- Erith Elmaris, Male Elf Druid
- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
- Garrus Ironside, Male Dwarf Cleric
- Henrick, Male Human Warlock
- Dimva Murkahm, Male Dwarf Rogue
After defeating Garrus’ brother, the Death Knight Garrud and his Ghouls (Chapter 28), a ghostly apparition appears before The Heroes. It solidifies into the form of a human woman. Lupin recognizes the ghostly girl as Wanda. Wanda pleads for The Heroes to avenge her families’ death. She states that she is unable to pass on to the next realm until justice is served. She is also in danger of the Crimson Empire corrupting her soul while she is trapped on earth.
Faced with the dilemma of aiding the sobbing spirit and the ramifications of interrupting the Orc alliance with the United, not to mention their immediate quest to recover the Apes Idol, Eye-Beam (see Chapter 28), The Heroes try to talk Wanda out of her quest for vengeance.
Henrick asks Wanda to forgive Ironfist for the greater good, and that maybe he isn’t such a bad guy if the Orcs can help defeat the Crimson Empire. Wanda screams that he murdered her husband and children in front of her!!!
Lupin tries to console Wanda by telling her they’ll head to the Orc lands, since it is on the way to the Professor’s K’ave of K’nowledge, where they need to deliver the Monkey Paws they purloined from the Apes. But first, they need to stop by the Inn so Lupin can see if she can gather any clues as to who pilfered the Apes Idol.
Dimva travels ahead of him and scopes out the local church. He manages to pick-pocket the Priest’s purse and leaves just as Garrus enters.
At the Inn, Kong, the Ape’s four-armed emissary, complains that the tavern is too human-centric for his liking. Wanda wonders if they serve spirits (Horrible pun!).
Henrick orders two bottles of wine and proceeds to get smashed. Rejoining The Heroes, Dimva sneaks around the tavern and begins to pick the pockets of several of the bar's patrons. He then approaches a beautiful human woman and attempts to relieve her of her purse.
Suddenly, her hand grabs his wrist while the other places a knife to his throat. The woman is named Scarlett and she tells the diminutive Dimva that she could use another thieve on her heist. DImva wants to know how many others are involved and if they’re after gold. Scarlett laughs and tells him that there are two others, and they are after something more valuable than gold. She tells him they are going to break into the museum in the next city, a day’s journey away, and to meet them outside the Inn at the crack of dawn.
Dimva agrees and is smitten by the larcenous lady, until he realizes that his purse is missing. Fuming over his loss, Dimva steals a rabbit from the pocket of a local magician. He then sells it for five gold pieces to a villager; the villager then proceeds to sell it to the Innkeeper for ten.
They are talking about how they still need more Owlbears for their gladiatorial competition. The Teen-age Tiefling finds their conversation boring, so she pick-pockets their gold and daggers and retreats to the bar. Sitting in his favorite spot is a well-dressed human male, Quinten Quagmire (Chapter 27).
The Damsel Demon surreptitiously tries to make contact with him. An inquisitive Erith decides to sit between them. Lupin tries to get Erith to leave, but the Eager Elf insist on staying. After threats of violence fail to dissuade him, Lupin purchases a bottle of wine and asks if Erith will take it to their companion's table for Garrus, because she had promised him a drink; this ploy fails as well.
Finally fed up, Lupin hurls a dagger at Erith. Henrick leads the cheers, as everyone watches. Lupin and Quagmire head to the stables to talk, leaving Willow to guard the door. Erith turns into a bug to try to listen, but Willow scares him away.
Quagmire queries Lupin about the coincidence that they were sent on the one day of the year that their idol is removed from its underground lair. He says that it sounds like a classic double-cross to him. He promises to have all of the guild’s eyes and ears open about this mystery. He then asks if this means that Lupin has changed her mind about joining the Rogue’s Guild.
Lupin agrees, once the Guild provides her any information, she will join. She then asks if Raven Redwing (long-time competitor) is a member of the Guild. He states that she is, and that she is the most accomplished rogue in the Guild, even more so than himself.
Upon leaving the stables, Erith confronts Quagmire and tries to find out what they were discussing. Quagmire dismisses the inquisitive Elf by telling him they are merely old friends catching up.
The priest removes a scared symbol from around his neck and instructs Garrus to place it around Garrud’s neck, once he defeats him, his soul will be free to travel to Valhalla. Garrus thanks the priest and asks if he has a rune he could have. The priest picks up his mug and ask if he means something like this? The priest was using a rune as a coaster and gladly gives it to him. Garrus thanks the priest again and lights a candle for his brother.
As he is leaving, the priest tells Garrus to tell his Dwarven friend that he forgives him. When Garrus asks for what. The priest informs him that he knew he stole his purse and that he must need it more than him. Garrus puts his palm to his face when he realizes he is talking about Dimva. He then goes to find the town blacksmith.
When asked if he wants it all now, the Halfling states that he will take half now, and half when the job is done; because he’s a Halfling. Garrus laughs and asks him his name. When told it is Bob, Garrus decides to call him “Ba”, because he’s a Halfling. Ba tells him to pick his hammer up in the morning.
After an uneventful night, Dimva joins Scarlett and her two cronies at daybreak and heads for the city. Later, the rest of The Heroes reconvene for breakfast and Garrus collects his hammer with the rune affixed. The Heroes finally notice that Dimva is not there. Fearing the worst, The Heroes search the woods. Erith turns into a bloodhound and Kong uses his powerful sense of smell to follow the trail leading to the city. Though the thieves have a few hours head start, The Heroes rapid pursuit shortens the distance between them.
Two strange constructs stand silently by, as they make their way to the end of the hall. Scarlett opens a case, reveling a vermillion gemstone the size of a large melon: The Heart of Darkness. At that instant, the twin constructs come to life, revealing themselves as Shardsouls, and advance toward the thieves.
The Horrible Humanoids shoot powerful beams from their cyclopean eyes. Scarlett’s band fends them off with arrows and daggers as they approach, closer and closer.
Lupin has Willow guard a side door and Erith turns into a tiger to guard the entrance with Wanda. Henrick cast his soulshard upon the closes Shardsoul, but realizes that, despite its’ name, the construct has no soul to siphon. With the two Statue Sentries divided, The Heroes and thieves begin to whittle away at them.
Both Ominous Effigies cast a ritual, and a whistling can be heard from outside. Suddenly, meteors begin to smash through the rooftop inflicting radiant damage on The Heroes and knocking them prone. Garrus is somewhat surprised that, as a cleric of Kord, he has no protection from radiant damage. Kong (now played by Darby) goes Ape-Poop crazy and helps bludgeon the Malevolent Mannequins into pieces.
Scooping up Willow and stroking him, the robed Tiger-man demands to know who has dared to break into his museum. Garrus demands to know who he is. The Fancy Feline replies that his name is Raja and they are intruders and thieves in his museum. When they claim they are not thieves, Raja asks why are they holding his gem?
Scarlett, not so discretely, tosses the gem at Dimva’s feet. Raja gestures and the gem flies to him. Lupin claims that the gem is hers and wants to know where he found it. Raja replies that it was on a beach, and that the gem has been in existence longer than she’s been alive.
When asked what it is, Raja replies that it is a dimensional doorway to demonic domains. Henrick and his Skull are enthralled with the demonic aspect and covet the scarlet stone. When Garrus proclaims that it must be kept from the Crimson Empire, Raja laughs. He claims he does not fear the forces of the undead.
When asked why he doesn’t fear death, Raja proclaims himself above life and death; that he is a God. Lupin and Garrus proclaim that it is not safe here, and that they have proven people can steal it. Raja claims that his capture of them proves that it is quite safe. He then sees Erith in tiger form by the door and starts oohing and ahhing at him like a kitten.
Dimva asks if Raja would like to purchase Erith. Raja becomes offended that anyone would attempt to sell another feline like property.
Infuriated, he suddenly shoots Scarlett with a poisoned arrow. As she falls to the ground, Dimva demands his purse back. Scarlett throws it to the ground in front of her. When he reaches to pick it up, Scarlett slashes his throat with a poisoned blade, laughing: “How do you like it?” Raja has had enough.
The Heart of Darkness begins to glow in his paws. A ruby glow envelops the chamber until all The Heroes can see is red, and in an instant, The Heroes and thieves vanish. Only Raja and his guard stand in the now empty museum.
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 1: Sugary Tuber.*
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 2: 3.14 Orange Squash.**
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 3: Turkey’s Drinking Cup.***
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 4: What a Turkey Hits in Baseball.****
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 5: Plant that Grows from a Turkey.*****
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 6: Opens a Lock on Thanksgiving.******
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 7: What Percussionist Eat on Thanksgiving.*******
HORRIBLE THANKSGIVING PUN NUMBER 8: What a Republican Turkey has.********
To be continued? ? ?
Thoughts on this Session: Another incredible session! Just to show how off the rails this session went: I had three possible scenarios planned: A.) If The Heroes traveled with Wanda to the Orc Lands; B.) The Heroes tried to captured Owlbears; or C.) If they pursued Eyebeam. Everything went off the rails due to role-playing and I couldn't be happier. Scarlett and the museum heist was created on the fly. The Shardsouls came from the Eyebeam scenario, and the Rakshasas from the Owlbear adventure. The mystery of the Heart of Darkness returned. Perhaps The Heroes will finally discover its secrets.
About 2/3rds of this session was dedicated to role playing/character development. Everyone played their character to their natural conclusions, even if it meant splitting the party, or aggravating other members. Dimva was awesome. The unrepentant rogue stole from anyone he came in contact with, including a priest!!! His greed split the party and brought The Heroes into great danger this session and, presumably more, wherever they end up. Garrus was in top form, as he both mourned and prepared for future battle with his undead brother. Instead of merely stating that he was going to town and purchasing a holy rune, he actually went to a church for advice and a rune to aid him in defeating his brother. And he even went to the local blacksmith to weld the rune to his hammer. Henrick tried to console Wanda (although more for The Heroes convenience). His drunken behavior at the Inn and his coveting of the demonic gem makes one wonder about where the demon skull's influence ends and Henrick's desires begin. Erith was quite humorous as an overly inquisitive pest to Lupin. Was he merely being snoopy, or does he have other interest in Lupin? Lupin was her roguish self. Picking pockets and gathering information. Her seeking out Quagmire for information on the missing Idol and Raven Redwing was the first time anyone ever though to seek out previously introduced NPCs for assistance in almost four years!!! Bravo to all!!!
Extra Special Note: December’s session will be a One-Shot adventure DMed by Darby (aka Garrus). I will be playing a new character and will write the recap to that adventure from my PC’s point of view. Miss it not!
* Sugary Tuber: Sugary = sweet; tuber = potato – Sweet Potato.
** 3.14 Orange Squash: 3.14 = pi; orange squash = pumpkin – Pumpkin Pie.
*** Turkey’s Drinking Cup: Turkey = gobble; drinking cup = goblet – Goblet.
**** What a Turkey Hits in Baseball: Turkey = fowl; hits in baseball = balls – Foul (Fowl) Balls.
***** Plant that Grows from a Turkey: Plant = tree; turkey = poultry – Pole Tree.
****** Opens a Lock on Thanksgiving: Opens a lock = key; thanksgiving = Turkey – Tur-Key
******* What Percussionist Eat on Thanksgiving: Percussionist = drummer – Drumsticks.
******** What a Republican Turkey has: Republican = right – Two right wings.
Each Player received a random Drama Card for solving a pun.
Next: Chapter 30 - Familia Paternal
Previous: Chapter 28 - Family Feud