We have begun our second Tales of the Valiant home game campaign. Since everyone was trying out new classes they’d never played before, I decided to do a Session 0 scenario (something I learned about in the last few months). That is, “everyone” knows about session 0 to set expectations, see how the characters know each other, etc - but this is using session 0 as a way to try out the characters and be able to change things up without penalty.

Another new thing with this campaign is that I’ll be recording audio. Scarlett asked me to do that so that she could go over it between sessions. This was my first time trying this setup so the audio isn’t awesome, but I’m hoping I can evolve to a better solution as I experiment.

The Characters

Valery Dawntunnel

• Lineage: Fiendish Syderean (ToV’s Tiefling)
• Class: Sorcerer
• Heritage: Covenant
• Background: Rustic
• Weapons: light crossbow and daggers.
• HP: 8

Backstory

A child of humble, human blacksmiths, Valery’s birth as a fiendish syderean was a surprise. However, her parents loved her no matter what and, while the town was initially suspicious, Valery eventually showed a natural aptitude with magic. She used her magic to help the town and they grew accepting of her. Once she reached majority, she left town to try and use her talents to raise money to send back home.

She has been in Zobeck for a month, doing small quests from the quest boards when our story begins.

Storm Lightningheart

• Lineage: Blue Dragonborn
• Class: Bard
• Heritage: Cosmopolitan
• Background: Courtier
• Weapons: light crossbow, dagger, lightning breath.
• HP: 12

Backstory

Storm was the court jester at the Golden City of Harkesh in the Mharoti Empire, but was fired when a better jester was found. He has spent the last year in Zobeck trying to make money by performing in taverns.

Beatrice Nightshade

• Lineage: Human
• Class: Fighter
• Heritage: Cosmopolitan
• Background: Soldier
• Weapons: light crossbow and battleaxe
• HP: 12

Backstory

Grew up in zobeck in a military family and also joined the military. Left military when disagreed with orders.

The Story

Summary

Valery enters the Hedgehog Tavern in the University District in Zobeck to get out of the chaotic streets. Kobolds have been runnign wild with the city guard chasing them. The barkeep invites her in and informs her that it’s “We No Work Day”, a Kobold Holiday that gets quite chaotic. She notices a group of inebriated wizards at one table. By the fireplace a blue Dragonborn bard is playing country music. As she sits and an unseen servant brings her a menu, Beatrice enters the tavern and sidles up to the bar. Shortly after that, 4 goblins enter the tavern. They are taking advantage of the fact that the city guard is busy to rob folks. One of them, the apparent leader, seems to have a sack of ill-gotten gains.

They demand loot from the patrons. Valery tries to dissuade them since she doesn’t have much money. Others in the tavern agree. They decide to steal the Dragonborn’s lute to sell for some money. A battle begins and the goblins all rush Storm, the dragonborn. One of the students tries to battle, but in his drunken state he misses and turns the barkeep into a cat. Then he runs out to make sure he doesn’t get blamed. The ladies join in the fight to help Storm. Because he’s being ganged up on, Storm ends up falling unconscious. The ladies dispense with 3 of the goblins with an assist from the cat clawing out the eyes of the leader. The last one tries to escape, but one of the students is able to cut him down.

Valery uses “spare the dying” to stabilize Storm and they loot the goblins, coming away with 16 silver each. Valery recruits the other two to help her on her quests. They go to the quest board and see that someone needs help with a mysterious murder. They decide to call themselves “Valery and The Other Two”.

GM Notes

Usually Sam plays a fighter, so I wanted to make sure he’d enjoy playing a bard. No one had any experience with sorcerer, so I also wanted to make sure Scarlett was ok with that. It seemed like everyone had fun with the scenario. I’m very excited to see how things go as we work on this campaign.

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