MMC Summary: Session 1 - "Welcome to Midtia"

Present Party: Keviks, Nana, Lupan, and Wren

Session Setting: The kingdom of Midtia, in the capital city of Kystad. (Map made by me, using Inkarnate.)

Welcome, adventurers, to the kingdom of Midtia - a nation known for its adventuring opportunity, wealth, and influence on the wider continent. Our story begins in the capital city of Kystad. It’s a bustling place, always moving, with all sorts of humanoid creatures going about their day. Over the last couple of days, while you’ve all been within the city, you’ve consistently heard about an upcoming event known as The Selection. For some of you, this is a familiar event. For others, it is something so remarkably foreign. From what you’ve heard, the crown prince has turned eighteen, and he’s leaving the royal palace to look for a wife.

And so, we begin with Wren, Lupan, and Keviks. All of them were new to the city, trying to make their way and find work. They were each graciously approached by a gnomish gentleman, dressed entirely in black. He introduced himself to those who asked as "Ego" and he claimed to have work for some intrepid adventurers, and he thought that each particular individual would be a good fit for the job. He gave each of them a letter of introduction, and instructed them to find their way to the Royal Palace in the next two hours.

Once there, they'd receive more information about the job and the reward.

Meanwhile, at the palace, Nana has received a message from King River: the sovereign tabaxi monarch. He wished to have a private meeting with her, regarding the Selection.

“I’ve spoken to Ego. He’s found us some promising adventurers to take Fang on this journey. I’d like you to accompany him and them. And of course, you'd receive the same reward and pay as they would.”

She was honored to be considered, and the king informed her that the others would be there by lunch.

~~~~~

The three adventurers arriving from town made their way to the palace on time. They had the chance to talk and get to know each other. Keviks and Lupan appeared to get along decently, in large part thanks to Kindred, Keviks's wolf companion. She took an immediate liking to Lupan.

The king and Nana joined the party, followed by a young tabaxi man. He was tall, but not particularly broad. He had white fur with tints of gray in places. He was introduced as the crown prince: Fang. (Portrait made by me, using Heroforge.) The king explained that they'd been handpicked by Ego, his Royal Spymaster. He also explained The Selection, and their job that went along with it.

“My son Fang is due to start looking for a wife. We have a long and storied process when it comes to betrothals in the royal family, and it involves a lot of travel across our country. We call it The Selection. In its simplest form, the prince will go from city to city to town to village and meet with the eligible bachelorettes of high rank. This year, there are 64 eligible women - which is a rather large number. He is meant to spend at least one day with each woman, and then select thirteen potential wives. Although, he - and therefore, you - are free to stay longer. Those thirteen young ladies come to Kystad to stay with us where, over the process of a few years, Fang gets to know each of them, and then he selects a wife. Adventurers are always good for escort missions, and I would be entrusting you with the safety of my son, and one other task, should you accept.”

Before they could accept, however, Nana insisted on a test of skill for the other adventurers. She was concerned about their ability to truly protect the prince on his great journey. The party engaged in something of a series of matches, where each of the other three players fought with Nana in a controlled sparring match. During this match, the party also got to meet the three younger tabaxi princes: Aspect, Snow, and Time.

Each of them passed Nana's test, though to varying degrees. Nana was clearly most impressed with Wren's use of Cloud of Daggers, and Keviks's ability to shoot a longbow with surprising strength and accuracy while in melee. She was less impressed with Lupan, though the two of them did have a longer discussion about magic.

They went back to River, who elaborated on the second task, “Typically, it is customary for the king - me - to send a noble advisor along with my son as well to help him make the decision for the final thirteen women. In the end, Fang’s choice is the one that matters and he will make the final decision, but advice can be helpful. I want that decision to be based in love and attraction not politics. So, I want you to be his advisors as well. Meet these ladies, if you can. Get to know them as people and somewhat as political figures. Nana, Fang’s nanny will also be accompanying you on this journey. She’s been in these circles for centuries. In terms of political reputations, she’ll have some indication. And, of course, Fang knows the reputations too.”

Reward was also a topic to be discussed, and King River insisted that he'd thought about it. "In terms of reward, this is no small feat I’m asking of you. You would all have to be compensated accordingly, and it is… impossible for me to put a price on the safety of my son. It’s invaluable to me. I’ve put much thought into it, and I think… 20,000 gold pieces upon the completion of the quest is fair though I am open to negotiation."

The characters agreed, and they were given (mostly) free reign of the castle, and rooms there as well.

Wren decided to spend time with Fang, where she admitted that she'd met him before and she'd been to the palace before. Fang recognized her as a member of a fairly prominent noble family from the city of Lanti, and the two of them bonded over piano music and a game of chess that Wren won handily.

Nana took it upon herself to show Lupan to his room, and on the way, they noted Ego talking to another member of the court who Nana knew: Eli Hawks, the captain of Midtia's Riot Guard. Nana has a raven familiar, Mond, who she sent flying after Eli to see what was going on.

Keviks met up again with Lupan at their rooms, where they had a brief discussion about the Dragon Lancers: heroes of old, known for their epic powers and crusade against evil dragons. They were tragically killed in a battle versus an ancient red dragon. Afterwards, both of them decided to settle in in their own rooms.

Nana, meanwhile, using her raven's eyes and ears, received some startling news from Eli, which I shared with the player in secret. That information will be revealed to the other players in the next session.