The Merchant of Moons
Roster
Session Overview
Session Status: Occurred
In Game Date: 25th - 26th Nightal 1508
Group Cup Points
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
|---|---|---|
| +/- 0 | +/- 0 | +/- 0 |
| 240 | 150 | 000 |
NPC's
Dramitia, Isabrough, Play Actors Drama Guild
Summary
A glittering opportunity turns into a web of intrigue when Lyra Everlight is summoned to audition for The Merchant of Moons, Silverquill’s most prestigious annual production. What begins as a simple performance quickly reveals hidden ledgers, forged signatures, and family secrets lurking beneath the stage’s polished veneer. Caught between reputation, manipulation, and a mysterious truth-binding sigil, Lyra’s debut becomes a play scripted by forces far larger — and far closer — than she imagined.
The Call to Audition
- A sealed letter from the Play Actors Drama Guild invites Lyra to audition for The Merchant of Moons, a Silverquill College Grand Production “strongly encouraged” by Professor Dramitia herself.
- Rumours whisper through the campus — this year’s play has a mysterious benefactor, someone with deep pockets and a vested interest in its cast.
- Upon arriving at the amphitheatre, Lyra’s name already gleams on the callboard: Lead Contender — “The Merchant of Moons.”
Dramitia greets her with sly praise. “A name like Everlight belongs above the title,” she purrs, adding that one of the patrons has taken a personal interest in her audition. Her quill hovers, already taking notes.
The Script that Writes Back
- During the rehearsal, Lyra’s script comes alive — glowing silver and rewriting itself. Her own handwriting appears between the lines:
“Everlight Mercantile Circle — Receipts — Patronage — Ledger No. 7B.” - A Witherbloom stagehand warns her in a low voice: “You didn’t see that. Last actor who questioned their script got… recast.”
- A flicker of movement reveals a cloaked figure observing from the shadows, gone before she can react.
When the group disperses, Lyra glimpses a ledger marked “Accounts” in Dramitia’s papers. It’s a clue she can’t ignore.
The Break-In at Midnight
- That night, Lyra returns to the empty amphitheatre. Twice she fumbles with her lockpick before finally opening Dramitia’s office.
- Inside, the ledger confirms her fears: “Everlight Trust Donations,” “Magical Material Imports,” and “Patronage via Silverquill Performance Fund” — all signed off by the initials E.V.
- As she copies notes, a sentient quill rises from the desk, its nib gleaming with awareness. It writes a single phrase in the air:
“Every performance is a confession.” - When Lyra tries to distract it, the quill lashes out, burning a silver sigil into her forearm — a mark that pulses faintly under her skin.
Truth Sigil
- Back in her dorm, Lyra investigates the mark to no avail. The next morning, she visits Isabrough, the head librarian, and learns it is a Truth Sigil — a form of magic that compels honesty, manipulates words, or exposes secrets.
- The book warns that such sigils cannot be easily removed:
“Without Divine Intervention, one can only Wish for its removal.”
She prays to her goddess for courage before her scheduled audition, finding solace in a calm warmth that steadies her resolve.
The Audition
- The stage glows with candlelight and anticipation. Dramitia presides from the centre row, and a hooded patron watches from behind.
- The monologue Lyra is given cuts too close to home — lines accusing a merchant family of greed and corruption. The subtext is unmistakable: it’s about the Everlight family.
- Choosing her words carefully, Lyra rewrites her truth mid-performance, altering lines to defend her family while concealing her defiance.
- She succeeds — Dramitia nods in approval while the patron grows agitated and abruptly leaves the hall.
Dramitia applauds. “You understand power — and when to turn it into poetry. The role is yours, Miss Everlight. It’s almost as if it were written for you.”
The Forged Letter
- Later that evening, a gold-sealed envelope slides under Lyra’s door. Inside:
- A bank slip dated the day before, marked “Everlight Trust Transfer — Merchant of Moons Production Fund.”
- A perfect forgery of Lyra’s own signature.
- And a handwritten note from Dramitia:
“Every story requires investment. Consider this your debut.”
The silver ink of the message glows faintly — the same hue as the sigil on her arm.
Ongoing Threads
- The Silverquill Grand Production – The Merchant of Moons looms ahead, its script laced with family secrets and manipulation. Lyra now holds the lead role — and a curse of truth.
- The Everlight Ledger – Evidence of her family’s financial dealings sits buried within Dramitia’s accounts. The initials E.V. raise troubling implications.
- The Truth Sigil – Its purpose remains uncertain, but it may compel honesty, reveal hidden truths, or alter Lyra’s words at a critical moment.
- The Patron’s Identity – The hooded figure’s sudden departure hints at a deeper connection between the benefactor, Dramitia, and the Everlight name.
- Dramitia’s Game – The professor’s poetic manipulations suggest the play is only the stage for something far more dangerous — a performance where Lyra’s every word may be used against her.