Four players were present:
- Garrus, Male Dwarf Cleric
- Henrick, Male Human Warlock
- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
- Habin, Male Eladrin Wizard
(Side Note: All of the players who had encountered the Professor before [Mini-Adventure 7] are either absent or are playing new characters. After a brief huddle, we agreed that The Heroes knew of him via tales from the other adventures.)
Speaking in a faux-German accent, The Professor address The Heroes. Garrus and the Professor seem to have some history, as the two exchange dour greetings, and the Professor reminds him that he is in his debt, once again°. Utilizing a history check, Garrus recalls that the Professor is the self-proclaimed “greatest intellect on earth”, as well as a member of the Undead resistance against Lord Chronos.
Unable to wait for his drink any longer, Garrus goes to the bar and orders directly. As he sits, he addresses the well-dressed man at the end of the bar. When asked what he is doing here, the man replies, in a faux-English accent, that: "he is looking for a woman. A particular woman. In fact, one who is traveling with him: Lupin." A wary Garrus tries to ascertain why. The gentleman says that he wishes to continue their discussion on religion. Sensing no evil, Garrus goes to relate his findings to Lupin.
Lupin asks for time to consider the offer. Quagmire tells her to take all the time she needs. the Teen-age Tiefling then attempts to steal one coin from Quagmire’s purse, just to prove she can. Triumphantly holding the coin in the air, she turns and smiles at Quagmire as she walks away. Quagmire smiles and tosses something toward the Rascally Rouge. Catching it, Lupin is enraged when she realizes that it is her coin purse, as Quagmire slips into the shadows. Returning to her table, the others inquire what that was about. Lupin tells them that she was asked to joint their guild but is unsure. Henrick warns her not to let her pride get in the way, just because he out-pick-pocketed her.
Preparing to depart for the isle, The Heroes become engaged in a bar game of Horrible Puns about Zoo Animals.
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 1: Mother’s Sister Running-Off to Get Married.*
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 2: Woman’s Striped Undergarment.**
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 3: Snarling Cravat.***
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 4: Ms. Fitzgerald’s Type.****
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 5: Someone Who Doesn’t Play Fair.*****
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 6: Fat Fir Tree.******
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 7: Observe Stripes.*******
HORRIBLE ZOO ANIMALS PUN NUMBER 8: Farwell to Male Child.********
With all of the enemies in close quarter combat range, The Heroes pile on the damage, expending their most powerful spells and powers. Though they take much damage, The Heroes rapidly regenerate, ensconced in the safety of Garrus’ healing field. The villains fall to strength of arm and might of magic. The Ultrodemon is incinerated by combined fire spells from Henrick and Habin. Lupin recovers the smoldering Monkey Paws and puts them in her satchel.
But before The Heroes can celebrate, a trampling hoard of Apes burst into the temple, surrounding them. Deafened by the high-pitched squealing and screeching and pounding of their chests, The Heroes Brace for battle as the Gorilla King looms over them.
Thoughts on this Session: I cannot express how pleased I am with the new direction we have been heading into. This session exemplifies how I wish every session would progress. Half character development/half action. Although there was a little more emphasis on Lupin, (All using elements from her own bio.) everyone got a chance to act in-character. Upcoming sessions will bring more characters from each Heroes' bios, as well as NPCs from past sessions whose plot lines never came to a satisfactory conclusion (I’m looking at you Buttercup). Interaction with NPCs, who would have thought? The fights were as epic as ever but, thanks to Darby, the proper method of additional bonuses to The Heroes powers allowed higher level monsters. I actually felt that The Heroes were in danger. It helps if one reads the manual. Bravo to all!!!
* Mother’s Sister Running-Off to Get Married: Mother’s sister = aunt; running-off to get married = elope – Aunt Elope (Antelope).
** Woman’s Striped Undergarment: Woman’s undergarment = bra; striped = striped – Zebra.
*** Snarling Cravat: Snarling = grrrrr; cravat = tie – Tie grrrr (Tiger).
**** Ms. Fitzgerald’s Type: Ms. Fitzgerald = Ella; type = font – Ella Font (Elephant).
***** Someone Who Doesn’t Play Fair: Doesn’t play fair = cheater – Cheater (Cheetah).
****** Fat Fir Tree: Fat = porky; fir tree = pine – Porky Pine (Porcupine).
******* Observe Stripes: Observe = see; stripes = lines – See Lines (Sea Lions).
******** Farwell to Male Child: Farwell = bye; male child = son – Bye Son (Bison).
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.
Next: Chapter 28 - Family Feud
Previous: Chapter 26 - Beauty and the Beholder Conclusion