Game sessions 2 and 3 were kind of short on play it seems.  We probably talked too much about non-D&D stuff and I believe our wanderings took up much of the sessions.

      We found a set of stairs and acended further into the maze of tunnels.  It was not long before th local denizens came calling.  Something moved in the darkness and Saldrin cast a LIGHT spell causing our shadowy attacker to flee into the darkness.  THe elves in the party noticed they could once again see body heat.  We followed our attacker into the tunnels but found our way blocked by rubble and so we headed back into the magical darkness once more.  After some time, we entered a room and were attacked by skeleton warriors.  By luck we managed to survivethe fight although perhaps Hiker and Andue played a significant part in generating that luck.  We found various potions and Thief took one of them and was healed.  The party seemed to believe he deserved the potion dispite his disrespect towards his betters, the mages.  He will have to learn some humity is he is to survive long.  I believe Andue has taken him under his wing and will explain to him his proper place in life.  As such I expect no further insolence from him.  Sladrin and I jeach took a potion and did not fare well but we now know the acrid taste of poison.  

     Sometime during our journey we found a room with an obelisk.  As each of the mages touched it we found we could immediately recall one spell we had cast earlier in the week; a most fortuitous find.  Much of our time was spent wandering, hoping to luck upon a way out of the tunnel.  The fighters moved too slowly for my taste and often spent a great deal of time determining the exact dimensions of the rooms we encountered.  This was utterly futile as the magical darkness made mapping impossible and they quickly forgot the information as new rooms were found.  I began to fear we would not find our way out.

     After many hours of wandering, sleep weighs heavy upon us.  Finally we fall asleep in a corner, exhausted from our ordeal.  It seemed as if days had passsed before we awoke but we found later that it had been but a few hours.  We returned to the obelisk in order to use its light to read our spell books.  It was not until after we arrived that we realized it would tak eanother day of rest to reagin our spells.  That was not a luxury we could afford as we were scheduled to retuen this very day to verify our acceptance into the Great School.  I did however tak ethe time to make notes of our previous journey in my journal.

    We proceeded back into the inky blackness.  Some time later, we heard a clicking sound of unknown origin.  Notlong after we found it came from a giant scorpion.  Knowing that the viel creature possessed a posionous sting, I allowed the fighters to move to the front of the group.  Their armor would provide better protection than my robes.  At this point I had a vision of the party being eaten by the creature.  Fortune smiled upon us and Hiker and the other fighters quickly reduced it to a harmless paste.  

   A bit further on, we came into a well lit room.  Here a shade of Thanrae appeared before us.  The others were filled with dread but I noticed that it appeared drawn to me.  Remembering the talisman I carried, I told the others to hold their attacks.  The shade asked for the amulet and used ot to take over my body.  I remember nothing of the events I shall describe and am only relaying information gleaned from tthe others.  Apparently the amulet recorded the Thanrae's murder as it happened.  Yriss and another were responsible, a fact that did not surprise me at all.  Thranrae directed us to return the amulet to Angan in order to prove our innocence and appease his spirit.  The shade offered to answer any questions we had, but my companions could think of none save how to exit the cavern and it was quickly given to them.  They did not have the foresight to ask why Yriss killed Thanrae or even who the accomplice was.  I suppose they were under a bit of stress and the oversight is understandable (even if I would not have made such a mistake).  Thanrae's shade bis us use the talisman wisely.

    As we moved towards the exit, we ran into two fighters and the mage that accused us of the murder at the inn.  They told us they were sent to ensure we never left the caverns.  Their incompetance held a heavy penalty.  We continued on and approached two huge, iron doors.  Etched upon them were words that identified them as a gateway to the Brazier Empire (an old term for Glantri).  We deduced that behind them were the canals buthow were we to breech such an obstacle?  Saldrin remembered that Zeradon told us there were potions we needed to escape and so a search was begun in earnest.  It was not long before we found an alcove containing 4 bottles.  Above it was a sign "Put back what you do not use".  Each of us downed a dose of the potions of what we believed must be water breathing.  Crystalina wanted to slip Thief a dose of poison instead and I was wont to agree with her.  However, he might prove useful later and I convinced her to spare him for the moment.  One of these days he will severely overstep his bounds and his carcass shall serve as fodder for the creatures of the night.  But not of this very night.  Once ready, we pulled a lever that allowed water to fill the room.  Thief panicked like a yong school girl and Andue sat on the floor hoping that if we were wrong about the potions his end would be swift.  We were all just fine and soon found a ladder that led to the surface near the marketplace only to be met by a mob shouting "murderers!".  Had we escaped the tunnel only to be beaten to death by third-class rabble?  Suddenly Angan appeared and we told him of the amulet.  He whisked us back to the School and into the office of his master, Uerd-al -aras.   Unbelievably the hoel that had swallowed us was gone and the ground was once more solid.  Uerd-al-aras looked at the amulet and was convinced of our innocence.  His anger towards Yriss was eveident in his scowl as he promised she would be dealt with swiftly and severely.  Some of my companions went with a group of guards to arrst her but I fent it was prudent to keep a safe distance.  As I feared, she escaped capture using a teleport spell and remains free.  

    As gratitude for our bringing the real murderer to justice (and possibly as an apology for our false accusation) Christilina,Saldrin and I received a year fo free tuition at the Great School.  Our companions each received a magical weapon (+1) suitable to their profession.  Curriculum guidance and a syllabus were provided and we were infomed that class would begin 9 days hence.  Until then we were free to do as we chose.

     My studies, combined with the casting of a few spells in the caverns have allowed me to become a more proficient mage (advanced to 2nd level).  None of my fellow mages have advanced so quickly but that is to be expected.  They do not have my level of raw talent.  I am looking forward to the start of classes and the chance to further my abilities.  It seems that the class schedule will even allow for adequate time for a bit more adventuring.

That was the end of sessions 2 and 3.  More to come.  Please feel free to make comments.  

In celebration of the return of the Inn, I thought I would post a story of sorts based on a tabletop game I played in years ago.  It is a journal kept by my character.  Unlike player notes that are intended to help keep track of the actual game, this is a fictional account of the game recorded from the point of view of the character and was sent to the group as a way to develop backstory and offer a bit of humor at times.  Algrak was a lawful evil mage who traveled with a basically good group.  A magical amulet hid is evil alignment, he was a man who abided by the letter of an agreement not necessarily the intent and who sought to slowly turn others to the evil side.    

Journal of Algrak the Black  

                Finally the 4^th of Faumont has arrived and the Day of Adulthood ceremony is behind me.  Today I am counted as a man and am able to travel to Glantri City to seek admission into the Great School of Magic.  I have no doubt they will recognize my skills and grant me admission.  What an excellent mage I shall become.

                I arrived early and sought a room at one of the local establishments known as the Red Drake Inn.  While eating breakfast, I was joined at my table by some rather interesting individuals.  Two of them were fellow prodigies of the mystical arts.  The first fellow, the one with scaly skin, introduced himself as Saldrin.  He is a quiet fellow and keeps to himself much of the time.  He did however recognize my natural leadership ability and quickly began to support my views.  The second mage introduced herself as Crystalinia.  She is a bit more outspoken but his is easy to overlook as she is rather ravishing and makes pleasant company.  Unfortunately, not everyone was a mage.  Andue, a human ranger, and “Hiker” a centaur ranger seem to be a close knit pair.  Lastly, there is an elvin thief who fancies himself a scout.  He seemed confused as to the concept of a name and gave none.  Therefore, I shall call him “Thief” until such time as he deems it appropriate to announce his true name.  I will have to keep an eye on this one, I sense trouble.

                After breakfast, we mages set out for the Great School.  For some unknown reason, the others decided to tag along.  Angan Forester met us and introduced himself as the Dean of Admissions.  He led us into one of the high towers and to my surprise even allowed the non-mages to accompany us.  Testing for admission began in earnest after a warning to Andue, Hiker and Thief that they were to sit quietly and touch nothing.  We were drilled on our knowledge of spells and given various other aptitude type tests.  I must say that we all did quite well.  Partway through the testing, a huge explosion rocked the tower and I followed Angan outside to see what had occurred.  The fighters all drew their swords, as if that would be of any help against a great and powerful mage.  In the courtyard two figures, one a flaxen haired woman and the other an older dark-haired man, appeared to be ready for a great magical fight.  Angan quickly admonished them to fill out the proper forms before beginning any wizard duels and they skulked off like chastised children.  Once back inside, Angan identified them as Yriss Ghuth, an instructor, and Thanrae Sycloe, a researcher.  The remainder of the morning was filled with more testing and the occasional reminder to the non-mages to behave.  I have never the polymorph other spell and was hoping for a demonstration.  Alas, it was not to be today.  We were instructed to return in two days for the results.  I am sure that this is just a formality and the delay is likely due to the scores my companions received.  I would likely have been accepted on the spot without their presence. 

                As our afternoon was free, I decided to visit my friend, Antony.  He is a junior member of the Spokeman’s Guild.  He could prove a valuable ally in this city.  We traveled by gondola with Sergio as our guide.  As we glided along, he pointed out many interesting sites.  Upon our arrival (the others had followed along like sheep) I found that Antony worked for Mickquel, a spokesman for Prince Ranar who is the ruler of Glantri.  My friend may be valuable indeed.  Unfortunately, Antony was in session and would not return until tomorrow morning.  As it was approaching lunchtime, we left for the marketplace.

                                The marketplace was exactly what I expected; a noisy, boisterous mob.  Andue spied an inn called the Lavender Crawfish and requested we dine there.  As no one raised a voice against the idea, in we went.  The boiled crawfish were exquisite.  Andue tried the local delicacy, lavender crawfish, that turned out to be rather spicy and left him with lips colored in such a manner as to cause even the local prostitutes to stare.  Lavender is not his best color. 

                                Since many of us had traveled far that day, we headed towards the Red Drake.  Amazingly our gondolier for this journey was Sergio’s cousin, Antonio.  I think I see a bias in the hiring rules for the local guide’s guild.  We returned home, more knowledgeable about the sites in Glantri City.

                                Uopn our arrival, we headed to out room.  As we opened the door. We were greeted by the sight of a corpse with a dagger in its back.  We quickly identified it as Thanrae.  Interestingly, the dagger protruding from his back belonged to Thief.  He immediately pointed out that he was with us all day in the tower.  I am not sure what to think of a thief who has his possessions stolen.  We did not have long to ponder the situation.  As we turned to descend the stairs and report the incident, the town guard was waiting for us in the hall.  Several heavily armed guards pushed us back into the room and accused us of murder.  The constable gave them a sign as if to say “kill them”.  We opted to flee out the window.  I found it harder than usual to run as if I was carrying extra weight in my backpack.  A brief stop and inspection yielded an amulet and a note.  The author begged us to safeguard the amulet and return it to Angan.  Seeing no other alternative and remembering that the School had truth spells that would vindicate us, we made haste to the Great School.

                                We ran with lightning bolts from the constable providing unwelcomed light.  Luck was with us a gondola was immediately available.  During our travel I noticed our gondolier was deathly pale and robed in all black.  Perhaps the rumors of vampires freely roaming the streets were true.  At that moment I could not have cared if our boatman was one of the old, evil gods incarnate as he was moving us away from the guards. 

                                As we approached the Great School, we realized it was shut for the night.  It never occurred to us that it might not be open as the rest of the city was teaming with activity.  While we were contemplating our next move, a wizard ambushed us from the rooftop.  We managed to avoid the first few lightning bolts but the last one caused the ground beneath us to crumble and we dropped into a dark void.  The icy waters of an underground river saved us from a certain death from the fall.  Cold and weak we managed to grab a ledge and scramble back onto solid ground.

                                Unable to see in the vile blackness, it was surely a magical darkness as even the elves could not see, we stumbled along and ran headlong into two snakes.  The fighters quickly dispatched them.  I suppose they do serve a purpose after all.  Continuing along, we came to a locked door.  Once more, brute strength proved valuable as the fighters broke the door from its hinges and we passed into a tunnel system.  We wandered around for some time in the darkness.  At one point, I fell into a pit while a carrion crawler attacked my companions.  Hiker killed the beast single-handedly and I found a pouch on a decaying body.  I struggled not to be overcome by the putrid scent and managed, with a bit of help, to escape the pit. 

                                Some time later we came upon a great beast imprisoned in a chamber.  After securing its word that it would not harm us, we freed it from its chains.  He introduced himself as Zeradon, a lamasu, and he healed me of my wounds.  The stink of goodness was all around him, but he did serve a useful purpose.  Zeradon had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the face of a human. He confirmed my suspicion that the darkness was magical.  It had been growing over the past years and he was afraid it would one day take over the entire world.  After telling us that there were potions of great use nearby, he teleported away. 

This was the end of game session 1.  I will continue the story in the coming days.  Hope you enjoy the journal   

Is there a link to Discord?  Was there once but can't rememeber how i got there

It is posted.  I missed a replay from Brom and was waiting for more info before posting but it was already in my PMs.  

Ghalan returned with the kid.  "Well he didn't know much but he did know enough.  Here's what we talked about."

 Ghlahn leads the kid into the adjoining room and motions for him to sit on the bed before taking a seat in a chair. "Don' t be scared, kid. All we are gonna do is talk. In that other room are a whole bunch of people who are trying to figure out what to do with you. Should they let you stay with the mom you now know, take you back to your real mom, or just sell you to the highest bidder. For some reason, people want to get their hands on you and we don't know why. What they won't ask you is what you want to do. That is why I needed to get you alone, so I could ask you if you know why so many groups are interested in you and what you want to happen. I can try to help make sure your wishes are at least considered. Can't guarantee an outcome but at least you will have some input."  

Jase quietly stares up at the scary man and swallows. His eyes begin to slowly shift to the right, taking in objects in the room before moving on to another. After a time, he shakes his head, "I can't think of anything. I'm just a kid.

"But please, don't let them take me away from Rya!"

"How long have you and Rya been together? How did you meet? I'll try to get them to keep you together but I need a reason to give them to explain why."

"She started talking to me a while ago—months ago," Jase anxiously scratches at his arm. "She was a cleaning lady at the school and then... then she started to explain to me what had happened and I just knew it was true.

"Alys can't be my real mom. She doesn't even let me call her mom. She's only interested in my test scores and whether I'm putting in my best effort. She's mean. If anyone else in the school gets a higher score than me, she shows up and yells at me... she's scary. 

"I want to go with Rya. She's nice. She doesn't care about my scores, she just wants to make sure I'm happy."

GHALAHN is good with any decision the group makes.  

Kudos to Tann for his research

"You want a reason to trust me?  Well how about I kept that sec team from killing all of you by bringing them to me in the garage instead of letting them enter the building and find you almost while almost dying in the process.  How about not holding a grudge against anyone for leaving me in that garage without comms?  Maybe for killing those guys that jumped us in the alley instead of just watching.  Or not starting a fight in the Hover jeep when you got hostile towards me?  I completely forgot about the sec team info until you mentioned it and I then gave it to Blossum.  I trust you all to get your part of the job done.  Don't flip a coin and blame the outcome on luck as that just shows distrust. Either you trust your teammates or you find new ones.   

Casino trusts Ghalan enough to watch over him with a sniper rifle and wants his help in finding Vegas but doesn't trust him to talk to a kid.  That makes no sense.  

How did casino know about the info he is accusing Ghalahn of holding back if only Ghalahn knew it.  You mixed player knowledge into character knowledge and are using it to promote trouble in the party.  And yes your character can flip a switch and be trusting if you as a player want it to happen.  Players control the characters not the other way around.  

"So that's how you two want to play this?  Fine, you figure it out all on your own.  These petty actions and overt distrust of me is putting Jace in danger, the team in danger and reducing the chance of finding Vegas alive.  You let me know when you are ready to let me do what I can do to help out."  Ghalan sat back down.  "Sorry kid, change of plans.  Looks like we are staying right here.

Can we as players maybe back off a bit on characters distrust and trying to control actions of others?  Making it a bit less than fun,  We all talk about the need to be a team and each character using skill.  Ghalahn has interogation skill and would like to talk to the kid in a friendly manner and convince him he is a friend.  If others block it then the whole team will just suffer.

"Aya, the kid and me are just gonna talk.  Maybe he can remember something important, even if he doesn't know it's important.  We need a quiet spot.". Looking at Casino and then Echo, "You can stay put right there, we don't need a chaperone."

No tag alongs are needed.

Yes, Ghalahn wants to talk to the kid without distractions.  Hoping to get some idea of why so many folks want him and why they are willing to pay so much.  

"Hey kid, how about you and me check out the other room?  Gotta make sure it is all safe."  Ghalahn wants a few moments to talk with the kid and also make sure there is no danger lurking.  

He activates his IR vision and scans the adjoing room to the current room and then the one nest to the other room.

Ghalan leans forward and taps Blossum on the shoulder.  "Got some info you might be able to use to help locate Vegas.  It's not much.  When I took out that sec team...". He tells her everything he can remember; the fight, the uniforms, the APC and the radio call.  He knows the team will be going after Vegas in the end and maybe Blossum can find something to increase their chance of survival.

 "Which of us is not a machine of some sort?  I am bio-mechanical and the rest of you are biological machines.  My form of machine just happens to be superior in almost every way.  If it makes you feel more self-importnat to blame others and act macho to cover your inferior abilites Casino that is your choice.  I have done noting but agree that we need to pause, make a plan and then find your friend yet you continue to be confrontational.  I suggest you reevaluate the manner in which you seek to convince others to assist you. "

Ghalahn turns to Charlie. "Line Sierra: small group less than 10.  Line Alpha: bickering.  Line Lima:  Right here.  Line Uniform: uncertain.  Line Tango: Right now.  Line Echo: mixed small arms and a hover Jeep"  

Ghalan looked at Casino.  "Yeah I kiled those seven men.  I killed them myself since you and the others where doing your own thing and I was watching your back.  It was my life on the line there and I took care of the situation.  I could have just let them find all of you and kill you.  That was their plan I believe.  I have no family so nothing there for me to lose.  As for friends, I have very few of those.  Just a fact of my life.  If you want to run off on your own that is your choice.  You won't come back if you do.  The folks who have Vegas are packing serious firepower and have deep pockets.  I was lucky to escape that sec team; you would have died in that garage.  I never said I wouldn't help find your friend but I am not going to run off half-cocked looking for death.  As for the threats, you can just tone it down.  We are on the same team right now."    

"Let me take a look at it and see what kind of work it will require before I agree.  Might be something I can handle, might not be. "

All character play is good.  Ghalan understands Casino's drive to find Vegas he just doesn't share the sentiment.  Credits talk.

  "You shouldn't get paid for finding your friend or you wouldn't be much of a friend.  But, he's not my friend and I don't do charity work.  Figure some of the others might agree.  If you want to hire me that's fine or you can make some calls and see who else might finance the search.  Either way there needs to be a plan. "

   Ghalan took stock of the situation.  The group had the package, he had taken no real damage and soon they would be paid.  As far as he was concerned the job had been a success.  He sensed several team members were concerned about somthing "not feeling right" but that was bit of a foreign concept for him.  Casino seemed intent to rush after Vegas without even waiting to get paid and no real plan developed.  Ghalan took the job for the credits, he was not leaving those on the table.  As for Vegas he was not really concerned if he was found or not.  But, there might be those who were and would be willing to pay for his safe return.  In that case he was all for finding him.  "I know you all have concerns about the why of the mission we completed and some of you are worried about Vegas.  We signed on to find the kid and deliverhim and that is what we should do.  What happens after that is none of my concern.  With Vegas missing, I am sure he has friends who might have some interest in finding him.  And I mean freinds other than Casino.  Why not get paid to do what you already plan to do big guy?  We need a solid plan before we run off chasing ghosts.  You have me along in large part to provide overwatch and keep you all safe so right now the best way I can keep you safe is to keep us focused and together."

I get that each player is free to play their character as they want but when a player had their character quit being a team playe and makes them focused only on what they want it makes it tough on other players.  Casino may want to find Vegas but other characters may have other ideas.  The players need to keep in mind it is a group game.