Seven players were present:
- Mithraax
Male Githzerai Battlemind - Garrus Ironside
Male Dwarf Paladin - Bruno FaceSmasher
Male Dwarf Barbarian - Erith Elmaris
Male Elf Vampire - Mortos
Male Tiefling Druid - Lupin Damakos
Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion - To’Mas
Male Human Fighter
Editor’s Note: Erith and Mithraax missed last session’s heavy role playing episode. In order to give them a chance to interact with guests at the United’s banquet, we are rewinding the last few minutes of last session’s exciting conclusion.
The Determined Damsel demands to know why he is in possession of her father’s sword (see Conflicts of Interest). Erith tries to laugh it off and claims that he merely found it and asks if she wants it back. The Angry Aasimar assures him that she does not believe his story and threatens to slay him if he does not tell her the truth.
Erith decides that “she will never let this go” (player’s exact words), and grabs her from behind allowing Rhonda to sink her fangs into her neck!!! As Valentine’s blood flows, the angelically infused aroma arouses Erith immediately. Joining Rhonda in draining her blood, Erith asks what they should do with the body. Rhonda licks her thumb and wipes the blood off of his lips. She then tells him to return to the party while she disposes of the body.
The Anxious Outsider asks him if he would be able to assist in finding a Tome belonging to the Eternal Blades. He explains that it is a scared object that was stolen and asks if he can help. The Billionaire Banker boasts that he would be happy to help and that he has resources and contacts all over the world. The Austere Alien enquires how long it will be before they can learn if anyone has any information. The Rich Rogue reminds him that this is the Middle Ages and that with communication via ship and carrier pigeons, it could take years to discover any information. The Stunned Psion seems quite dejected, until the Multi-Millionaire mirthfully breaks out in laughter. The Amenable Accountant assures him that he has scrying devices, transportation circles, and psychics at his disposal and they will be informed of any discovery instantaneously, as soon as he orders his underlings to begin the search.
The Gaunt Gith is grateful and asks how he can repay him. An amused Midas isn’t certain and inquires just what Mithraax is capable of. The Brainy Battlemind boasts that he possesses a particular set of skills. The Wealthy Royal regretfully informs him that he does not have a daughter that has been Taken. The Prosperous Prince proposes that he will require a favor in the future, if he is able to find out anything. The amiable agreement seems to leave both sides satisfied. To seal the deal, the Affluent Official advises Mithraax how to fist bump with fireworks. As Midas wanders back into the crowd, Mithraax continues to practice his fist bump with fireworks.
The Eclectic Entertainer excitedly exclaims that they both have horns, to which the Demonic Damsel doesn’t know quite how to respond. The Beautiful Bard bids her farewell as she wobbles off. Wishing her luck with her performance, the Rascally Rogue realizes that she may have been pick-pocketed, she quickly makes sure all of her possessions are present.
Spying the gem on the ground, the Lady Larcenist looks shocked when a web emerges from the rafters and hoists it into the shadows. Spotting a pair of glowing red eyes scampering across the ceiling, the Pilfering Perpetrator pursues them in a mad dash to beat it to the doorway.
Riding his newfound love, Penny Pincher, Mortos is dismayed to discover that the Enormous Invertebrate is unable to egress the entryway to the garden. Promising to return, the Demon Druid drops to the ground and chases after the other Heroes. (We now resume to our regular program in progress.)
Leaping into the abyss, Mortos exclaims “Wheee!” as he slides down the slope. Erith transmogrifies into a bat and quickly follows. To’Mas anchors the end of his rope to a tree and the rest of The Heroes slowly make their descent into the darkness.
Charging up to the Duergars, To’Mas demands they release Queen Leonora. When they laughingly refuse, the Armored Infantryman attempts to slash his way through. Inflicting copious amounts of damage, the Silver Sentry sustains severe injuries in return. Bruno, Garrus, and Mortos also rush in to battle the Devious Dark Dwarves.
Still in bat form, Erith flies close to the worm, hoping to go by unnoticed. However, using its tremor sense, the worm suddenly snaps at him, forcing him to flee (player was playing remotely and fell asleep for the rest of the session).
Lupin manages to wrestle the Queen away from Farnus and teleports back behind the rest of The Heroes. Unable to see, Mithraax clings on to the rope and flails his spear at the sudden sounds behind him.
Garrus asks Bruno if the seal is real. The Rugged Warrior ruefully regrets that it is. Raising his voice, the Pious Paladin proposes that this should have been done through proper channels. Raising his voice over Garrus’, Farnus proclaims that this is an eternal affair regarding the royal family and that they don’t need anyone else’s intervention. To’Mas queries if the Queen doesn’t have a say in the matter. Farnus states that she does, but the King’s orders supersedes hers. Bruno argues that the Queen should have the right to choose what she wants to do. Farnus sneers that they are all pawns pretending to be kings. He reminds them that these are medieval times and that everyone, literally, has their stations in life.
The Sympathetic Swindler sarcastically suggests that Leonora should just kill the King. The little Lady Lord listens and becomes very still and silent for a moment, then agrees that is a wonderful idea. The Troubled Tiefling tells her that she didn’t really mean that, but the Energized Empress is eagerly engaged in thoughts of regicide. The delighted Dwarven Damsel denotes that she’ll make her maid of honor, to which Lupin vehemently protests.
Seeing Mithraax still flailing at every sound he hears, To’Mas lights a sunrod. The Heroes agree that there is nothing more they can do for the Queen and try to comfort Bruno. The Heroes decide to return to the United Center and see what they can do about the more immediate threat of the Human Coalition putting the wrong person in charge of the United.
Addressing the august assembly, The Heroes relate what To’Mas has found out about the Human Coalition’s plans to replace General Sterling with Cornelius Gravestone and implement Operation Renascence (see Familiar Faces). The Leaders are shocked and wonder what they can do to prevent it. The Heroes suggest that if all the other races vote against Cornelius Gravestone, with Antigone’s 15% of the Human population, they could put someone they prefer in charge of the United. The question is if there is anyone all of the other races would agree upon.
Epiphany stands and suggests her husband, Conrad. Epiphany proclaims that it was Conrad who originally convinced all of the Races to form the United to battle the Crimson Empire in the first place. And he was the one everyone agreed that they all wanted in charge originally. A concerned Conrad declares that he never wanted the position, but if that’s what it takes to preserve the United, he’ll do it. Mithraax proclaims that the one who doesn’t want to be in charge is often the best choice. To’Mas suggests the female General they saw earlier might be a good candidate as well (to the laughter of the other players).
A sudden scream sends The Heroes rushing into the ballroom to discover a grieving Sappha kneeling over the body of her father, Stone Silversmith. Lupin quickly scans the area for Silversmith’s walking stick with the gem inlayed handle, but it is nowhere in sight. Examining the body reveals two tiny puncture marks in his neck. Mortos suggest that perhaps it was a child vampire. To’Mas tells him to not even joke about such a thing, as he recalls what the spirit of his wife told him (see Conflicts of Interest).
HORRIBLE MOTHER’S DAY PUNS (Classics) All have some form of the word “Mother” in the answer.
1: Material Girl.*
2: ABBA Song.**
3: Saintly Nun.***
4: Her Cupboard was Bare.****
5: Her Bed was too Soft.*****
6: Planet We Live on.******
7: Controls the Weather, Flora, Fauna.*******
8: UFO.********
9: Start of an Insult.*********
10: Wing of a Hospital.**********
11: Gold Rush.***********
12: Printed Circuit Backing.************
To be continued? ? ?
Lupin encountered some difficulties recovering the gems of the Eye of the Phoenix already. A Man-Spider thief and a missing walking stick. She did manage to retrieve the gem from the Man-Spider without violence, so that's a win. She did, inadvertently, plant the seed of regicide in Leonora’s head. And what was that Satyr all about? Garrus was frustrated with the perceived betrayal by his old friend Farnus. Arguing over diplomacy with Farnus, he was reminded that even The Heroes are still subject to the laws of sovereignty. Helping to plan to thwart the Human Coalition showed off his tactical mindset. Erith once again showed his darker side. When faced with being exposed by General Valentine, he chose to help end her life, making him complicit in the deaths of the father/daughter team of Captain and General Valentine. He bravely followed Mortos headlong into the burrow before the player fell asleep for the rest of the session. Mortos’ flirtations with Penny Pincher were abruptly cut off when the Queen was kidnapped. Throwing caution to the wind, he foolheartedly leaped into the giant burrow. When the battle with the Duergars began, he surprisingly charged forth, rather than cast spells from afar. To’Mas showed off his tracking skills and military mindset as he planned a way to safely descend and extract themselves from the steep burrow with his rope. His diplomacy skill soon took a backseat to his fighting skills as negotiations fell apart. He also was instrumental in helping convince the leaders of the United to back their plans to prevent the Human Coalition’s candidate. Bruno was quite panicked at the disappearance of Leonora. He focused his aggression and determination toward the Duergars to retrieve her. His heartbreak and confusion when Leonora willingly agreed to return to her kingdom was quite palpable. Mithraax is truly a stranger in a strange land. His awkwardness in social situations and customs was played to perfection. His naivety may have led him to a deal with the devil. And where have we heard the name Midas Montague before? As the only member without darkvision, his flailing in the dark was hilarious. Bravo to all!!!
* Material Girl: Madonna.
** ABBA Song: Mama Mia.
*** Saintly Nun: Mother Theresa.
**** Her Cupboard was Bare: Mother Hubbard.
***** Her Bed was too Soft: Mama Bear.
****** Planet We Live on: Mother Earth.
******* Controls the Weather, Flora, Fauna: Mother Nature.
******** UFO: Mother Ship.
********* Start of an Insult: Your Mama is so. . .
********** Wing of a Hospital: Maternity Ward.
********** Gold Rush: Mother Load.
************ Printed Circuit Backing: Mother Board.