Session 1 – March 12, 2025

A Birthday Breakfast

Our story begins in a land of sugar and sorrow, of sweetness and strength, with... A Crown of Candy.

It’s the crack of dawn in the quarters of Sir Rulean, newly appointed commander of the Tart Guard, the security detail of the Royal Family of the House of Saccharius. It’s Princess Cherry Saccharius’ 21st birthday, and there’s much to do.

Sir Rulean hears a knock, and it’s Sir Toby, one of the Knights of North Gumbia. He’s a clear, pineapple gummy bear. He leads Sir Rulean out of her quarters and through Castle Candy. They go on an initial patrol, introduces her to the members of the Tart Guard. Two of them are tickling each other with their swords—Sir Rulean tries to smack some seriousness into them, but they’re pretty clueless. Sigh, “I’m surrounded by idiots.”

Sir Toby, towering over Sir Rulean, leans down and says, “well done.” She’s proud that she pleased him.

First roll of the campaign! A perception check: On a 13, Sir Rulean notes that everything in the castle seems in order, but there’s a layer of dust over some of the defensive structures—they haven’t been used in quite some time.

As Sir Rulean was about to wake King Caneius Saccharius, Sir Toby interrupts with a letter—addressed to:
King Caneius Saccharius,
Queen Caramella Saccharius, and
Lady Judith Jawbreaker Saccharius

Lady Judith—the wife of Caneius Saccharius—is often forgotten.

Caleroy Cruller, is the master of ceremonies at Castle Candy, usually working closely with Queen Caramella. As much as he is the master of ceremonies, he is the master of gossip amongst the nobles.

Back to the letter, it’s sealed not with the seal of Candia. Sir Rulean hands it over to Queen Caramella, and they can discern that it’s a seal that looks like it would be associated with the Concordant Emperor, but it’s not one often seen or would be recognized. Perhaps King Caneius would know, and they head toward his quarters.

They hear a loud snore inside, he’s fast asleep. He’s wearing some candy-striper PJs, and he’s a very chiseled dude. Short beard, long hair, very Ned Stark-esque. He’s hooked up to a sleep apnea machine.

Queen Caramella shoots Sir Rulean a look, before grabbing a pillow and preparing to whack her brother’s feet. Queen Caramella has a habit of calling Sir Rulean, “Rue.” Rue is fine with it in private, but if it were to undermine her authority in front of the Tart Guard, that would be an issue.

Caleroy Cruller steps into the room, but Sir Toby does not, showing his consciousness of his own status.

Queen Caramella roughly wakes her brother, “we have important stuff to do and I’m not doing it alone.”

He’s groggy, but does recall that it’s the Princess Cherry’s birthday. Queen Caramella shows him the letter, noting the unusual seal. King Caneius immediately recognizes that it’s the seal of the Concordant Emperor double-stamped with his own personal seal, to a friend of Gustavo Uvano.

King Caneius reads the names aloud, and then orders the rest of them out of his quarters, leaving only the three addressed recipients of the letter.

Sir Rulean heads off to ensure that Princess Cherry is safe and ready for the big day.

Meanwhile, the letter begins with the formal language of a royal summons. It looks almost pre-printed, with their names and details filled in. They’ve been summoned to Comida to celebrate the 20th anniversary since The Concorde’s enactment. The event seems like it would’ve been sent to all the kingdoms of Calorum, but one thing unique to their copy is a bit of handwriting on the side:

Both King and Queen note the weak penmanship of this note, signaling a feeble author. They also remember the Battle of Gumdrop Pass, where Candia started to turn the tide of the Ravening War. Queen Caramella was not there for the battle, so her thoughts flash over to who Caroline Saccharius left behind—Princess Cherry. The Battle of Gumdrop Pass is where King Caneius earned his greatest victory and greatest honor, and was bestowed the title, “The Sugar Forged.”

Queen Caramella shakes off the emotions, snapping into “queen mode,” listing off orders for how to acknowledge the invitation—her to-do list just got miles longer.

Smash cut to Sir Rulean checking in with Princess Cherry.

On her 21st All Saint’s Day, it means Cherry Saccharius is finally becoming a woman with all the duties and privileges of a member of the royal family. She’s stood in front of the mirror, practicing her curtsying, conversation topics, and her languages to speak with the various foreign dignitaries. The royal dinner awaits—it’s not quite a coronation, but it has a similar feeling.

Cherry is rather tall, with pale, pale pink skin—which often betrays a blush. Her long, red hair is usually worn in fantastical styles, but currently it’s just thrown up into a bun before getting ready for the big night. Her eyes flit up to the portrait of Caroline Saccharius—Cherry is the spitting image of her. She doubts that this moment even happened, a portrait of her holding Cherry. Did that happen, or was it just made for appearances and soothing emotions?

Cherry’s day begins with lessons Lapin Cadbury of the Bulbian Church, her tutor. She sneaks down to the kitchen!

Sir Rulean walks up to the door of the Princess Cherry, finding Lapin Cadbury reading an obviously fake note left, claiming that she’s deep in Bulbian meditation. Sir Rulean waves Lapin Cadbury away, telling him that she’ll tell him when she’s done.

Lapin makes his way off to his study, and once he’s out of sight, Sir Rulean makes her way down to the kitchen, knowing that Cherry will have gone there.

Sir Rulean dodges a flying plate as she walks in, and Forrest Black is covering for Princess Cherry when she walks in, hoping to diffuse yet another Sir Rulean-Forrest Black tiff.

Sir Rulean is overjoyed to see Princess Cherry, giving her a hug before catching herself and snapping back into an alert stance.

Princess Cherry asks if Sir Rulean had seen Lapin Cadbury around, Sir Rulean is like, hmm haven’t seen him, letting Princess Cherry know that she’s off the hook.

The King and Queen head down to see their dear niece, as well as get some breakfast. Queen Caramella seems totally normal as she orders ...., and King Caneius is unfazed as he asks for some of the turducken—which Forrest turns into fried chicken and waffles. Princess Cherry sticks with her hot chocolate, but Queen Caramella rattles off a list of sweet treats that Forrest could whip up, which he already has ready.

King and Queen present a few gifts to Princess Cherry, the first of which is from her mother...which immediately grabs Cherry’s attention. Caroline Saccharius had left Cherry the Locket of the Sweetest to give upon her 21st birthday. Queen Caramella puts it on Princess Cherry, who returns the gesture with a hug. The King is rather locked in on his food, and realizes a beat too late that it’s his time to give his gift. “Cherry we have not always seen eye-to-eye on your approach to this throne. Coming of age is not about the gifts you receive, but how you wield them.” He pulls out a pair of daggers that have definitely seen the battlefield, to Cherry’s delight. “They are yours to name as you wish.”

Cherry: “I should probably get back to my lessons, unless... there’s any news to share?” She’s clearly hinting at the existence of the letter, and the King and Queen can tell. King Caneius says, “enjoy the festivities tonight, but keep your wits about you. We may have plans to attend to soon.” Queen Caramella adds, “yes, we can speak about tomorrow when it comes. But enjoy.”

Lapin Cadbury knocks at the door. Even though he does have free reign to roam the castle, he doesn’t enter the kitchen. He shoots a rude look toward Forrest Black and his cookbook—there’s significant animosity between them.

Sir Rulean heads off to check on the Crypt of Caroline Saccharius. King Caneius doesn’t come along, needing to make sure all his many ceremonial armor pieces are clean and in order, but Princess Cherry tags along pulling the birthday card.

Queen Caramella hears some chimes, and she abruptly mentions some business she has to attend to.