- Dimva Murkahm, Male Dwarf Rogue
- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
- Henrick, Male Human Warlock
- Lobis Thunderfoot, Male Gnome ????
- Amidaeus, Female Elf Rogue
- Erith Elmaris, Male Elf Druid
Malachi insists that it was she who left him in her all-consuming quest for vengeance. Amidaeus dismisses him and proclaims that she will stay and fight with her friends. Malachi sneers and mocks her for working for the very royalty, politicians, and merchants she used to steal from. He predicts that once the war is won, they will take all the credit and she will be discarded. Amidaeus declares that she enjoys the company of her rag-tag group of new friends and working for the United. As she walks away, Malachi tells her that she knows where to find him if she changes her mind. Amidaeus scoffs and exits the chamber.
Dimva spots a peasant with a bulging burlap sack on the ground and quietly snatches it up. Inspecting his prize, Dimva discovers that the bag is filled with six cantaloupes. Erith’s eyes grow wide and he makes a silent blood oath that he will steal all of Dimva’s cantaloupes, one-by-one. Using his stealth, he nicks a cantaloupe from Dimva’s bag. Saddened that his drinking companion Garrus is no longer with them, Hendrick buys several bottles of wine and tries to drown his sorrows.
Lobis rushes up to the bar to assist. Examining the wound, he calls forth a tiny wispy figure that flows from him to the bartender's arm and heals her. Lobis then asks if he can purchase some drinks for his friends. The elated bartender offers to buy the first round on her. This causes a spirited round of questioning about Lobis’ abilities from the others. When asked how he is able to heal people, he attributes it to being a member of the Fey family and being raised by Eladrin. Lupin is confused and asks Erith and Amidaeus, both Elves, if they have secret Fey healing powers. They reply no.
Following William outside, Erith notices a bored Dimva leaning against the building. Spotting a cat sashay by, Dimva hurls a melon at it. As the feline flees, Erith asks if he can have the semi-squashed melon. Noticing Erith’s rotund rucksack, Dimva enquires about the bulging bag. Picking up the melon, Erith puts his nose in the air and tells Dimva to never ask someone what’s in their purse. Erith then goes to the bar and orders a vodka and mixes it with the cantaloupe. The bartender is so impressed that she decides to name the new drink after Erith. Dimva visits the local weaponsmith and tries to trade the remaining cantaloupes for a dagger. The owner tells him if he had two more cantaloupes, he could have a mighty plus two dagger, but with only four, he must settle for a regular one.
General Sterling informs The Heroes that they have already contacted their new allies in the Desert Lands. They are containing the waters and preparing it for transport as they speak. All The Heroes need to do is use a mystic portal, which is too small to transport the waters back, to teleport there and safely escort the waters back to the United Center. Lupin asks if they have any time before they depart. General Sterling says they have two days before they must leave.
Damocles continued: “Twins run in our family. The demonic pact of our family demands that every other generation, our “Grandfather” may take one child to reside in hell with him. Fleeing from the United Center, Lupa gave birth and placed you in the small town of Corden under the watch of an elderly dwarven hero, I believe you have taken her last name: Damokos. Lupa moved to another town with your sister in the hopes that she could hide the two of you from your fate. When our Grandfather tracked down your sister, Lupa demanded to go to Hell with her rather than leave her on her own. When I went back to Corden to retrieve you, you were gone. I have been trying to find a way to enter Hell and save your Mother and Sister, but to no avail”. Damocles sighed. Recalling meeting her sister in Hell (see Hell in a Handbasket), a still leery Lupin departs with much to think about.
Emerging from the shadows, a giant Pit Fiend is revealed. Lupin tries to see if see recognizes him from her adventures in Hell, but she does not. Trying to negotiate proves futile, as the Evil Entity proclaims that he is here to destroy any survivors.
The Cantaloupe Man then confronts the Sneaky Snitch, demanding he return the melons. The Raucous Rogue goes into full prison yard mode and puffs up his chest and warns him to leave. The Frantic Farmer refuses until he gets his melons back. The Temperamental Thief then attacks the Persistent Peon.
The Powerful Peasant is surprisingly tough, but the Devious Dwarf seems determine to defeat him (despite Lupin’s warning that he must be powerful if the Pit Fiend bows before him). A vicious battle ensues; Dimva manages to jab out both of the Melon Man’s eyes, but he continues to bludgeon the Pilfering Pickpocket until he dies. Upon Dimvas death, the Cantaloupe Man turns and leaves, muttering: “That will teach him to steal my cantaloupes”.
With the threat of the Cantaloupe Man departed, the Pit Fiend resumes his attack on The Heroes. The Heroes engage in a hit and run strategy; ducking behind the debris in a perilous game of peek-a-boo.
A limping figure approaches The Heroes from down the passageway. It is the medusa cleric known as Cleopatra (see Past Tense), covered with cuts, contusions, and a broken arm. The She-Serpent warns The Heroes that an envoy of devils and their henchmen attacked the temple and stole the airship and containers holding the Waters of Restoration.
Seeing a large shadow floating in the air, The Heroes are uncertain of how to pursue them. Cleopatra leads them to a stable that houses flying Griffons. In order to bound with the winged beast, The Heroes must solve a series of puns.
HORRIBLE FATHER’S DAY PUNS
(Answers have a paternal sounding adjective or noun.)
1: Rich Boyfriend.*
2: What’s Current; Trending Now; Hot.**
3: Human Symbol of Aging.***
4: Corny Humor.****
5: School Dance Theme.*****
6: Ad or Menu on Computer Screen.******
7: Ice on a Stick.*******
8: Candy on a Stick.********
9: Slang for Child’s Unmarried Father.*********
10: He Walks Her Down the Aisle.**********
11: Exempt From New Rule.***********
12: Tall Pendulum Time Keeper.************
Dimva, Erith, and Henrick go high. Lobis and Amidaeus fly straight ahead, and Lupin goes low. The Pterrible Pterodactyls Ptear into The Heroes with Pteeth and Ptalons. Erith transmogrifies into a Griffon and attacks in a power dive with his mount, while Lupin flies up to flank from the side.
In a one-two punch, Amidaeus charges forward and attacks, while Lupin flies below and flanks from beneath. The Ptoothsome Pterrors Ptry Pto flank The Heroes by sending one overhead.
Lupin, Lobis, Amidaeus and Erith send Pthe Ptwo Ptumultuous Ptroublemakers Ptumbling Pto Pthe Pterrain below. Henrick and Dima double-team the Final Flyer and bludgeon him to death.
With no more opposition, The Heroes are able to soar in full pursuit of their pilfered prize. As they break the cloud cover, unfiltered sunlight illuminates a massive shape, a shape unlike anything The Heroes have ever seen before. A lighter-than-air ship, defying gravity itself while hauling the containers of water beneath it.
Thoughts on this Session: There was an inordinate and unexpected amount of unplanned role playing, and I could not be happier! The role playing took so long that we had to continue the battle for the air-ship until next session. I am extremely pleased that more players are taking the initiative to develop their characters and storylines via communal story-telling. Amedaeus interaction with Malachi was the coda to last session’s wedding. Forgoing her past life and lover, she has decided to remain with her new found friends. Her sassy baiting of the Pit Fiend was quite humorous. Lupin shined when she revealed her ethics of not stealing from the poor. Her interest in Garrus’ disappearance and her family history showed a more caring side of her. And what did she end up stealing this time? Lobis still has the other players confused. A formidable fighter and healer, the rest still aren’t sure what class he is. Trying to explain where his healing mist comes from at the tavern was a confusing runaround that left the others even more mystified. Henrick was depressed that his drinking buddy Garrus had disappeared; despite his gaining control over his Demon's skull, Zööl is still trying to influence his decisions. Let’s hope his affection for alcohol doesn’t work to Zööl’s advantage. Erith’s determination to deprive Dimva of his cantaloupes was strange but hilarious. Using his transmogrifying powers to defeat the Pit Fiend and become an additional Griffon was quite creative. Trying to pick up strange men in taverns may have revealed a deeper mystery to come. Dimva didn’t realize the trouble stealing cantaloupes would cause him. His aggressive behavior toward the bartender was quite belligerent. Perhaps he should check his gold. Mistaking the Cantaloupe Man to be a mere peasant literally cost him his life. He needs to learn that a Rogue’s charisma can be even more powerful than his blade. Bravo to all!!!
° This event was 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.
* Rich Boyfriend: Sugar Daddy.
** What’s Current; Trending Now; Hot: Pop Culture.
*** Human Symbol of Aging: Father Time.
**** Corny Humor: – Dad Jokes.
***** School Dance Theme: Father Daughter Dance.
****** Ad or Menu on Computer Screen: – Pop-Up.
******* Ice on a Stick: Popsicle.
******** Candy on a Stick: Lollypop.
********* Slang for Child’s Unmarried Father: Baby Daddy.
********** He Walks Her Down the Aisle: Father of the Bride.
*********** Exempt From New Rule: Grandfathered-In.
************ Tall Pendulum Time Keeper: Grandfather Clock.
Next: Chapter 43 - Aerial Adversaries
Previous: Chapter 41 - Wedding Crashers