- Ffion Tanwen,
Female Dragonborn Cleric - Dimva Murkahm,
Male Dwarf Rogue - Amidaeus,
Female Elf Rogue - Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Cleric - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
(Editor’s note: If you read last session’s recap, you may recall Amidaeus was tackled by her former Amore Malachi and teleported to another room. The reason for that was because the player’s connection dropped and she was out for the rest of the game. We now move the clock back a few minutes before Lobis’ death and the Heroes’ departure.)
Finding themselves in the middle of a country road, the shaken Heroes plan what to do next. The sound of approaching footsteps frightens the unnerved Heroes. As the footsteps near, a short but stout shadow appears. Stepping into the light, The Heroes see standing before them the Dwarven Cleric: Garrus! (And now, back to where we left off.)
The Heroes are both elated and angered to see their Absent Associate. Their relief at seeing him hale and hardy is soon overshadowed by the fact that he failed to contact them all these months to let them know he was alive. Garrus explains that after he received the Dwarven artifact from Lady Die, he asked if she could teleport him home (see Life and Death). Once there, he brought honor back to his family’s name by returning the artifact and helping to ward off a Goblin invasion.
After introducing himself to Ffion, Lupin fills Garrus in on the events that transpired while he was away. When she informs him that they are searching for the Waters of Restoration, Garrus seems confused. He thought the waters resided in the pyramid of El Kah (see Past Tense). Lupin explains that after Buttercup’s wedding, they were supposed to transport the Waters back to the United. However, it was hijacked by the Crimson Empire using a (after several attempts to pronounce dirigible, she calls it a balloon) and they had to chase after it on flying Griffons (see Fight or Flight). Garrus has never heard of such a thing and scoffs at the thought of a flying machine.
The Heroes are afraid that they can’t go up against a God by themselves and decide to send Erith to inform the United of the situation. Transmogrifying into a hawk, the Elven Druid quickly flies off, but in the wrong direction (Player couldn’t make this session). Lupin informs the others that they have to try to stop Rose and Cornelius from slaying the Red Dragon, Kilgorah (see Scum and Villainy). She is afraid if they succeed, it might turn the Dragons against the United.
Dimva and Garrus are ecstatic to be able to quench their thirst. As they belly up to the bar, Bartender Babs greets Dimva with a smile. Holding up a tab, the Blond Buxom Beauty reminds him that he forgot to pay for the two rounds of drinks he brought for the house the last time he was here (see Scum and Villainy). As Dimva pays the bill, she asks if they are here for the drinking contest. The Delighted Dwarfs tell her they were unaware of it, but are now looking forward to it. Amidaeus warns the boys not to drink too much if they plan to enter the contest.
Hopping onto the bar, Babs bodaciously bellows that the drinking contest is beginning. The entry fee is steep, five gold coins per round, but the reward is worth it. The last contestant standing gets the pot (Players roll a d20 and add the number each round. If they go over 100, they hit the floor. Winner takes all.). Twelve contestants start off, including The Heroes and, much to Dimva’s surprise, General Valentine. The Heroes take turns covering rounds for each other.
After two more rounds, a Minotaur and Garrus collapse. Lupin is gleeful that she was able to outlast the Diminutive Drunkard. Amidaeus shakes her head and reprimands the Downed Dwarf for too much pre-drinking (Pot@350 gp). Two more rounds pass, Lupin, Ffion, and the Rakshasa succumb to the alcohol (Pot@420 gp). Finally, it is down to a groggy Dimva and General Valentine. Valentine suggests that they split the pot. A near comatose Dimva happily agrees.
The Mighty Mage claims that he is a powerful wizard and his companions are fighters, but they could always use a healer in their party. Choosing to stay with her current party, the Dragon Dame decides to decline. A contemptuous Blackthorn looks over her party and states: “It’s a bit mammalian”. She asks them to join but he declines. He does remark that if he finds the sword he will return for her. A wary Ffion inquires if that’s meant as a threat. The Bold Baron assures her it is not a threat, and proclaims that if he locates the sword, the lord of the Dragonborn will be in need of a queen and saunters off toward his party.
The Capable Commander plans to launch a giant push into the Crimson Empire with the majority of the United’s forces. A secondary force will strike from behind while the main defenses of the Crimson Empire are engaged. Garrus recognizes the value of a pinchers movement and is impressed.
Awakening in the early morning, The Heroes join Valentine and her guard for breakfast. While eating, Lupin suddenly remembers that Kilgorah is in danger. Alerting the others that Cornelius and Rose have a day and a half head start. She urges them to help her try to stop them before they endanger the Dragon’s alliance with the United. And on a personal note, he did help her escape the Festival of Life (see The Festival of Life). General Valentine declares that they will accompany them.
Following the trail, they notice the ground around them disheveled and burrowed. And then, the earth begins to tremble. Lupin and Amidaeus scamper up trees and Dimva hides behind another. Suddenly, a gigantic rough-hewed brute, a Gray Render, erupts from the ground and strikes at The Heroes.
The Greater Gray Render shakes off the fire instantly. The Tinier Terror is unable to save against the holy flames. Between the fire and pummeling from the surrounding Heroes, the Initial Antagonist falls. Already weakened from the triple flanking, the Second Savage is soon surrounded and subdued when the rest of the Heroes batter and bludgeon it to death.
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING DAY PUNS
1: Meat Sauce Ship.*
2: Percussionist Batons.**
3: Pilot’s Badge.***
4: Unhappy Medicine Capsule.****
5: Trumpet of Abundance.*****
6: Dark End of Week.******
7: Feast Induced Sleep.*******
8: Republican’s Favorite Part of the Turkey.********
9: Democrat’s Favorite Part of the Turkey.*********
The Heroes asks if Cornelius and Rose have passed by giving physical descriptions of the pair. The Fearsome Flora admit that all humans look alike to them, but some have passed recently. Once again, the Scary Stumps tell them to turn back. Dimva and Amidaeus are somewhat dismissive of the Wicked Woodmen and their barks and lead the others past them.
Standing before them, they are greeted by a gigantic skeletal Dracolich. But even more alarming is the shadowy figure astride it. The leering figure hisses: “Hello Brother. We meet again.” Emerging from the shadows, Garrus’ undead brother is revealed. The dwarven Death Knight: Garrud.
Thoughts on this Session: This is always how I imagined D&D would be. Everyone playing in character and reacting to the world around them like an improve play. Situations serious or silly, it’s great to role play with such rampant unpredictability. I am as unsure where each adventure will lead as the PCs. I thought I had every eventuality covered if The Heroes chose to return to fight the Orc God Orson and Pyter. Or, if they returned to Mos Eisley, every NPC in the tavern had a story and potential path to go down. I never thought they would go after Rose and Cornelius to save Kilgorah. This also marks one of the few times I can recall that none of the three rogues tried to pickpocket anyone, despite the many marks available. I also found it somewhat odd that nobody asked the Guard his name or interacted with him.
Lupin seems to be taking the position of de facto leader. Her decision to forgo fighting Orson/Pyter and pursue Rose and Cornelius was met with no opposition. Using her bluffing skills on the Innkeep to get information is a skill most rogues don’t use enough. Her joy at being able to drink Garrus under the table was quite infectious. Garrus was back in usual form. His strength and healing in battle proved essential. Even drunk, he still had a clear enough head to interrogate General Valentine and appreciate her military tactics. His scoffing at flying ships and the humans passing out showcased both his pragmatism and pride. Dimva was actually quite gregarious this session. Happy to welcome Garrus back he also initiated contact with Valentine and her guard. He seemed impressed with her military and political views, as well her willingness to join them in the drinking contest. He actually seemed somewhat smitten with her. He also bravely attacked the Gray Render by himself. Engaging in a dangerous doe-si-doe between its legs . Amidaeus showed her guarded side by resigning from the drinking contest early to keep her wits about her. Her warning to the Dwarfs about drinking too much before the contest foreshadowed her intent. She showed that same trait when she battled the Gray Renders from the safety of the trees rather than battle them head to head. Ffion showed off both her diplomatic and fiery side when she met with Baron Blackthorn. Soft when declining his offer to join his group, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself when she though he was threatening her. Although she is a cleric like Garrus, their fighting styles differ drastically. She seems more of a caster rather than a fighter. Two healers in the group are proving quite effective. Bravo to all!!!
Who is Garrud? The Dwarven Death Knight Garrud is the undead brother of Garrus. A warrior who died in battle, he was somehow brought back as a champion for the Crimson Empire. Garrus and The Heroes first encountered him in Family Feud. A powerful foe who believes that undeath is the glorious Valhalla of endless battles promised by Kord. A religious zealot who wants his brother to fight by his side for all eternity.
* Meat Sauce Ship: Meat Sauce=gravy; ship=boat—Gravy Boat.
** Percussionist Batons: Percussionist=drummer; batons=sticks—Drumsticks.
*** Pilot’s Badge: Wings.
**** Unhappy Medicine Capsule: Unhappy=grim; medicine capsule=pill—Pilgrim.
***** Trumpet of Abundance: Trumpet=horn; abundance=plenty—Horn of Plenty (Cornucopia).
****** Dark End of Week: Dark=black; end of week=Friday—Black Friday.
******* Feast Induced Sleep: Feast=food; induced sleep=coma—Food Coma.
******** Republican’s Favorite Part of the Turkey: Republican’s=right; part of turkey=wing—Right Wing.
********* Democrat’s Favorite Part of the Turkey: Democrat’s=left; part of turkey=wing—Left Wing.
Next: Chapter 48 - Fratricide and Fortunes
Previous: Chapter 46 - Sleeping With The Enemy