- Garrus Ironside, Male Dwarf Cleric
- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
- Henrick, Male Human Warlock
Lupin decides to toss in one of the monkey paws that they pilfered from the Isle of the Apes (see Chapter 27: Return to the Isle of the Apes) to test the waters. The burnt and tattered paw floats on the surface as the water saturates it. The Heroes see the dried flesh becoming flush and firm; the burnt hair restored to a lush shimmering sheen as the paw sinks beneath the surface. Henrick wishes to procure a sample. He begins to empty a bottle of wine when Garrus turns around. Garrus immediately tackles Henrick and snatches the bottle out of his hand. The Pious Priest admonishes Henrick for wasting good alcohol, and proceeds to drain the bottle. With the final drop consumed, Garrus returns the bottle to Henrick. Henrick then carefully proceeds to take a sample of the waters.
The Sinister Serpents strike with fangs and flames. Casting large area effects, The Heroes make their stand in the center of the arena. The Ravenous Reptiles are defeated one by one, until only a few remain. The Heroes notice a mummified figure approaching Cleo. He appears to be agitated, shouting and pointing into the arena.
The Mummy bellows into the arena, pointing at Henrick. “Demon! You dare try to strike at me in my own home? You shall pay for your impudence, Zööl.” With but a gesture, El Kah’s spell causes both the living and slain snakes to coalesce into a giant serpent. The Grotesque Gargantuan begins to strike at The Heroes with stunning speed and ferocious fangs. Despite its massive power, the Venomous Viper is met with a coordinated and concentrated attack, as The Heroes unleash their strongest daily powers and cards upon him.° The Herpetological Horror is dispatched with a fast and furious finality. |
Henrick is suddenly transformed into a powerful Demon. Zööl cackles: “At last! After all these centuries, I’m free! FREE!” Lupin and Garrus stand aghast. Henrick uses his will against Zööl’s to quickly change back into himself for a brief moment to assure them he is alright.
Swords and sorcery take their toll on the opposing adversaries, until the twin Antagonistic Alligators are eliminated. The Heroes advance toward the Frightful Pharaoh, as he readies even more powerful spells.
The Ghostly Gal also produces a scroll of puns about the 4th of July (answers will have either red, white, or blue as adjectives or nouns).
HORRIBLE 4th OF JULY PUNS
1: Denim Pants.*
2: Warning Sign.**
3: Snowy December 25th.***
4: Chicago Baseball Team.****
5: Boston Baseball Team.*****
6: Toronto Baseball Team.******
7: Wieners.*******
8: Fair Prize.********
9: Moonshine.*********
To be continued? ? ?
Thoughts on this Session: I had originally planned for this adventure to stretch over two sessions. The Heroes diplomacy and powerful battle tactics condensed it to one. The Heroes prolonged talk to Cleopatra revealed much of the back story I planned to divulge throughout the adventure. Their alacrity in defeating the snakes and snake-combo led to a confrontation with El Kah much sooner then anticipated. Lupin’s fear and wanting to exit the pyramid after her brush with Mummy Rot was well played. As was her surprise diplomacy at the end. Garrus’ desperate attempt to save the contents of a bottle of wine was quite humorous. His diplomacy and wariness toward Cleopatra was nicely done. Henrick’s flustered decision to give in to Zööl’s power was a true dilemma from both an in-game and meta-gaming perspective. Fortunately, it all turned out alright. . . or did it? Bravo to all!!!
° These events were 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.
* Denim Pants: – Blue Jeans.
** Warning Sign: – Red Flag.
*** Snowy December 25th: – White Christmas.
**** Chicago Baseball Team: – White Sox.
***** Boston Baseball Team: – Red Sox.
****** Toronto Baseball Team: – Blue Jays.
******* Wieners: – Red Hots.
********Fair Prize: Blue Ribbon.
*********Moonshine: – White Lightening.
Next: Chapter 35 - Secret Agendas
Previous: Chapter 33 - Pyramid Scheme