First SBotLL session of the new year!

In these Campaign Diary posts, I discuss the campaign I play in and how our latest session went.

What’s SBotLL?

That’s the name of the campaign I play in! It’s been running for almost four years now. There are two parties, one on the Surface and one in the Underdark. I play in the surface squad as the elf bard Finnith, and my two friends play the dragonborn rogue Nala and the tiefling ranger Allora.

Recap

Last session, Allora spent some time with the tieflings of the Awoken Flame as Finnith and Nala were in Thraden. Lilita Amastacia, a powerful commander of the Coven of Eternal Light, launched a surprise attack on the Awoken Flame. In the fight, Allora channeled a strange power to hold back Lilita, and the leader of the Awoken Flame fought Lilita to try and finish her off. Lilita disappeared, and the leader faded into ash as he gave Allora the leadership of the Awoken Flame.

Nala and Finnith made arrangements in Thraden for a guide to help them find a frost salamander. As they were discussing the upcoming fight with the Coven, Antonio Aloro (who is currently working as a spy on the Coven for the Moon’s Eye) appeared unexpectedly.

During this session…

As Allora’s consciousness fades, her bow of warning goes off, and then she blacks out.

Meanwhile, in Thraden, Finnith and Nala chat with Antonio about what’s been going on. They exchange information, and Finnith and Nala learn about the three Coven commanders they’re going up against in several weeks: Carmella, Elisabet, and Lilita Amastacia. All three are powerful fighters in their own way. They’re dangerous on their own but deadly when fighting together.

Also, Carmella Amastacia has the seele rune that Finnith lost when he was briefly captured by the Coven a while ago. Finnith is concerned about this, since Antonio is deceiving the Coven, and the seele rune improvers its wielder’s insight.

Finnith leaves the inn to go take a walk. In the meantime, Nala meets with Betram Winmettle and confirms some details of the arrangement to secure their guide. She also talks with Antonio, trying to get to know him better, since she doesn’t entirely trust him.

Soon after Finnith comes back, he asks Antonio what his mission from the Coven is supposed to be. In response, Antonio gives him a letter addressed to him from Carmella Amastacia.

… and that was the session!

Suspense

We won’t learn what’s in the letter until the next session. Allora’s fate is also unknown.

Cutting things off right before a reveal is a good way to get people excited for the next session! It also generates discussion in between sessions as people speculate on what might happen next. Though, this technique is best used with caution—ending with a cliffhanger every time can get exhausting for your players, and not every session lends itself well to that sort of suspense. But, it’s a good technique to keep in your DM toolbox!