- Garrus Ironside, Male Dwarf Cleric—Templeton Demarko, Male Human Mage
- Amidaeus, Female Elf Rogue
—Daisy, Female Human Berserker - Egad, Male Orc Bard
Editor’s note: Hopefully, we will finish Darby’s Mini-Adventure (see Road Less Traveled) when everyone can reconvene once more. Until then, back to the Crimson Empire Saga. With only two players available, Darby (Garrus) and Mikki (Amidaeus) took on the additional roles of Templeton and Daisy, respectively. Templeton and Daisy are slightly augmented NPCs from the Monster Manual, so you may notice they are slightly weaker with fewer abilities than the PCs. Figuring they may need additional muscle and healing, I also join the fray as the PC Egad the Orc Bard (see Dungeons and Darkness).
Adonis thinks that perhaps there are secrets in the Tomb that will enable them to defeat Lord Chronos. Garrus wants to know why they don’t investigate themselves. They reply that the battlefield is still contested. The border goes back and forth each day. If they were seen entering the Tomb, they could be reported back to Lord Chronos. Amidaeus tries to negotiate a deal. Since it is such a dangerous mission, they should be able to loot and keep anything they discover in the Tomb. Adonis counters that they may keep anything, except if it is something that will allow them to topple the Crimson Empire. Amidaeus agrees but wants it in writing. A bemused Adonis remarks that if he wished to renege on the deal, a piece of paper would not stop him. Amidaeus says that she just wants something she can shove down his throat if he betrays them.
Mork tells her that his daughter, Buttercup has been found and her wedding to Ironfist, to unite the Orc tribes, will proceed as planned (see The Orc Princess Bride). He insists that the wedding must go through or else the Orc alliance will fail and the Southern Orcs will leave the United. Amidaeus agrees and says the solution is simple; she will wait until they are wed and then she will kill him. Mork laughs and states that he never liked Ironfist anyway and she may kill him in the most painful manner possible. And to sweeten the pot, he will reward her if Ironfist survives until the wedding can be completed. He then enquires if she is sure she doesn’t have any Orc blood in her. She replies: “I certainly hope not.”
Entering the room, they see a series of statues in the alcoves on the walls as well as one on a pedestal in the center. Amidaeus asks Wanda to fly up to the statue and check it out. Flying up to the statue, Wanda’s incorporeal form prevents her from touching the statue, so she makes a noise by clicking her tongue as she pretends to knock on the statue. Daisy boldly strides three quarters of the way through the room when a tile she steps upon depresses. As the statues start to animate, Garrus tells her to step on it again to see if it deactivates the statues. It doesn’t.
The double-teamed Daisy begins to take massive injuries. Garrus and Egad try to supplement everyone’s health with mystic HMO coverage. Wanda tricks her Iron Opponent into dealing damage to the lead Horror. Templeton leads his Ferrous Foe in a chase around a boulder as he shoots magic missiles and chain lightening toward the Iron Enemies. Egad holds his own as he goes head to head with the leader.
Magic against muscle, swords against sorcery, flesh against fire, The Heroes give and receive copious amounts of damage and healing until, one-by-one, the Merciless Metallic Menaces fall.
HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN PUNS
1: Female Horse After Sunset.*
2: How to Greet a Hot Dog.**
3: Sugar Coated Bumps on Your Feet.***
4: African American Feline.****
5: Boney Lock Opener.*****
6: Mean Woman’s Beer.******
7: Female Warlock’s Midnight.*******
8: Gourd 3.14.********
Amidaeus asks Wanda if she can investigate the room. Wanda slams against the doorway as if a pane of glass were blocking her. The Heroes realize it is a mystic barrier to prevent spirits from entering or leaving. Garrus speculates that the Entity is keeping the Brides captive and that they should not enter. The others reluctantly agree, but the headstrong Daisy strides through the door (Player flipped a coin to decide what this impetuous warrior would do.)
Rushing past his cohorts, Garrus casts a large field of pious power, weakening any undead in its area, while healing his allies. Egad also boosts his friend’s abilities with a rousing melody. Daisy and Amidaeus begin to bludgeon the Baleful Brute as Garrus unleashes even more spells to ward off the undead. With all four enhanced Heroes attacking, the Frightful Phantom falls.
They begin to laugh, proclaiming that they are free after so many years. Free and HUNGRY!!! Circling The Heroes, the beautiful phantasms’ visages transform into red-eyed terrors with impossibly long canines. Canines that seek the blood they have been denied for so many, many years!!!
Thoughts on this Session: Last minuet cancellations reduced this party of six to a party of four to a party of two. Throwing in a couple of sidekicks and my old pal Egad helped to round out the party. Started off the session with some excellent role-playing. A wary Garrus questioned the motives behind the Crimson Empire Resistance. While the roguish Amidaeus was more interested in making a profit. Amidaeus’ deal with King Mork even ensured a profit from a killing she’s been planning for already. The bookish Templeton and head-strong Daisy didn’t have as much of a chance to shine, but their personality was conveyed in their fighting style. A smaller party certainly gives everyone a greater chance to shine in both roll-playing and fighting. Egad surprised me with his brute strength, going toe-to-toe against the leader of the Helmed Horrors. His spells of health and enhancement were also quite helpful. Bravo to all!!!
* Female Horse After Sunset: – Female horse = mare; after sunset = night—Nightmare.
** How to Greet a Hot Dog: – Greet = hello; hot dog = weenie—Hello Weenie (Halloween).
*** Sugar Coated Bumps on Your Feet: – Sugar coated = candy; bumps on feet = corn—Candy Corn.
**** African American Feline: – African American = black; feline = cat—Black Cat.
***** Boney Lock Opener: – Boney = skeleton; lock opener = key—Skeleton Key.
****** Mean Woman’s Beer: – Mean woman = witch; beer = brew—Witch’s Brew.
******* Female Warlock’s Midnight: – Female warlock = witch; midnight = hour—Witching Hour.
********Gourd 3.14: – Gourd = pumpkin; 3.14 = pi—Pumpkin Pie.
Next: Chapter 36 - Brides and Prejudice
Previous: Chapter 34 - Past Tense