The Oasis

Prev: Avengers, Assemble | Next: Fury Road

Session 4 of Story of the Century, the 3rd episode of the 2nd season of Story of a Lifetime (Overall session #41).

Took place on November 26th, 2025. PCs were level 11.

Synopsis

Session Summary

The party descends into the depths of the Machine City, secures prisoners including the psionic siren Shung Moon and samurai Yunji using anti-magic bracers and a fabricated stone cell. They mind-read Yunji, uncovering his war-torn past, revival by Hana the spirit fox, and Ivy's complex history as a reformed Karrnathi knight. Debates arise over the Creation Forge's necromantic nature and trapped spirits in the Mournland. Ariadne probes the forge psionically, glimpsing its ancient origins, the Mourning's horror, and a malevolent entity's role, suffering psychic backlash transferred to a prisoner. They copy Artemisia's notes, pilfer tools, and plan to rescue her robot Jeremy from Ivy's Avengers. Convincing Artemisia to feign staying behind, they fly to intercept a Reforged convoy, allying tentatively with Ivy, Hanjo, Hana, and discovering Tyburn's niece Cassandra among them. Banter and revelations build toward diplomatic intervention at the convoy.

Quests

• Investigate the Creation Forge and Reforged (Updated)

  • Gained psychic impressions from the forge revealing its ancient origins, involvement in the Mourning, and connections to historical figures; copied Artemisia's notes and schematics for further study; discussed theories on anima and spirit energy with prisoners and Hana

  Status: In Progress

• Rescue Jeremy the Warforged (New)

  • Promised to retrieve Jeremy from Ivy's group and return him to Artemisia; obtained GPS tracker device to locate him

  Status: Accepted

• Intercept Reforged Convoy (New)

  • Plan to stop the convoy transporting hundreds to the Reforged city, turn them back, and potentially capture a Reforged for testing to verify corruption claims

  Status: Discovered

Timeline / Key Moments

• Technical setup and descent into the elevator amid darkness and the spooky machine.
• Fabricate a stone jail cell using Dragonmark to secure prisoners Shung Moon and Yunji.
• Mind-read Yunji revealing samurai training, Last War battles, tree-melded survival, and revival with warforged parts.
• Uncover Ivy's backstory as a Karrnathi avenger haunted by her master's death and commitment to Wind Dancer ways.
• Debate the forge's role in siphoning anima, comparing it to necromancy and elemental bindings.
• Ariadne's psionic probe on the forge exposes its history: Mourning's soul-scream, entity's contemptuous destruction, and pre-Mourning inventions by haughty woman and cunning artificer.
• Ariadne suffers psychic injury from god-tier emotion burst, condition transferred to Yunji.
• Copy all of Artemisia's notes and schematics using advanced Aminuensis spell into Book of Secrets.
• Pilfer tools and investigate forge conduits leading to glassy wall with central mind.
• Plan rescue of Jeremy the robot, petrify Shung Moon after stealing her voice, leave some prisoners.
• Persuade Artemisia to pretend staying for cover, broadcast message to deter attacks.
• Fly airplane to Whitehearth ruins, shrink and store aircraft in pocket hangar.
• Travel via unicorns through mountain pass with white flag, guided by Yunji to Avengers' cavern hideout.
• Meet Ivy, Hanjo, Hana; Hana embraces Yunji, suspicions aired but parley begins.
• Enter hidden cavern community, descend to war room, release Jeremy from cell.
• Discover Tyburn's familial tie to young artificer Cassandra, daughter of his brother Oxley.
• Discuss Reforged corruption, trapped spirits, and plan diplomatic interception of convoy transporting converts.
• Board airplane with Ivy's group including petrified siren, head to confront convoy.

Key Decisions

• Secure prisoners in stone cell to prevent escape during questioning.
• Choose mind-reading over zone of truth for Yunji to access deeper memories safely.
• Push psionic probe despite risks, accepting potential injury for historical insights.
• Transfer psychic debuff to Yunji instead of self or allies to maintain party strength.
• Petrify Shung Moon after fascinate and voice theft to neutralize her without harm.
• Feign Artemisia's absence publicly to protect her and deter further raids.
• Ally tentatively with Avengers, prioritizing diplomacy over immediate violence at convoy.
• Include Cassandra in group for artificer expertise and family bond.

Unresolved Threads

• True nature of Reforged souls: genuine resurrection or anima-drained abominations?
• Central entity's identity and purpose behind Mourning and spirit entrapment.
• Location and release of 1.3 million trapped spirits in rotting spirit world fragment.
• Artemisia's full understanding of forge mechanics from copied notes.
• Ivy's hidden guilt or secrets hinted during initial encounter.
• Convoy's response to diplomatic intervention; potential for violence.
• Fate of petrified Shung Moon post-thaw and voice return.
• Tyburn's family history with Oxley and implications for Cassandra's role.

Next Steps

• Intercept Reforged convoy en route to Machine City using airplane speed.
• Attempt persuasion on escorts to release converts and halt conversions peacefully.
• Capture a Reforged sample for spirit-testing with Hana's guidance.
• Test theories on anima restoration to heal Mournland barrier.
• Consult Hana on spirit-walking to locate and aid trapped souls.
• Process pilfered schematics with Cassandra's input for forge reversal ideas.

Reminders for Next Session

• Prepare convoy encounter: diplomacy rolls, potential combat contingencies.
• Resolve petrified siren's handling; thaw timing and containment.
• Track Jeremy's GPS device accuracy near Whitehearth dungeons.
• Ensure airplane fuel sufficiency post-detour; maintenance check.
• Coordinate with editor team for b-roll on Reforged community.
• Remind players of psychic debuff effects on Yunji during travel.