Into the Gray

Session Summary

We debate what to do and where to go next. Twinkletoes and Pharèl are most interested in the Disco Thief. Arachne wants to build a battery for Steve the safe to live at April's house. Elzira is scolded when Arachne finds out he told his parents about the Planetars. After deciding we visit Trin next, we head out to April's, picking up a pot pie on the way. While we wait, we happen upon a poetry competition with a prize of 100gp! Everyone but Elzara writes a poem, all but Arachne perform. Twinkletoes wins and treats everyone to a night of fine wine. April does not know much about mass infections in Perfrind, nor much about the Disco Thief, nor too much about building batteries. While drinking, Arachne says she needs to get Grace back when Star asks why she seems so downtrodden.

Log

We wake up and have breakfast.

Twinkletoes and I obsess over the Disco Thief.

Arachne asks the group about ideas for the power sources down under the Perfrind power source. No one seems to have any clever ideas for creating a battery.

Elzira has formally received a note and clearly money back from his parents (noted last session). They said that the blue guys are called Planetars and they are meant to serve the gods in the past. Arachne is shocked and pissed that he told his parents about them. Arachne insists he inform the Planetars about this.

• Ask April about the Disco Thief ✅ 2022-08-28

We debate where to go next, it sounds like we will head to Trin and look for the Disco Thief.

I pick up a pot pie to take to April after breakfast.

While in town, there is a bit of commotion in the center of town. An unusual gathering of people. We all decide to investigate.

Nona of the bakery lets us know the pot pie will be ready in about an hour and a half or so. I thank Nona and head out.

"Come and impress Dragan with your very own writing, we want to hear about love and loss, will your poetry win 100gp?"

As we get closer it seems that everyone is coming up to a table. There is a piece of paper on it and people are writing stuff down.

We ask around how to participate. It turns out you sign up and later perform.

Arachne and Elzara hang back. Star, Twinkletoes, Elzira, and I all sign up. Arachne signs up after learning you don't have to perform it.

Twinkletoes asks about the rules. This is not the first time this contest has run. The rules:

1. A short poem
2. "As long as it needs to be"
3. It gets across love and loss

My topic: Dry lost dragon bones in the desert

We line up and see a pile of papers by Dragan. These are the ones which were written in. He's reading them as the contest starts.

"I'm Aolith and will be performing, Light and Darkness." He reads off a poem.

I am called up first from the party. "Uh, this is Untitled by myeslf just now."

Next is a woman called "En" and this is "Loss of my love." She gives a poem of literal love and loss.

Twinkletoes is gestured on stage. "My name is Twinkletoes, this is titled a Little Pirate, a trio of haikus." It is her story.

Another man goes. "Love and Life" he talks about balance.

Star is invited to the stage. He looks stern as he goes up there, but his knees start shaking once he's there. "I'm Star. This is a loves' cant."

Another young man introduces himself as Phidon, this is "Life is War".

Elzira is finally called to the stage. "Love and Fear"

Arachne does not perform.

By the end there is a large pile that Dragan is going through.

Dragan announces that it was a tough call today. But Twinkletoes wins! Elzira is butthurt. Twinkletoes earns 100gp for her winnings. "Dinner's on Twinkletoes tonight!" I shout. Instead Twinkletoes does buy us three two bottles of fine wine to share (30gp). #income

• Star will ask Arachne how she is feeling during dinner ✅ 2022-08-29

After all this, I get my pot pie and take it to April. It's noon. A familiar face pops up and opens the face.

I start asking about mass infections, and that we found water that might turn people into Slaad. We think that there was some known documented infections because of the checklists.

April thinks it's possible that they came up with a project that would do this.

I then ask about the Disco Thief. "He's a flamboyant obnoxious legend. There's a person who is either a scourge on society and ruins people's lives, like a Robin Hood character... not quite. The sort of person who steals or punishes people in power in a non-violent manner." She says the person seems annoying, like "Dragan" annoying and in your face.

She's aware people were talking about it recently happening in Trin.

She says she'll have some reading for me ready next time I come through.

Arachne asks about the possibility of extracting energy to create a sort of battery.

April doesn't have a ton of ideas.

Later Star asks Arachne how she is. Arachne is salty about it. Arachne later after a couple more drinks talks about needing to get Grace back.

Poems

dragons in the sand - Pharèl

Throat burning Desire, yearning A heart's treasure Now rubble Where once pleasure Once held in palm Now only song Sand above, sand beneath Journey, far too early, leaves The fire long gone out Wind, wing, snout Each once belonged Beside the other Now can never recovered Oh, bones, what dismay After time's wicked decay

the little pirate - a trio of haikus - Twinkletoes

the town was crying the cursed pirates had arrived a lonely child left

a sea of travel music laughter and dancing the child found home

the captain retired the crew had been disbanded child-alone again

A loves’ cant - Star

Your love is a true strike to my heart Your insight breaking my defenses apart

Your true sight perceives my every flaw You embrace me even when in stealth I fall

Your thieves cant takes what you demand But all you ever sleight is my hand

Love and Fear - Elzira

Skies of blue will turn to gray Autumn comes and flowers fade I hope to never see the day When life becomes death, our love to degrade

When storms arrive To test true love I know your beauty will survive

But when comes the dove And when floods subside, Will my true love live on by my side?

Sellout - Arachne

cut out your heart and wish it well set it on display pain is just another thing to sell

Light and darkness - Aeolus

The darkness closes in, there is nothing left, but when there’s nothing left, that’s when the light can enter.

Oh, the light, how it shines, lovely and radiant, saving me from the darkness where there’s nothing, come close and warm me now.

Loss of my love - Em

I used to have everything All was for me When you gave me the ring All was as it should be

But then you left And all was lost And I was bereft Alone in the frost

Love in life - Araminta

Loss takes all away Love brings everything back home Balance keeps us whole

Life is war - Fidan

Life takes away all that is dear Life gives us all that we get Life gives all of us tears Life takes us where we can’t forget

Life gives us all that we fear Life takes all that we can do Life gives us those we hold dear Life takes everything we go through