The scent of flour and baked sugar clung to Moonflower Creations like a second skin when the party returned, the bakery’s warmth a gentle contrast to the road dust still clinging to boots and cloaks. Inside, the place had changed. Not transformed, exactly—no grand renovation or gaudy embellishment—but refined. Tables stood straighter, chairs matched in a way they never had before, and the floor bore the unmistakable marks of honest labor. Someone had cared for this place while its owners were gone.
Saffron Moonflower herself barely paused to acknowledge their return. She swept forward in a rush of ideas, words tumbling over one another as she spoke of flavors, of balance—brightness against earthiness, sweetness grounded by something darker, older. She pressed a long, meticulously scribbled list into Pebblesong’s hands, a catalog of herbs, fungi, grains, and curiosities that read less like a shopping list and more like a druid’s field notes crossed with a baker’s manifesto. Pebblesong felt a familiar thrill as she scanned it: names she recognized, things that grew wild if you knew where to look, others that could be coaxed from soil with patience and care. This was not mere commerce. This was cultivation.
Around them, life hummed. Gorka darted about the bakery, gesturing animatedly as he spoke to Hat in rapid Goblin, his worry evident even without full understanding of his words. He had tried—earnestly, clumsily—to make Moonflower Creations into something functional while its proprietors were away. He had swept, sanded, organized, taken on responsibility far beyond what anyone had asked. Lorian, the miller’s son, pushed a broom nearby, relief evident on his face at the sight of familiar adventurers. He lingered here by choice, drawn by good food and the strange, bustling household the bakery had become.
Yet not all absences were so easily explained. Dabshabah, the small dragon who had made the upper reaches of the building her domain, was nowhere to be seen below. Waer’dara felt the weight of that absence keenly, guilt coiling in her chest as she followed the pointing fingers up the stairs and into the attic.
The attic was larger than memory suggested, cluttered with broken furniture and scavenged cushions, transformed into a nest overlooking the city through a dormer window. Dabshabah lay there, gazing out over rooftops and chimneys like a queen surveying her realm. Coins glittered among the debris—mostly copper, but with the occasional more enticing shine. When she turned, it was with deliberate slowness, and her voice carried the gravity of someone who knew her worth.
“You have entered the domain of Dabshabah.”
Waer’dara apologized, words spilling out in earnest contrition. The dragon accepted the apology not with anger, but with expectation. Treasure was the proper language of remorse. When Waer’dara offered her purse—every last coin—the dragon was well pleased. She accepted sardines and a rosemary scone with the same discerning air, critiquing variety even as she ate, and allowed Waer’dara to go with her blessing. As Waer’dara descended the stairs again, she could not help but notice what lingered unspoken: Dabshabah had grown. Not by much, but enough to matter. Enough to remind her that time, like dragons, did not wait.
Down below, other matters pressed in. Pippa Brightstone had been by, again, her enthusiasm for bed-and-breakfast dreams barely contained—and she had left behind more than ideas. A bill arrived soon after, cold and official, demanding recompense for promises made and abandoned at Hardbark Meadows. The weight of obligation settled over the group like a gathering storm. Coin would have to be found. One way or another.
Thalmiir chose a direct path to that end. He sought out the underbelly of Seacomber, places where strength was measured not in words or reputation but in blood and bone. His first bout ended in humiliation—sand in the eyes, a stumble, laughter from the crowd—but pride did not drive him away. Rage did. In a darker pit, where restraint was merely suggested and mercy an afterthought, Thalmiir unleashed the mountain within him. His victories were brutal and efficient, and when he emerged, battered but triumphant, he carried with him a heavy purse and the echo of cheers that spoke of respect hard-won.
Bhakris, meanwhile, wandered the forges and smithies of the city, drawn by the gleam of armor he could not yet afford. He listened, learned, and lingered, finding kindred spirits among artisans whose hearts yearned to create beauty rather than mere protection. Whispers reached him of a legendary forge hidden behind a waterfall—a place spoken of only in half-truths and knowing silences. He could not reach it yet, not truly, but the idea lodged itself firmly in his mind.
Bartholemeow took a different tack entirely. He climbed—literally and figuratively—into the upper reaches of Seacomber society, riding private lifts and spending coin freely to open doors that would otherwise remain closed. In wine-soaked rooms and candlelit salons, he spun tales of adventure and hinted, ever so delicately, at the almost-magical qualities of Moonflower muffins. Laughter followed him, then interest. And beneath the charm, he noticed something strange: faces too young for their years, beauty preserved beyond reason. A name surfaced again and again—Destiny. Cosmetics, perhaps. Or something more. One woman, Sheila, stood at the center of that quiet web, smiling and evasive, intrigued by muffins and secrets alike.
While all this unfolded, Pebblesong chose stillness over spectacle. She returned to Baroldson’s farm, to hedgerows and grain-speakers, to soil that remembered her hands. There, she learned, planned, planted. Exotic ingredients were coaxed into life under her careful watch, and the hedge itself became something she tended not just as a boundary, but as a promise. Moonflower Creations would not depend solely on markets and mills. Its roots would run deeper.
When dawn came again to the bakery, it came with a heavy knock. The door opened onto a towering loxodon, robes travel-worn, eyes sharp with purpose. His presence filled the threshold, and his question cut through the morning quiet like a blade.
“Are you the acquaintances—or business associates—of a Mr. Sterling of Waterdeep?”
The air seemed to hold its breath. Threads woven throughout the past days—coin, contracts, ambition, and debt—tightened all at once, drawing the party toward whatever reckoning lay ahead.
The party arrived at Moonflower Bakery and quickly confirmed Lorian was already there. Saffron Moonflower appeared almost immediately on their arrival. There was “hardly any acknowledgement” that the party had been away. Saffron immediately focused on supplies and baking ideas, describing: Saffron presented the party with a long shopping list. A quick look suggested many items could be purchased for “reasonable prices” (accounting for inflated market costs). However, deeper in the list were specialized herbs and mushrooms that not everyone recognized. The DM called out Pebblesong’s knowledge: The bakery had changed while the party was away, and multiple people seemed to be waiting to speak with them. The DM described that the bakery now looked somewhat upgraded: It had clearly been swept. Some tables appeared to have been sanded. Chairs that previously did not match were now replaced by approximately matching chairs arranged around tables. The DM noted that many people seemed to have been waiting to talk to the party, but Saffron’s shopping list took precedence first. Gorka approached Hat and spoke very excitedly in Goblin. The DM asked who spoke Goblin; Hat was clearly able to communicate, and Bartholemeow could understand enough to get the gist. From the conversation, it was clear Gorka was worried that something was “not going right” and was “a whole lot… not going right.” The DM clarified what the party inferred from Gorka’s behavior: Saffron’s scattered conversation included an important visitor update. While Saffron continued talking primarily about her baking experiments, she mentioned Pippa Brightstone (a dwarf from Hardbark Meadows) had come by a couple of times. Pippa had been looking concerned and asking for the party. The DM reminded everyone: The party noticed the absence of their “toddler” dragon, Dabshabah. The DM restated the layout and current status of Moonflower Creations. Saffron’s bakery operations occupied one side of what seemed to have once been a decent‑sized inn: As far as the party knew, the upstairs rooms were not currently being used for anything. The party spoke directly with Lorian in the bakery. Lorian was busy with chores (pushing a broom). The party told Lorian that Lorian’s family was starting to look for them. Lorian explained: Lorian asked whether their parents (“my dads”) were worried; the party indicated the millers were starting to get worried. Lorian offered to go back to the mill for more flour and return quickly, noting the bakery was nearly out. The DM transitioned into downtime and franchise/business mechanics for Moonflower Creations. The DM proposed that upcoming downtime would allow the party to make use of the bakery’s “franchise” capabilities. The DM explained that if the party accepted Lorian as an unskilled laborer, Lorian could be sent on errands like fetching flour, and Lorian’s salary would become part of the bakery’s operating costs (rolled into the franchise abstraction). The DM explained they had reviewed Bastion rules and compared them to franchise rules: The DM explained overall business finances in the campaign: The DM introduced the end‑of‑month “running a franchise” resolution: At the end of each month, the party rolls 1d100 and adds the number of person‑days devoted to running the franchise. The final total (d100 + days) is matched to a table to determine: The DM also described a complication concept: The DM clarified how party downtime intersects with the end‑of‑month roll: The DM described franchise staffing and activities: A rank‑one franchise normally expects: Current staff candidates: A rank‑one franchise can only perform one franchise activity at a time. The DM listed available franchise activities and briefly described their kinds of effects, including: The DM suggested “restructuring” might be a logical first step if the party wanted to formalize staffing and operations, though acknowledged the party might be building the structure from scratch. Waer’dara searched for Dabshabah (the dragon) and found her in the attic. Waer’dara asked around (including Saffron/others) and was directed to the stairs leading to the attic from the second floor. In the attic, the DM described: The attic was spacious. Dabshabah was near a dormer window, gazing over the city, having built a small nest. Nest materials and surrounding items included: Treasure and trinkets near the nest included: Dabshabah turned slowly and declared: Waer’dara apologized for being gone so long and praised the “domain.” Dabshabah responded by tromping over, bowling Waer’dara over, and giving her a nuzzle. Dabshabah explained: Waer’dara admitted she didn’t have much beyond stories, then offered treasure: Dabshabah requested a further service: Dabshabah pointed out Gorka’s inability to communicate properly as an impediment she wanted remedied. Dabshabah suggested Waer’dara send “the half‑elf” with a meal befitting Dabshabah. Waer’dara went to Lorian about feeding Dabshabah. Meal preparation and delivery: The DM stated there wasn’t much fish or meat available. Saffron offered: Waer’dara and Lorian brought the sardine and rosemary scone to Dabshabah. Dabshabah sniffed the food, commented on the scone, and asked if Saffron was still using rosemary. Dabshabah was pleased by the sardine and said it would tide her over until the party brought a side of beef or mutton. Dabshabah dismissed them after acknowledging they had done well. Before leaving, Waer’dara noticed Dabshabah had grown: The DM moved fully into downtime activities and asked the group to decide on a franchise activity for the current 10‑day (noting a group decision process). Bartholemeow proposed the idea of social engagement to increase Moonflower Creations’ success: Thalmiir Brukur pursued pit fighting as a personal downtime activity to earn money. Thalmiir’s motivations for downtime were stated as: The DM described the process: First venue (more reputable) match: Thalmiir was scheduled by a fight organizer and put against another new starting fighter: Thalmiir rolled poorly on the opening Strength/Athletics check (even after using inspiration to reroll). The DM narrated the loss: Thalmiir attempted to frame the poor performance as intentional “slow rolling,” but the venue was unimpressed. Outcome: Thalmiir was not invited back to that venue; the fightmaster felt the bout was not what customers wanted. Second venue (less reputable underground fight club): A different fight representative approached Thalmiir and offered another shot in an underground setting. This venue was described as: The DM set a new DC at 12. Thalmiir substituted an attack roll for one of the skill checks (as allowed by the pit fighting downtime rules being used). Thalmiir succeeded and won: Opponent described as possibly half‑goblin (half‑human, half‑goblin). Thalmiir’s narrated tactics: The DM introduced a second opponent: Result: Bhakris Edge spent downtime pursuing his ambition of obtaining exceptionally fine full plate armor. Bhakris searched for “the most skilled blacksmith” and sought an opportunity to even see (and admire) high‑end full plate. The DM described what Bhakris learned in the markets: Bhakris continued engaging armorers and blacksmiths anyway, asking questions and chatting about armor details (to the annoyance of some shops). Bhakris eventually found an armorer who was receptive: During this activity, the DM connected Bhakris to a remembered rumor: Bhakris chose to invest his downtime primarily into forming a relationship with the promising armorer (rather than working in the bakery). The DM stated this would establish the armorer as a future resource: The group selected the franchise activity Schmoozing, led by Bartholemeow. The DM explained the schmoozing mechanics: Funding the schmoozing: The party lacked spare coin for the 100 gp cost, so they chose to sell a magic item: Bartholemeow reinvested the 100 gp proceeds into schmoozing for Moonflower Creations. The schmoozing itself: Bartholemeow rolled 22 on the Persuasion check, qualifying for the highest success tier described (favor gained). The DM narrated the setting and approach: The DM provided the “favor” payoff as actionable information rather than a single explicit favor request: Bartholemeow noticed Upper City residents appeared unusually youthful and outwardly beautiful. Bartholemeow began to overhear the repeated name “Destiny.” Bartholemeow identified a specific contact: The DM summarized the schmoozing results: The DM clarified that schmoozing did not add person‑days to the “running the franchise” monthly roll, because Bartholemeow was not spending time operating the bakery itself. Waer’dara used her downtime to remain at Moonflower Creations and operate the franchise, while continuing to re‑stabilize her relationship with Dabshabah. Waer’dara stated her goal as rebuilding bond and trust with Dabshabah and trying to establish boundaries. The DM treated this as operating the franchise for the 10‑day (adding 10 days toward the end‑of‑month franchise roll). Waer’dara made a Persuasion check (used by the DM to gauge the “vibes” of boundary‑setting with Dabshabah). While Waer’dara was present at the bakery operating the franchise, Pippa Brightstone returned and delivered a bill from Hardbark Meadows. The DM described Pippa’s demeanor as mixed: Pippa handed Waer’dara a piece of paper on Hardbark Meadows letterhead: It was a bill for 300 gp. The line items included: The DM framed it as Hardbark’s view of a fair penalty for the party agreeing to provide security services for 10 days and then leaving immediately. Pippa “sheepishly” left after delivering the bill, reiterating enthusiasm for the bed‑and‑breakfast concept. Pebblesong used downtime to return to Baroldson’s farm and focus on the hedge and supply side. Pebblesong’s stated plan included: The DM described the Grain Speaker’s reaction: The DM stated a campaign/party logistics change: The session ended on a cliffhanger at Moonflower Creations. Early in the morning, there was a heavy knock on the door of Moonflower Creations. A new figure was revealed at the door, described (by Brian) as: The Loxodon asked: The DM ended the session immediately after this question.Session Notes