Ma Meilleure Ennemie

Session 4 of Enemy, the 4th episode of the 2nd season of Story of a Lifetime (Overall session #48).

Took place on January 1st, 2026. PCs were level 13.

Synopsis

Session Summary

Selina discovers the Soul Shard is a decoy and Nox was a simulacrum, leading to frustration. In the council chamber, Siobhan (masquerading as the king), Elise, and Jericho battle Thora and Nox's forces, resulting in a chaotic fight with escapes and explosions. The group reunites in a steam factory, heals Siobhan, and performs a temporal refuge ritual on Melora's body using tree magic. Political discussions reveal succession issues, undead resurrection concerns, and Tarkanan intelligence leaks tied to Travelyan. Interrogation of captured Ezra exposes Travelyan's deal with Thora, providing insider info on the party. Karrnath launches a massive invasion of Sharn with airships and ground forces, imposing curfew and blockades. The party meets the Gorgon in the underworld Pearl club, discusses alliances, potential Tarkanan cooperation, and strategies against Trevelyan's schemes involving the Closed Circle and Black Blood.

Quests

Recover Melora's Soul (Updated)
- Discovered the Soul Shard was a decoy; real soul still with Nox. Melora's body secured in temporal refuge via tree magic.
Status: In Progress
Confront House Tarkanan (New)
- Plan to retrieve Melora's soul from real Nox; involves potential alliance or strike against Thora and others.
Status: Accepted
Counter Karrnath Occupation (New)
- Karrnath forces (Kaneth) occupying Sharn; coordinate with Dosk and Boromars to resist and reconvene council.
Status: Discovered

Timeline / Key Moments

Selina realizes Soul Shard decoy and Nox simulacrum.
Council chamber combat: Thora attacks Siobhan, Calista counters with fire, Jericho grapples Thora, Elise disables Nox.
Explosion destroys air skiff, collapsing chamber; group escapes via portal to steam factory.
Heal Siobhan using Jericho's vitality; Elise shares battle summary mentally.
Temporal refuge ritual on Melora's body in noble garden tree.
Short rest in Ariadne's apartment; discussions on resurrection, politics, and Tarkanan motives.
Interrogate chained Ezra, learn of Diver's proposal to Thora involving party intel.
Discover Karrnath invasion: airships, curfews, blockades in Sharn.
Portal to Undercity Pearl club; meet Gorgon and Dask leaders for strategy session.
Mind probe Ezra reveals his past with Thora and erased memories linked to Selina.

Key Decisions

Perform temporal refuge on Melora instead of immediate resurrection.
Interrogate Ezra diplomatically before invasive methods.
Contact Calista for safe tree location via kinstone.
Propose emergency magical council reconvene to leaders via napkins.
Consider unholy alliance with Thora against Trevelyan.
Avoid direct confrontation with Karrnath forces initially.

Unresolved Threads

Diver's full motivations and deal details with Thora.
Erased memories between Selina and Ezra's past connection.
Melora's soul recovery location and method.
Trevelyan's masterstroke with Closed Circle and Black Blood.
Fate of crown princess Hadith and other council members.
Potential Tarkanan portal mage in city.

Next Steps

Regain Melora's soul from Nox's sanctum cautiously.
Investigate Trevelyan's schemes and Closed Circle ties.
Arm citizens with dragon's blood enhancements if needed.
Open diplomatic channel to Thora for alliance.
Reconvene council magically post-resolution.
Probe Ezra further for hidden memories.

Reminders for Next Session

Resolve Selina-Ezra memory erasure implications.
Prepare for Tarkanan lair assault or ambush.
Coordinate with Boromars for underworld intel.
Account for sinistral fields in combat planning.
Explore Lirendar portal mage contact.