The Black and White

Following last session's TPK at the Crowded Flea, Johnny and Benny's souls awaken in the Black and White — a void between life and the Godhome — where they meet Aut, an entity who can predict everything except those touched by the Voidsong. Aut pushes them back to the mortal world, but they leave part of their potential behind. Meanwhile, Anzu escapes and meets Sir Arctos, a sentient polar bear paladin. The reformed party journeys to 13 Bright Street in the Aurideon to retrieve their lost soul fragments, entering the Black and White through a ritual and finding themselves in a strange silent city.

1. After last session's TPK at the Crowded Flea, Anzu escapes via rainbow teleport while Johnny, Benny, and Argyle are beaten to death by Hlarf and his gang
2. Johnny and Benny's souls awaken in the Black and White — a white void where they rebuild their bodies cell by cell, guided by a harmony and a being named Aut (also 'John'), an entity who predicts everything but cannot predict those affected by the Voidsong
3. Argyle's soul fails to reconstitute — he is permanently dead; Aut reveals this to Johnny and Benny
4. Aut explains the Pharos (a massive concrete skyscraper at 13 Bright Street in the Aurideon) is the conduit souls use to reach the Godhome; he can push them back to Færrin but they'll leave part of their potential behind, locking their level progression until they return via the Pharos to reclaim it
5. Aut marks Johnny and Benny with three blue dots (hidden unless revealed) identifying them as friends of Aut to those at 13 Bright Street, then pushes them back — they wake drowning in the river, stripped of all belongings by Hlarf's gang
6. Anzu returns to the Sin and Tonic, meets Sir Arctos (a sentient polar bear paladin in pearlescent plate armor, knighted by the Pontifex), and confides to Illmari that the rest of the party died
7. Johnny and Benny return to the tavern in their underwear; Benny vows to murder Hlarf; party rests and bonds — Johnny and Anzu share drinks and toast Argyle, Sir Arctos takes a protective interest in Benny
8. Party travels to 13 Bright Street in the Aurideon — Johnny and Benny can see the Pharos skyscraper but Anzu and Arctos cannot, until witnessing others perceive it; they enter and meet the Friends of Aut organization
9. A guide named Silas gives them a voice box and instructions (rule of three), then departs; the party performs the three-knock ritual and transports to the Black and White — now appearing as a rainy, silent night city with a plaza surrounded by a movie theater, hotel, tram station, and 'Save Your Soul Incorporated'
10. Party explores: discovers speakers at each location (3, 1, 1, and 0 respectively), finds a giant moth inside a stalled tram emitting piano music, and theorizes they must capture sounds with the voice box to unlock buildings and find their soul fragments

Cliffhanger The party stands in a rainy, silent plaza in the Black and White city, having discovered speakers at four locations (Save Your Soul Inc. with 3 speakers, movie theater with 1, hotel with 1, and tram station with music from a giant moth) and a warming voice box, still puzzling out how to capture sounds and retrieve their soul fragments.

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