After a good few months of downtime, the group starts to hear rumblings from their people that not all is well at Candlemire. The Willo Wisps have grown in number and all who get to close feel a great unease. Wanting to appease their people, the group decides its time to return.

The group enter’s the mysterious Candlemire tomb. They encounter undead Pharasmins who have been in a timeless conflict with a Cult of Yog Sothoth. After some persuasion, the group is able to prove that they want to help.

King Irovelli fries! The time for talk is over. King Irovelli confronts the group. Seeking to take them out once and for all. He puts on a good fight but the group beats him.

The King’s Arrival

After licking their wounds from the fight with Juung. The party hears slow clapping approaching them down the hall.

The king strides in with his Naga Consort. He offers the group diplomacy. Saying they could rule the stolen lands together. Possibly even expand their kingdoms out of the stolen lands.

Inspired by a recent video I watched I thought I might talk a little about styles of play in TTRPGs. Different tables run games differently. No table will play exactly the same. In the video above, the commentator talks about 8 different play styles. I will be simplifying these down to 3 broad styles. I will talk about how these styles of game tend to be run, how we can prep to run a game in this style, and some pros and cons of the style as well.

The group takes on the palace treasury. Evades a trapped chest and is ready to take on king Irovelli.

Treasure

The king stored his treasure in one of the castle basements. The room also doubled as a winery. Holding some of the kingdom’s most precious wines.

The group spots a chest. However, Rox is able to sense that not all is well. After some further examination, the group discovers that it is armed with an alarm spell.

5e has always been the titan of the ttrpg space. For years and years, it was synonymous with ttrpgs. Despite this, I had never really looked into the system. I knew about it only in the periphery. Second hand accounts from others who had played the system for years. The first game I actually got to play was Pf2. I never read about 5e let alone played it… Till now.

The group is pushed to their limits with some big fights. The group encounters a “friend” within the castle and Rox, after learning about his families’ location many many sessions ago, finally saves them.

Throwing Down in the Thrown Room

After being transported to the castle by the nimph, the group steps into the thrown room.

It was empty but not for long. While the group was examining the king’s chair, his lieutenants enter.

The group defeats an ancient ghost who trapped a water nimph and starts the next big adventure location: The king’s palace!

The Gardener

The words of the mercenaries stationed here where true! The Abby has long been haunted by a powerful malevolent spirit. The group encounters at the end of a damp cave.

The spirit is not alone, feeding on it’s torment are several Will’o Wisps! The group enters combat right away.

The group makes it to the whiterose abby! They go looking for a super weapon but find more mundane but still helpful things instead.

Giant Stomps Off

On the road to the Abby the group crosses paths with a giant grumbling under his breath.

The group saids they are tax collectors and ask about what the giant is doing.

The giant tells them that the Abby has some folks stationed there. He also instructs the group to take the rat for everything hes got.

The Cypher System is a game system created by the folks over at Monte Cook Games. The system is less full game and more of toolbox for GMs to take and use to create their own games.

Less D&D, more GURPS.

My experience running the system is limited to a mini 3 shot campaign and some solo sessions. Despite this, the system has stayed in my mind due to its unique nature and elegance.

The group participates in something called the Rushlight Tournament! Winning a prize.

They also come face to face with King Irvetti for the first time! Learning about him and getting to know what makes him tick.

Arrival and Festivities

The Tournament is more of a grand carnival with games and food all over. The group is able to have some fun interacting with the locals and enjoying the show.

After a short time, the group is summoned to meet king Irovetti himself. They agree to see him.