Four players were present:
- Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Paladin - Mortos,
Male Tiefling Druid - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue +
Willow, Cat Animal Companion - To’Mas,
Male Human Fighter
The Heroes question what To’Mas meant by that comment. To’Mas replies that he had seen the Registrar once before many years ago, standing over the remains of his wife and daughter in his burnt-out farmstead. The Heroes try to question the Registrar about why she has revealed herself to them here and now but receive only cryptic replies. Mortos declares that she only gives “fortune cookie answers” as The Heroes remount their horses and resume their trek.
As The Heroes race to intersect the trail of steam, they reach a clearing in the woods. Bursting from the tree line, a metal behemoth charges forth. Like a toddler running forward so it won’t fall, the Alloyed Antagonist ambles toward The Heroes with its arms flailing. The Heroes brace for battle as the Metallic Menace malevolently moves toward them. Mortos wants to know if the access hatch is through the butt of the machine. Bob informs him that the hatch is located in the center of the anus, which seems to excite the Demented Druid.
A small human boy sits in a seat in the center surrounded by a series of levers and pulleys hanging from the ceiling and rising from the floor. As Lupin tries to open the metal hatch to call to her friends, she discovers Bob’s design flaw. The metallic door is too close to the furnace, the radiant heat causing the metal door and frame to swell shut. Lupin tries to comfort the boy while pulling levers and yanking pulleys in an attempt to halt the runaway contraption. Unfortunately, these actions only cause the Metal Monster to move and sway its’ appendages in an aggressive forward charge.
Fortunately, To’Mas has also seen the film and ties his grappling hook to his cord of rope. Catching a joint on the flailing robot’s leg, the Stoic Soldier spurs his steed around the Armored Automaton in tighter and tighter concentric circles while avoiding the failing arms. As the Tin Titan’s toes are tautly tangled, he topples to the turf. Inside the machine, Lupin shields the crying child from the hot embers flying from the furnace with her cloak. Surrounding the fallen armor, The Heroes employ a few of the downed trees to form a lever and fulcrum to hoist the armor over.
When asked what he was doing, the boy replies that he followed Bob to the outskirts of town and saw his workshop. Climbing into the machine, the door stuck shut behind him. Frightened, he started pulling levers and the machine began to walk forward and smashed through the doors, causing the building to collapse. Crying and swearing that he is sorry, Garrus comforts the lad. Mortos begins to gently but firmly admonish the child, now named Jason, on responsibility.
The Heroes decide to leave the machine where it lays. Garrus confers with Lupin and wonders if it would be wise to inform the Professor (see Scum and Villainy) of such a device. Lupin reveals that she was thinking the same thing but decides that they will leave it for now. To’Mas asks Bob if there is any way to disable the machine so no one will be able to abscond with it. Bob states that he will remove the master cylinder to prevent it from moving. To’Mas knowingly nods his head and says: ”The master cylinder. Of course.”
Mortos also asks if he can make a retractable blade in the tip of his shoe. Bob agrees to make one for each shoe, prompting To’Mas to proclaim: “Bob can build it! Yes he can!” Bob asks if he can do anything for To’Mas. At first the Mighty Knight says no, but when Bob suggests adding some spikes to his shield, To’Mass readily agrees.
As Garrus begins to question him about the wishing ring, he grows pale and nervous. While the two holy men are engaged, Lupin surreptitiously looks around the church searching for any secret hiding places or passages but finds nothing. Fredrick proclaims that wishes should remain wishes and that no good will come of such an artifact. He proclaims that it is best if everything is earned by hard work and skill. Saying that he is very tired, Fredrick excuses himself. Garrus asks if they can continue their talk tomorrow, to which the Pious Priest reluctantly agrees.
When asked if she has seen any suspicious activity, the wary Water Warden warns that there is a ship at the end of the dock that she hasn’t seen anyone enter or leave from since it docked. As they prepare to head toward the ship, the Pier Policewoman produces a scroll of puns about Easter they must answer before they are allowed on the pier.
HORRIBLE EASTER PUNS (Puns are all words beginning with “EX” but pronounced “EGGs”. An example is EGGs-ample.)
1: Test.*
2: Alien Life Form.**
3: Blackmail.***
4: Costs a Lot.****
5: To Make Bigger.*****
6: Really Tired.******
7: Too Much.*******
8: Over the Top.********
9: Speed Up.*********
10: Insect Skeleton.**********
11: Really Joyful.***********
12: Can Get Rid Of.************
Mortos transmogrifies into a spider and slips under the door. To’Mas kicks open the door and charges in. In a flash, the two Heroes are suddenly frozen as they turn to stone. Then, emerging from the shadows, a giant Medusa reveals herself.
Thoughts on this Session: This was a fun session in that the Armored Adversary turned out to not be an enemy at all, but rather a mischievous child who accidentally caused a destructive series of events. The Heroes also managed to get in a lot of role playing when they finally reached Tiny Town.
Lupin bravely teleported into the Colossal Construct sight unseen. Fortunately, her natural fire resistance prevented her from too much harm when she transported into the furnace. She surprisingly displayed some maternal instincts in protecting Jason from danger. Her shopping supplies look like she is preparing for more trouble ahead. Garrus also displayed some paternal instincts when he helped rescue Jason from the toppled robot. Trying to coax Fredrick into admitting he has the ring and trying to learn more of his past, he showcased his diplomacy and detective skills in his conversation with Father Fredrick. Mortos was quite the conversationalist this session. From admonishing Jason for his dangerous hijinks to preaching about the futility of an arms race to Bob. His shopping list also looks like it could have interesting effects in the future. To’Mas revealed why he hates the Registrar. He was instrumental in stopping the robot by hog tying its legs together à la Spider-Man/Star Wars. His new contact lens now allows him to use his bad eye like an infra-red sight. Unfortunately, his brash actions at the end left him stoned. Bravo to all!!!
* Test: EGGs-periment or EGGs-am.
** Alien Life Form: EGGs-traterrestrial.
*** Blackmail: EGGS-tort.
**** Costs a Lot: EGGs-pensive.
***** To Make Bigger: EGGs-pand.
****** Really Tired: Eggs-hausted.
******* Too Much: EGGs-tra.
******** Over the Top: EGGs-cessive.
********* Speed Up: EGGs-pedite.
********** Insect Skeleton: EGGs-oskeleton.
********** Really Joyful: EGGs-uberant.
************ Can Get Rid Of: EGGs-expendable.
Next: Chapter 64 - Conflicts of Interest
Previous: Chapter 62 - The Return of Henrick