Session Overview
The party entered a mysterious château to find an impromptu boxing ring, where they met Jean-Louis Amber, an enthusiastic boxing promoter. What began as a simple match evolved into an elaborate four-round tournament, with the party facing off against strange construct-like boxers with unnaturally mechanical movements. The session revolved around these boxing matches, showcasing not just combat prowess but revealing character through each member’s distinct approach to the sport.
Thal’s Journal Entry
Scrawled in precise handwriting with nautical doodles in the margins
Boxing. Of all the bizarre situations I’ve found myself in, this one takes the prize. One minute we’re investigating a vanished caravan, next we’re placing bets in some nobleman’s private fight club. The “boxers” though - there’s something off about them. Move too smooth, skin like a reflection on still water. Not natural.
Grok impressed me in the ring - pulled off this spectacular move using one of those construct boxers as a weapon against another. Wouldn’t work on a real person, but damn if it wasn’t effective. Selnove got all worked up about honor and fair fights when I tried helping him finish off his opponent - suppose some folks prefer the hard way. Can’t fault the principle, even if I prefer practicality.
Then there’s those eyes floating above the chairs - red, unblinking things that roll like numbers on a slot machine. House Amber’s got quite the audience system. Between the mechanical boxers and the floating eyes, there’s more to this place than fancy architecture and boxing matches.
Crew Assessment:
- Combat Capability: Strong showing in structured combat, especially Grok’s improvisation
- Reliability Factor: Mixed - strong team coordination but conflicting combat ethics
- Spiritual State: Honor-bound to a fault in some cases
- Sea-Worthiness: Still too rigid with rules for my taste
- Notable Moments: Grok using one boxer to knock out another - that’s the kind of thinking I can appreciate
Attendees & Status
All players present:
- Jinks (Thal) - Half-elf Rogue/Monk, Level 3
- Sidney (Hawthorne) - Changeling Bard, Level 3
- Ryan (Selnove) - Deep Gnome Barbarian, Level 3
- Justin (Grok) - Half-orc Cleric, Level 3
Setting & Atmosphere
- Interior of Château Amber
- Luxuriously furnished room converted to boxing arena
- Plush chairs with floating red eyes above them
- Fine furniture pushed against walls
- Rich carpets rolled up
- French architectural styling
- Elegant yet unsettling atmosphere
Key Events
- Introduction to Jean-Louis Amber and his boxing ring
- Discovery of construct-like boxers with “unreal quality” skin
- Four rounds of intensive boxing matches
- Grok’s spectacular maneuver using one boxer to knock out another
- Hawthorne’s attempts to increase betting stakes
- Selnove’s principled stance on fair fighting
- Multiple successful victories and knockout wins
- Hawthorne’s detect thoughts revealing details about House Amber
Character Moments
- Hawthorne attempting diplomatic manipulation and detecting thoughts of Jean-Louis
- Selnove expressing strong feelings about fair fights, especially when Thal intervened
- Grok showing impressive creativity by using a knocked-out boxer as a weapon
- Thal displaying tactical approach and willingness to bend rules
- Party coordination in betting and fight strategies
Important NPC Interactions
- Jean-Louis Amber: Charismatic boxing promoter and patriarch of Château Amber
- Revealed to be the mansion’s owner through detect thoughts
- Deeply passionate about boxing
- Fair but firm about betting rules
- Mechanical Boxers: Construct-like opponents
- Unnaturally smooth movements
- Unable to speak or respond to conversation
- Mechanically precise fighting style
- “Unreal quality” to their skin
Loot Acquired
Per Fighter:
- 10 gold pieces as fight reward
- Victory gold pieces per round won
- Betting winnings (doubled bets for successful wagerers)
Relationship Web
flowchart TD JL[Jean-Louis Amber] --> |Hosts & Promotes| Party[Party Members] Family[Amber Family] --> |Watches Through| Eyes[Floating Eyes] Eyes --> |Observes| Matches[Boxing Matches] Party --> |Participates In| Matches Selnove --> |Protests Interference From| Thal Grok --> |Provides Tactical Support To| Thal Hawthorne --> |Places Bets For| Party JL --> |Accepts Bets From| Hawthorne Party --> |Fights Against| Boxers[Construct Boxers] JL --> |Controls| Boxers
Emotional Highlights
- Tension between Selnove and Thal over fighting ethics
- Excitement during Grok’s creative boxing moves
- Party pride in multiple victories
- Underlying unease about the supernatural elements of the château
- Hawthorne’s excitement and subsequent disappointment in trying to increase betting stakes
Narrative Consequences
- Established presence in Château Amber
- Gained attention of the mysterious Amber family
- Demonstrated combat capabilities
- Discovered supernatural elements of the mansion
- Learned about the Amber family’s long history with the château
Player-Specific Notes
Thal
- Demonstrated monk/rogue fighting style in structured combat
- Tactical approach to helping others
- Maintaining awareness of supernatural elements
Hawthorne
- Attempted diplomatic manipulation
- Discovered key information about House Amber through detect thoughts
- Managed betting strategies
Selnove
- Strong stance on fair fighting
- Showed interest in the floating eyes
- Entered into rage during combat
Grok
- Creative combat techniques
- Supportive fighting style
- Impressive improvised moves
Notable Quotes
- Selnove: “That wasn’t fair. This is a legitimate enterprise, and this is a one on one.”
- Jean-Louis: “Time is an illusion.”
- Hawthorne: “Monsieur, you know how this game works.”
- Grok: (After spectacular move) “You’ve got this.”
Next Time
- Further exploration of Château Amber
- Investigation of the connection between mansion and missing caravan
- Learning more about the mysterious floating eyes and Amber family
- Continuing search for the vanished caravan