Session 1: There's Aliving And Then There's Thriving

Session 0.5: Come Together

TL;DR: Ben's Version From Tsev's POV

• Tsev chats everyone up!
• loves william,
• happy that graynor is here;
• graynor is pretty aloof and seems like the only reason he’s here is Tsev (what does that mean?)
• Grisela is also aloof but so cool
• Abigail used to be dead and is also badass
• fun chit chat
• WELCOME TO THE TESTING OF THE ORDER OF AVACYN
• two groups, oh no we’re on opposites (me and griselda + NPCs; gray and kal + NPCs)
• Grisela and me killed it, last ones standing - no hard feelings for downing Gray and Kal
• chatting and watching and heckling and “wow”ing the rest of the fighting
• we’re in the order! Rushein congratulated me and Grisela specifically
• Necromonger = Doric Makaias, the monk guy that talked to (and knew?) Kal
• the necromonger is related to that guy, same Cesani family
• wow Kal does not like him at all
• we have papers! report to HQ following day
• Wine bar in the noble’s district, a quiet celebration, followed by crashing at Grisela’s fancy inn
• Fucking Bumble being a bitch
  

STUART

A message projects to a sharpened tooth laying on a toadstool miles away.

"Meet me in Thraben. This could be the start of something interesting." -Tsev

Greynore hears this message and pauses to meditate in order to start his journey to the High City of Thraben fresh. Dark elf, ashy grey skin, white hair. 5ft. Sleek black hooded cloak. Carries and staff and scimitar. 

Greynore walks along the roads of Gavony in the moonlight until he reaches a large city that he have never seen before.
A guard asks him if he is here for the trails but Greynore replies that he is only here to watch.
Greynore does not make conversation with anyone while we walks around the City. He finds the Amphitheatre then returns to a tavern he passed by earlier, The Match.
A very friendly woman welcomes him but Greynore only wishes for a drink and no room. Drinks here are a bit more pricey than normal places. 3 sliver.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gathering At The Amphitheatre

As the sun rises, Greynore hears the crowd gathering at the Amphitheatre. He does not sign up but joins the line of people. Tsev notices him first and they are reunited.
Tsev is full of excitment. Greynore mentions normally staying away from this. No local Flora or Fauna that he is used to. 
Tsev tell him that he found a park!
Kal and Grisela are at the front portion of the line but neither are at the very front. Grisela is just ahead of Kal.
The arena was a sprawling complex of stone and wood, built into the very heart of the city. It was here that the trials would take place, under the watchful eye of the Guardian of Thraben himself, Rushein Dan and his second in command Inquisitor Eliza and a unknown third who is dressed in simpler clothes that the party would learn is Mikaeus later.
As the recruits entered the arena, they were greeted by the sound of trumpets and drums. The grandstands were filled with people, cheering and shouting encouragement to those who had come to prove themselves worthy of joining the Order.
The Guardian of Thraben stood at the front of the Amphitheatre, looking upon the proceedings with a stern but fair gaze. He was a towering figure, with broad shoulders and a stern expression. He was dressed in full armor, his sword and shield at the ready.
Rushein Dan welcomes the potential recruits to the city.
He has high hopes that many will pass the testing trails and earn their place in the Order of Avacyn. They are in need of impressive members who can help protect the world. 
Successful candidates will receive access to a variety of resources: teachers, classes, libraries, pay, etc..
For the upcoming testing trails, recruits will be grouped together so that the Order can see their skills and judge their abilities.
Let the testing begin! (momentarily...) 

While the crowd waits for the groups to set, many mingle.
Kal's skull staff catches Tsev's eye and he circles closer to chat him up.

Kal introduces the skull on his staff William. "I can give out your name, it's okay. william is fine. billy if you want."
"Is he sentient?" "we are working that out? I can hear him."
Tsev is fascinated.
"how did you meet William?" "we knew each other a while back . don't want to get into the details here. wasn't the most pleasant of exits from previous place. trying to see what we can do here."

Grisela is standing off by herself like she belongs here. 
Kal and Grisela are off to a bad start because she was in line before Kal.

The group stares at her but she isn't bothered by the attention.
Abigail Hunt. "don't look now but you got a group checking you out" 
"creepers. go to the Tavern District."
Abigail flips the group off for staring at them.
Greynore doesn't know the gesture and thinks it's normal.

Abigail Hunt is a human looking fighter with a scar that seems to have ruined her eye. She was once a member of the Order of Avacyn but died protecting the town of Effalen from ghouls. She was dead for a year and fairly recently 'reborn'. Has to re-test to be reaccepted into the order. 

Kal mentions his own blank eyes. "spell gone wrong".


The Groups Are Set, The Fight Is On:
Bumble Lumpkins, Pinna Silver, Kal, Greynore. 

vs

Grisela Tsev Abigail Hunt Yinara Martin
Bumble and kal start off on the wrong foot. Bumble is a jerk. 
Yinara doesn't want to be held back. Determined to pass. Tsev and Yinara bond over 'otherness'.

bumble is a jerk. Casts sleep on Abigail and his own 'teammate" Kal

Pinna, quiet shy ranger, one shots Yinara. 

Tsev locks eyes with pinna. and backs up. mutters a rhyme that his baba taught him years ago and hexes her.


Grisela uses a potion on Yinara but pinna one shots yinara AGAIN. 

Kal attacks Bumble. mad about being targeted. "I'm gonna kill you and raise you". -shocked audience members.


Grisela takes down pinna. burns off cloak and hood.
Tsev has a wide grin at pinna going down. as she went down, shadowy spectral thorns leeches off her body and when he looks at bumble, he transfers the hex over.

Greynore refuses to go down easily. 

Grisela and Tsev are the winners!

Order priest and priestess dragged the bodies out of the arena and heal everyone.

The group is ushered out of the pit so that the next fight can start. The party can watch from the bleachers. Announcements of winners in several hours.

Yinara Martin flops away from the group. 
Bumble Lumpkins storms off. 
Pinna Silver disappears into the shadows

Grisela, Tsev, Greynore and Abigail watch the fights.

Kal hides in a corner to read book and argues with William. "no no no, you can interpret this in different ways." "I cast the right spell." "no no, if I did that, it wouldn't have work."

Everytime Kal looks up, Tsev waves. 
"I hope he is okay." "do you even know him??" (Tsev and Grisela)
"There's aliving and then there's thriving". -Tsev.
After all the waving, Kal finally goes over to Tsev.

Over the next couple hours spectating the fight, Tsev is looking and commenting on the people in the fights.
Tsev is excited! Grisela is bitching. 
Kal is ignoring Grisela for now. Still needs some time with how cold she has been to him.
"are you feeling better " 
"I'm not BURNING anymore" (glare at Grisela).
"do you need to take a seat, you are looking a little charred" -Grisela. "I would give you my seat."

Time for Judging!
Gather round the pit. 

Rushein Dan, Inquisitor Eliza and the third mystery figure (Mikaeus) are walking around chatting with the fighter and hafing our  papers to each person. 
The ruffled mystery person grabs Kal's hands. "How are my niblings?"
This is Mikaeus , brother to Father Cecani. Kal is breathing heavy.
"Welcome to the order!! don't worry about not winning. wizards are more for their brains anyways. we are impressed! "
"it took very fiber in my being not to hit him with my staff." -Kal to Tsev

Kal explains that the Cecani family are not quite decent folk.
Kal is trying to secretly chat with Tsev but everyone is listening.  no one knows what "the Necromonger" is. 
It's the highest level of necromancer.  Father Cecani is the current Necromonger. PIS.
the Cecani family are TERRIBLE people.
Cecani family wouldn't want anything to do with the order. WHY is he here???

Kal is so shocked and upset that he doesn't realize he was accepted into the Order of Avacyn until he notices the paper in his hand.

Rushein Dan walks up to Grisela and Tsev. 

"good work! you both won your fight. Very impressed. You've both PASSED. Come tomorrow to HQ to receive mission."

received some official paper.

Inquisitor Eliza goes to Greynore and Abigail Hunt: PASSED.  
Greynore makes a comment about the joy at being 'killed'
"hang around long enough and that will happen." Eliza responds while nodding to Abigail.
 "we missed you, Abigial . Welcome back -Eliza"

Let's Celebrate!
Tsev offers to share his tree, Grisela offers her room specifically with her co-winner in the Noble District 

Abigail heads off somewhere. "Nice to meet you. hope to see you around. "
we should celebrate!!! 
Greynore and Kal were technically not invited by Grisela. but Tsev asks permission. 

Grisela tries to casually walk into the noble district with this mismatched group. Gives 1 gold to the guard to get them through. 
Calm wine bar. 5g. white wine. Grisela gets the bottle.
herbal, grassy., licorice. reminds Tsev of his Baba's brew.
Nice relaxing evening after the intensity of the earlier fights. 
Grisela offers cots to everyone. 
Kal rejects and goes back to his room at the White Spear Inn
Greynore takes the cot offer.  Tsev gets the second bed. blocks out all the light and plops a pillow over his head.

While returning to his inn, Kal sees Bumble Lumpkins walking by angry and grumbly.
"I see him too William". "it's bumble the fuck. What's up man. "
"if it wasn't for you, I would have been fine. I don't even know what you are doing here.. This is why we don't teach necromancy here!! Creepy magic."
"I need to consult my book. you're lucky, Rule number 278 says I cannot engage in combat with you outside of a proper area and it's too late for that. I will bid you Adieu and go fuck yourself."

A party is formed? Friendships are made? Rough start...