with no shirt on. He also finds he spent a bit too much on drinks. 

Panya Masika, Nithian monk

Once again, the caravan gets on the road, traveling north deeper and deeper into the mountainous landscape. Along the road, which is narrow, but well maintained, they run across two travelers heading south to business in Veseya. They ask of the group is heading to the Keep to attend or participate in the big tournament being held there the following week. While none in the group had heard of the tournament, it does sound intriguing to some, though Panya struggles with the idea of hurting each other for money. The day’s trek is long and gruelling but finally they reach Novaci, the smallest of the three villages visited. 

Talyn Vanyilam, Celestial warrior

This village is similar to the other two, populated by miners, wooden palisade defenses, lots of Duke’s Men and other mercenary guards as well. Novaci is surrounded by more farmland and a Traladaran monastery lies on the rocky heights nearby. Panya, who had recently been residing in this monastery, decides to hike up to check in. Despite two taverns to choose from, Lucky decides he is ready for a night off and instead just finds a room at the local tavern. Dak, still nursing a hangover from the previous evening, follows suit. Malachai visits the outskirts of Novaci, looking for some owls he had heard on the way in. Finally, after some strolling around,  he is able to locate the bird’s nest. 

Novaci

Session Notes

The first session of a new campaign. We recently finished our 10+ year Varisian campaign and decided to visit one of the original game settings, Mystara. My favorite. Still playing virtually for at least a few more months while the pandemic rages around us. Hopefully soon we will be able to get together in person again!

Leading up to this campaign, we did individual play by post style gaming for several weeks. It helped to get the players familiar and embedded into the setting and really allowed us to develop the characters in some cases. I will be posting those in the near future. 

Cast of Characters:

Malachai, Faetouched, Wilderness Defender - played by JeCorey H
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, teenage Celestial warrior on the run - played by Don K
Dak, a Makai islander fluid mage - played by Ben L
Panya Masika, a bronze skinned Nithian monke stranded out of time - played by Carol C
Vlajic Savago, the Lucky Savage, a Traladaran bard - played by Dan E

and GMJasonGURPS as the DM