Adventure 1 (Towers)

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First Adventure

Act 1: Homecoming

Zoom in from high above the hilly forest, down through the trees to a dirt trail. A man, Andon Essonay, is walking.

Mike describes Andon.

Cut to a posh room in the palace. Eisandre is here, waiting for her lady with the dress she will wear tonight.

Elisiana has just returned to the palace in Talienne after a long stretch away from home. She's been studying wizardry with Ermanzian the Blind in his mage's tower.

Lisa describes Elisiana in her current state.

Eisandre is her girlhood friend but the two have largely been separated except for letters and occasional holiday visits.

Get reactions from those two.

Cut to the twins, Tyrus and Keilyn, in the court of their father, Rusland. They have been apart for some number of weeks while Tyrus was out roaming the forests but now they're back together.

Rusland sits atop his large wooden throne. He is slumped over and his crown sits crooked on his head and curly black hair spills out the sides. He has had too many cups of wine. He makes smalltalk with his children.

Jesse and SarahScott describe Tyrus and Keilyn.

"So were you able to contact the Druids?" he asks. He has been hounding Tyrus to locate the Druids and see if he can secure their blessing for Rusland as Scion.

Short role-play scene.

BANG #1: The conversation is cut short as a flourish of trumpets emanates through the window from outside and a herald announces the arrival of the Andefan of Berus in the courtyard below. Rusland attempts to stand but gets only half way before stumbling back into his seat. He's pissed as a newt. Servants begin scrambling, not knowing what to do, arguing various strategies for hiding the king's drunkenness from the dignitaries.

Let the twins react. Can they let Dad be seen by royalty?

Flash forward. Amidst the cheers of the townsfolk and some feinting of girls, Andon arrives in Talienne and makes his way up the cobblestone streets to the castle. Bards follow him up the long road up the mountain, singing songs of his great deeds in battle... and in bed.

"You're late," scowls the aging master-of-arms at the gatehouse, followed by a loving rap upside the head. "Your father is waiting for you in the court. Hurry up!"

Inside the palace, the doors to the courtroom open dramatically, and Andon steps in. All the children are there. Everyone stops momentarily to see who might interrupt.

Mike, how does Andon make his entrance?

Let Mike make a brief introduction, then interrupt:

Flash back a half hour.

Rusland summons all his children to the throne room. Olandrion and Mirela are there. (Andon is still on the road.)

Are Keilyn, Tyrus, and Elisiana there? Eisandre probably follows Elisiana.

Rusland grumbles that Andon (and any other child) is missing. "Where is Andon? He was supposed to be here two nights ago!" He is grumpy and drunk, but not angry. "Has he come through the gates yet?"

"No, my liege," answers the master-at-arms.

If necessary, the king sends people to find the remaining family members and bring them to the court.

Rusland speaks once everyone (except Andon) is assembled. A servant distributes cups of wine to everyone.

"Well, all right. I wanted everyone to be here, but I guess we'll have to do without Andon. I wanted to raise a private toast -- before the ceremony -- to my oldest son, Olandrion, who is getting married today. This wedding will strengthen the good bonds between Essonay and Berus and ensure that we have allies against our greatest enemy: Csyani, the Sorcerer of Talazc. In these times --"

"Father..." At that moment, Olandrion cuts him off. "Father, I am not getting married."

Act 2: Someone Is Getting Married

Andon enters.

Mike, do it again.

Let the other players react to that bit of good news and catch up Andon.

BANG #2: Eventually, Rusland puts his foot down. "Someone is getting married tonight. I don't care if it's you or you or you," he says, pointing at each of his three sons, "but one of you is marrying the Defan of Belus."

Let the players react.