Ancient Blue: Session 1
The adventure began at the Blue Nose Adventurers Guild, where the party accepted a commission from Russo himself. Their mission was grand in scope: travel from the Kingdom of Harves to the distant Seven Kings Archipelago and uncover the fabled Legacy of the Seven Kings—a name whispered with both awe and dread among seasoned adventurers.
Silver Ring Bay and the First Battle
This is a bay surrounded by beautiful atolls. Once, there was a large port town here that prospered through trade. However, due to repeated attacks by the Barbarous and the
growing power of pirates, it has declined, and now there is only a small, desolate port town.
After crossing the sea, the party made landfall at 21: Silver Ring Bay, only to find the town under attack by raiding pirates. Without hesitation, they took up arms and successfully drove the pirates away, saving the town from further destruction. In the aftermath, they were thanked by Growblin, a stout dwarf and master woodworker of the town.
Growblin shared valuable knowledge of the archipelago, pointing the party toward two important landmarks: 64: Tower of Wisdom, said to house great knowledge, and 24: Spiral Monastery, where secrets of martial arts and blacksmithing are passed down. To aid them in their travels, Growblin even provided the party with a caravel, covering its upkeep so they could freely explore the islands.
However, Silver Ring Bay was still reeling from the pirate raid. The docks had been badly damaged, and Growblin wished to restore them. He explained that the necessary lumber could be found in the Black Cedar Forest, but the town’s loggers could not enter due to dangerous plant monsters infesting the area. He asked the party to exterminate the creatures.
The party accepted and ventured into the Black Cedar Forest, battling through hostile plant monsters until the forest was finally cleared. With the threat removed, Growblin expressed his gratitude—and made one more request. A human merchant named Severo Precios, who once operated out of Silver Ring Bay, had not returned after sailing toward 44: Freeport. Growblin asked the party to keep an eye out for him.
Exploration of the Archipelago
With their business concluded, the party departed from 21: Silver Ring Bay and began exploring the surrounding seas. During their travels, they encountered 62: Castle in the Sea of Clouds, a surreal floating ruin. They observed in silence as the castle was slowly being consumed by a massive black sphere—a Shallow Abyss. Sensing grave danger, the party wisely chose not to approach and continued on their way.
Above the sea of clouds, a ruined castle appears to float. This was once the stronghold of wizard-king Meldrom,
grandfather of The Moonlight King, but it is said to have been trampled and destroyed by an army of the undead.
Now, the solitary castle floating in the sea of clouds is about to be engulfed by a jet-black sphere – the Shallow Abyss
that has appeared in the sky above it.
Their journey eventually brought them to 51: Fortress of the Three Swords Navy, where chaos awaited. A Lesser Dragon was attacking the fortress, setting fires and leaving devastation in its wake. The party rushed to help however they could—extinguishing flames, rescuing the injured, aiding evacuations, shielding a terrified child, and pulling survivors from the rubble. Their actions saved countless lives.
On top of the stone walls facing the sea, there stands an ancient fortress surrounded by tall wooden palisades, with a flag flying that bears the emblem of “three great swords with crossed hilts, their blades pointing in three directions.”
This is the stronghold of an armed group called the Three Swords Navy. They are said to draw their strength from The Crimson King, who was known to wield three magical swords with masterful skill.
After the battle, they were formally thanked by Noctis Milligan, the famed Azure General who oversees the region. He invited them into the fortress’s port town and explained the situation. The dragon was Zelmes, the Hot Spring Dragon, who dwelled in 26: Blood-stained Mountains. Someone had stolen one of Zelmes’s treasures and brought it to the fortress, provoking the dragon’s wrath. The thief had since been captured and the treasure recovered—but Zelmes still needed to be appeased.
Noctis requested that the party escort his envoy, Tom, to the Blood-stained Mountains to personally return the treasure and negotiate peace. The party accepted, and with a newfound sense of identity, declared themselves the Onsen Hunters before setting sail once more.
Freeport, Fog, and Failed Entries
This is a fortress city surrounded by sturdy walls that extend far into the sea. Many ships come and go through its harbor while patrol fleets cruise the nearby waters. This is the Freeport – the finest city in the Seven Kings Archipelago, built by those who cherish freedom and commerce.
Before heading to the mountains, the party docked at 44: Freeport to search for Severo Precios. There, they learned grim news: Severo’s ship had been attacked and sunk near 14: Ancient Lighthouse by a Flying Amphisbaena. While in Freeport, the party declined to purchase a Freeport Citizen Card, finding the cost unreasonably high. They did, however, gain four new companions who joined their ranks before departure.
Soon after leaving port, the party’s ship became trapped in a thick, unnatural fog. Lost at sea, they drifted for ten days before finally reaching land at 55: Forbidden Forest. Strange magical seals were carved into the trees, and when the party attempted to enter, an invisible barrier repelled them. Unable to proceed, they returned to the sea.
It is a dense, gloomy forest. With branches and leaves layered thickly overhead blocking the sunlight, the forest is shrouded in darkness. The trees bear mysterious magical seals carved into them, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere lingers
Their next destination was the 64: Tower of Wisdom. Upon touching its massive sealed door, a Fire Giant manifested and declared that the party was not yet qualified to enter. With no choice but to accept this judgment, they departed once again.
It is a massive twisted ivory-colored spire. Within this
tower lies the temple of the wise god Kilhia, where priests and
followers reside. It is said to house knowledge from all times
and places.
However, the enormous metal door at the tower’s entrance
only opens for those who have proven and been
acknowledged for their wisdom.
The Hot Spring Dragon
This volcano’s slopes are stained red, like dripping blood, where metallic components in the lava have oxidized. At the foot of these mountains lies a hot spring town that, though small, flourishes because neither the Barbarous nor pirates dare approach it, fearing Zelmes, the hot spring dragon that
dwells in the Blood-stained Mountains.
At last, the party arrived at 26: Blood-stained Mountains and escorted Tom to meet Zelmes. The stolen treasure was returned without incident, and the negotiations were a success. Zelmes agreed to cease attacks on the fortress and, surprisingly, invited the party to stay and enjoy the hot springs. The Onsen Hunters rested and recuperated here for several days before continuing their journey.
Barbarous and Pirates
On the coast, countless abandoned ships appear to be stranded. However, in this town, these derelict ships have been repaired and converted into dwellings, connected to each other by gangplanks and suspension bridges to form the townscape. The large abandoned ships surrounding the area serve as city walls and gates, with gatekeepers and sentries standing guard.
Setting sail again, the party encountered a violent storm before eventually reaching 41: Abandoned Shiptown. The town was under siege by Sahagin, Lizardmen, and other aquatic barbarous who had come ashore from the sea. Viewing the party as enemies, the barbarous attacked. After a fierce battle, the party successfully repelled the invaders.
Once the fighting ended, an Elf woman named Nanaly, one of the town’s volunteer soldiers, approached them. She thanked the party for saving the town and invited them inside. While there, the party accepted a new quest to deal with pirates threatening 61: Underground City.
The entrance to the city is a massive steel gate built into the mountainside. Beyond the gate lies a city constructed by Dwarves within a vast cavern. This city is home to not only Dwarves but various other major races.
The party sailed to 61: Underground City and engaged the pirates head-on, successfully driving them off. After completing the quest, they received their reward from the local guild.
Return to the Fortress
With their mission complete, the party set sail one final time, returning to 51: Fortress of the Three Swords Navy. There, they safely delivered Tom the Envoy and received their promised reward from Noctis Milligan.
With that, the session came to an end—leaving behind rumors of Shallow Abysses, sealed forests, and towers that still judged the party unworthy… for now.
Total Days: 38
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