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Session 1

The Ship

Introduction

As the sun descends beneath the horizon, its fading light casts elongated shadows over an endless expanse of golden sand dunes. You find yourself aboard a medium-sized sand sailing boat, its wooden deck rhythmically creaking underfoot, harmonizing with the distant, haunting howl of the desert winds.

At the helm, a figure exudes confidence, hands firmly gripping the wheel, guiding the ship with a seasoned mariner's expertise. Beside them, another figure, vigilant and precise, adjusts the sails and handles various ropes with practiced efficiency, their eyes constantly scanning the horizon.

The deck hosts a diverse assembly of individuals, most of whom display a comfortable familiarity with one another, engaging in light conversation and camaraderie. Off to one side, an array of large sacks and small barrels are neatly stacked, guarded by two men whose alert gazes sweep the surroundings.

One guard’s attention is drawn to a striking figure: a large man with deep blue skin and stark white hair, seated calmly across from him. Their eyes meet, and a silent contest begins. The guard's face, initially curious, soon twists into discomfort, outmatched by the blue-skinned man's dominating stare. Feeling overpowered, the guard reluctantly diverts his gaze.

(Braden please introduce your character)

At the bow, a young human exhibits a mesmerising blend of balance and focus. Suspended upside down, he seems to defy the boat's tumultuous motion, his hair playfully tousled by the wind. Completely absorbed in his studies, he scrutinises the ship's dynamics, his eyes flicking back and forth between the landscape and the scribbled notes in his notebook.

(CJ please introduce your character)

Centred at the ships rear, an individual adorned in intricate gold-threaded armour stands in a state of deep meditation, his eyes are closed, and he exudes an aura of tranquility. A glinting gold amulet hangs from his belt, complementing the sword that rests by his side.

(Kyle please introduce your character)

Nearby, a man in armour that seems to be crafted from the very essence of nature gently calms a large, visibly distressed dragon. The dragon’s agitation at the boat’s jarring movements over the sand dunes is soothed by the man's serene demeanour and gentle touch, a testament to their deep bond.

(Jake please introduce your character)

Encounter

As the sand sailing boat cuts through the dunes of the vast desert, the party finds themselves in a precarious situation. The atmosphere on the ship is tense, with the crew of the Red Sands exhibiting signs of uncertainty. The two sandsailers tirelessly handle the ship's operations, but their attention is divided between their duties and the unfolding events.

Carrow, currently bound and sedated, lies within a sack on the deck. The burly member of the Red Sands has taken his place, surrounded by sacks and barrels of unknown contents. Whispers among the Red Sands members indicate internal conflict, with some expressing doubt about the course of action.

At a certain point, one of the Red Sands members, unable to tolerate the uncertainty, seizes the sack containing Carrow and attempts to cast it overboard. Carrow, having made successive Constitution saves, regains consciousness just as the sack is about to be discarded. The bag starts moving, and it's clear that a confrontation is imminent.

The party, positioned on the deck, must now react swiftly. As the Red Sands member attempts to dispose of Carrow, a skirmish breaks out between the party and the Red Sands. Carrow may already be tossed overboard during the scuffle, adding urgency to the situation.

Amidst the chaos, the leader of the Red Sands makes a decisive move. Declaring that there can be no witnesses, he grabs a rope and forcefully tilts the ship, initiating a hard half-roll. The sudden movement throws the party and the Red Sands members into disarray. The party members must make Dexterity saving throws to minimize the damage from the fall.

As the ship continues sailing, some Red Sands members remain on board, still posing a threat. They are seen intimidating the sandsailers, ensuring the boat maintains its course through the treacherous dunes.

Getting back to the City

Possible Occurrences

  • Vultures in the sky attacking a Scorpions Rest NPC
  • Attacked by Desert Scorpions
  • Shadow Demons
  • Stumble Upon a Nomad Settlement
  • Find a forgotten ruin
  • Quick Sand
  • Sandstorm during a fight
  • Sandworm infested sands
  • Plateau with bridge that breaks due to a sandworm digging into the plateau. Plateau starts collapsing. Skill challenge.
  • Deadly Cactus/plant valley. Attacks once they're deep in it. Seems like the safer path at first.
  • Lighthouse beacon at night
    • Later this can be exploited by fake enemies using this to ensnare the party.