S03 - Frenemies
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S03 - Frenemies

S-3
Session Logs
June 6, 2025

Date(s): 12–15 Mistfall 983

Location(s): Solace Station and aboard the Starlight

Overview

Back at Solace Station, the crew wrestles with questions of loyalty, risk, and truth. A second, tense meeting with Veyna Dask opens new doors, but she advises caution in actually stepping through. The sealed coffin is opened once more — but its occupant is neither dead nor simple to free. Strange magic, cautious alliances, and possible Velvet Court entanglements all shift the course of the crew’s future.

Key Events

  • Return Visit — Dask at the Dock: 
    • As the crew debates potential follow-up actions agains the crew of the Brinkhowl, Captain Veyna Dask appears near the Starlight, seemingly alone.
    • She offers condolences on Captain Marris' death: “Not a friend, but solid.” She claims she hasn't come to settle scores, but rather to "not start new ones."
    • Dask reiterates that she was just the pickup contact and again offers a deal, but the party says they have nothing; the parasites are all dead. No longer needing it, she leaves behind a Velvet Court contact card:
      “Show this where their eyes are watching — which is basically anywhere that matters — and you'll get a visit. Make sure you really want one. And leave your ego.”
  • Digging for Truths:
    • Donny shares more of his dream involving the woman in the coffin.
    • Prim and Tsuki consult the station registry regarding Corenthia Avae. Records confirm her identity: a minor noble from Highwater, interested in magical arts and glamours. She's listed as deceased, with sealed remains scheduled for delivery to Runek Thorpe.
  • Clerical Intervention:
    • Seeking divine insight, the crew pursues access to the Upper Station's Radiant Mandate chapel.
    • After the party is denied access via the automated arcane gates, a sharply dressed halfling offers an “escort service” — Finn pays him a fraction of the asking price.
    • At the Mandate liaison office, the lone acolyte says Father Falrin isn’t present, but then he wanders in from a back room. Intrigued, he agrees to help with the coffin.
  • Coffin Opened — Soul Revealed:
    • Falrin's Speak with Dead fails:
      “That person is not dead.”
    • Tsuki attempts telepathic contact — the occupant is withdrawn, combative.
    • After being told they want to help, and "You are not alone," the occupant replies to Tsuki,
      "Everyone is alone."
    • Falrin blesses the occupant, invoking Ilyra's light.
    • Rynerm enthusiastically agrees.
  • Attempting to remove her from the coffin causes psychic pain, and she screams.
    • Falrin now suspects possession, and his tone changes dramatically. He recommends a cleansing by fire, or by Valthren's blade.
    • Rynerm objects, prompting a smack and dressing down from Falrin.
  • Finn and Prim compare Arcana & History notes - suspect the coffin is a dream snare cell.
    • At the party's urging, Falrin casts Dispel Magic. The coffin’s enchantments are suppressed.
  • The occupant is removed, healed, and placed under watch in the captain’s quarters, where she is later interviewed by the crew.

Clues & Discoveries

  • Corenthia Avae
    • Confirms her identity — and reluctantly, a connection to the Velvet Court.
    • Refuses to speak freely on Solace Station; fears surveillance.
    • Says she'll pay 200gp (the original coffin delivery fee) for quick passage to Highwater.
    • As a thank you for freeing her, offers the crew a one-time-use Whisperpin Token.
      • Present the pin and speak the phrase “By Avae’s Silence” to request a Velvet Court favor.
      • "Or if you're really desperate, break it."
      • She also warns: 
        “Avoid the Velvet Court unless you know exactly what you’re doing.”
  • Dice and Disclosure
    • Tsuki challenges Avae to a game of dice — one answer per win. Both cheat.
    • Much to Avae's astonishment, Tsuki wins the first two rounds. Avae reveals:
      • She "didn't do anything" against the Court — yet — but knows something.
    • Avae wins the remaining rounds; the crew shares details of the parasite incident.
    • Avae says she knows nothing about Court involvement in these events specifically, but based on party's description, it seems plausible that they wanted it. "Not my style, though."
  • A Taste for Illusion
    • When told she now occupies Captain Marris' quarters, Avae remarks on his “excellent taste.”
    • Prim realizes she’s admiring the subtle illusory design — not the furniture.
    • A hidden compartment is uncovered:
      • A cloak, a small tool, a pouch with 135 gp.
  • Other Finds

Final Notes

  • Departure & Reflections