Session 27 - Puzzles and Planning

Roster

Cyinth Agora,Lyra Everlight,Suraax Smith,Vith Pahlok

Session Overview

Session Status: Occurred

In Game Date: 23rd Ches 1509

Group Cup Points

NPC's

Isabrough,Zoei

Summary

A quiet day of homestudy turns into a deepening mystery as the students reconvene in the Biblioplex to unravel the secrets of the Pub That Crawls. Old rumours resurface, maps go astray, and animated books take offence at Suraax’s curiosity. The discovery of a hidden notebook — and the revelation of heat-reactive secrets within — gives the party their first concrete sequence of pubs. As plans solidify, concerns grow: each stop may bring its own trials, and time is not on their side. By night’s end, a risky solution presents itself — a teleporter, a shopkeeper, and a fixed date that will launch the crawl in earnest.

Homestudy at the Biblioplex

• The students are given a day dedicated to homestudy.
• They meet in the Biblioplex to catch up and investigate notes found on the Neverwinter Pubs, Inns & Taverns leaflet.
• Lyra and Cyinth discuss the leaflet’s sketchy markings.
• Suraax mentions she has also heard rumours of a mysterious pub in Neverwinter.
• Cyinth sends her Homunculus Servant to fetch a map of Neverwinter.
  • The servant returns with a map of Candlekeep instead, having failed its task.
• Cyinth asks Isabrough for assistance and retrieves the correct map.

Maps, Flyers, and First Clues

• While waiting for Cyinth to return, Lyra notices a flyer advertising Grifft, a new griffin taxi service operating in and around Neverwinter.
  • She removes the flyer and tucks it into her bag for later.
• With the Neverwinter map on the table, the party begins plotting points from the leaflet sketch.
• Suraax searches the shelves for additional reference material.

The Animated Book Incident

• While searching, Suraax is attacked by a swarm of animated books.
• She swiftly dispatches them with her axe.
• Among the remains, she notices a book titled:
  Notes on The Pub that Crawls Compiled by E. Zenithon.
• Recognising its importance, Suraax brings the book back to the table.
• The group begins deciphering the cryptic notes inside.

Heat and Hidden Text

• A blank page in the notebook draws the party’s attention.
• Closer inspection reveals a small symbol in the corner.
• The group deduces the symbol indicates the page should be heated.
• Wanting to avoid trouble in the Biblioplex, Cyinth suggests relocating to her dorm room.

Mead, Music, and Revelation

• In Cyinth’s dorm, the group shares some mead.
  • This is Suraax’s first ever drink, and it hits her particularly hard.
• Once settled, Lyra applies heat to the blank pages.
• Hidden text is revealed, reading:

  “Sequence matters. Wandering precedes reflection.
  Falsehood precedes drink.
  Drink precedes Dreaming.
  Dreaming precedes meandering.”

• After some debate — and Suraax singing “The Old Crawl Song” she found tucked into the back of the notebook — the party determines the correct order of the pubs:
  1. The Tall Tale
  2. The Frothing Flask
  3. The Lucid Dreamer
  4. The Rambling Toad
  5. The Beauty’s Mirror

Planning the Crawl

• Cyinth consults her copy of the Folly Guide - Neverwinter.
• Lyra reads the reviews aloud and voices concern:
  • Each pub appears to present its own unique challenge.
  • Not all of them may be safe — or suitable — for every party member.
• The group realises that travelling to Neverwinter on foot would take several days, causing them to miss too much class.
• They explore alternative travel options:
  • Flying and mundane transport are ruled out.
  • Someone suggests campus teleportation pads might connect off-site.

Securing the Teleporter

• Acting on this idea, Suraax runs off to find Zoei.
• Zoei explains that the student shop has a teleporter that can sometimes be used, if the shopkeeper is persuaded.
• Suraax heads straight to the student shop.
• With Lyra’s help — and an exchange of coin — the group secures access to the teleporter for the 15th of Tarsakh.
• Exhausted from planning, drinking, and revelations, the party calls it a night.

Ongoing Threads

• The Pub That Crawls – The sequence is known, but each stop promises unique trials and dangers.
• E. Zenithon’s Notes – Who compiled them, and how much more remains hidden?
• Grifft Flyer – A griffin taxi service may offer alternatives — or complications — in Neverwinter.
• Teleportation Access – The student shop teleporter provides fast travel, but may come with strings attached.
• Suraax and Mead – Her first drink was memorable… and may not be her last.