- Henrick, Male Human Warlock
- Torek, Male Dwarf Cleric
- Garrus, Male Dwarf Cleric
- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
Awakening after a night of drunken reverie (chapter 25), The Heroes find themselves in an arena. A glowing energy dome allows entry but prevents their egress. Looking down from the grandstand is the Fomorian Queen and Huckleberry!!!
Realizing that admitting to robbery wouldn’t make a very good alibi, Garrus demands to know how the Groom was murdered. He then proposes that they be allowed to search for the killer. In an astonishing show of bravery, Torek steps away from the others and professes his innocence, stating that he had nothing to do with the others (player was absent for chapter 25).
Searching the arena for anyway to escape, The Heroes find a scroll of Horrible Puns about Summer Foods.
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 2: Extra Chest Bones.**
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 3: Saucy Coward.***
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 4: H2O Fruit.****
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 5: Demonic Ovaries.*****
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 6: Citrus Help.******
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 7: Optic Yell.*******
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 8: Frozen Golf Ball Holder.********
HORRIBLE SUMMER FOOD PUN NUMBER 9: Jittery Cow.*********
Henrick berates and belittles the Fomorians so much, they believe that he is the real Queen. The real enticement is when Henrick instructs them to take the barbequed Ogres and eat. Running off with their newfound feast, The Queen is forced to attack by herself. A critical hit from Garrus petrifies the Queen into stone for 1-hour°°.
Lupin has been battling Aquarius, but fails in her save, as the evil overlord dominates her, once again. Henrick is surprised, when he rematerializes next to Lupin and is attacked. Surrounded, Henrick too is eventually dominated. The Heroes are all unable to break free of the Aboleth’s power, as Aquarius cackles and proclaims his victory.
As the smoke clears, a large glass and metal tube filled with liquid is revealed. Suspended in the liquid is a living brain. It is a brain that is the most powerful intellect on earth. It is a brain that can mentally overpower an Aboleth. It is a brain known only as: The Professor! (see mini-adventure 7)
To be continued? ? ?
Thoughts on this Session: Another great session in which everyone played in character. Honestly, this adventure was planned for the fist-first/meta-gaming style of play the PCs had fallen into. It’s great to have actual role playing. Such a sudden shift in playing style opens up much more possibilities. This session was actually cut short by an hour, when Henrick used an illusion to trick the Fomorian warriors into leaving; and Garrus played a critical hit card, turning the Queen into stone, eliminating a battle royal. Bravo to all!!!
* Panting Canine: Panting = hot; canine = dog– Hot Dog.
** Extra Chest Bones: Extra = spare; chest bones = ribs – Spare Ribs.
*** Saucy Coward: Saucy = barbeque; coward = chicken – Barbeque Chicken.
**** H2O Fruit: H2O = water; fruit = mellon – Watermellon.
***** Demonic Ovaries: Demonic = deviled; ovaries = eggs – Deviled Eggs.
****** Citrus Help: Citrus = lemon; help = aid – Lemonade.
******* Optic Yell: Optic = eye; yell = scream – Ice Cream (Eye Scream).
******** Frozen Golf Ball Holder: Frozen = iced; golf ball holder = tee – Iced Tea.
********* Jittery Cow: Jittery = shake; cow = milk – Milk Shake.
Each Player received a random Drama Card for solving a pun.
° These events were inspired by Drama cards. I am so glad players are, finally, actively using them. They get at least one per pun, usually two a session, so they each have quite a few.
°° This event was inspired by a Critical Hit card. Whenever a 20 on a d20 is rolled, additional events occur. Usually, it is doubling the amount of damage. This card was exactly what was needed.
Next: Chapter 27 - Return to the Isle of the Apes
Previous: Chapter 25 - Beauty and the Beholder