- Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Cleric - Ffion Tanwen,
Female Dragonborn Cleric - Amidaeus,
Female Elf Vampire - Mortos,
Male Tiefling Druid - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue +
Willow, Cat Animal Companion
As Lupin raises her hand to place the Medusa’s blood on the lips of the first statue, a stony hand clamps around her wrist. A hand belonging to the Stone Sorcerer: Odrom. As he casts a spell, the reanimated stone townsfolk begin to charge toward The Heroes (see Stony Reception).
Hurling an assortment of crates and barrels to blockade the street behind them, The Heroes manage to buy themselves a moment’s respite to come up with a plan.
As the Monolithic Mob breaks through the blockade, Lupin suggests that they locate a safer venue to continue the debate. Father Franklin proclaims that there is a secret room in his temple.
Suggestions range from Mortos transmogrifying into a Heffalump and using its flight and trunk to spray the crowd (vetoed because Disney may sue them); transmogrifying into a whale and using its spout to spray the crowd (vetoed because its own weight on land would crush it); placing the blood on artificial lips and kissing each of the townsfolk (vetoed because of sexual harassment); and throwing the blood into the fountain and spraying the crowd (vetoed because the water would dilute the blood, and the fountains’ water pressure is far too weak).
Slashing away at Odrom, Lupin notices a figure leap off the rooftop next to her. A second Medusa casts her spell on the Raging Rogue, slowing her. Fighting back, the Larcenous Lass lacerates the Lizard Lady, but the Ghastly Gorgon’s gaze causes her to become immobilized. Odrom turns and casts the final petrification spell upon the Terrific Tiefling, transforming her to stone.
Lilly reveals that she once ruled the desert lands as queen, but was betrayed by her trusted friend, a Medusa, who turned her to stone and married her husband, the king. It is that pain of love and betrayal that has fueled her for all these many years. She claims she has the power to cure them, but not herself. Lilly proposes a proposition: She will restore The Heroes to flesh and blood, if they will free her with the Medusa’s blood immediately after their release. When asked who her husband was, she replies: El Kah, who then wed their cleric, Cleopatra.
The Heroes are shocked when they realize they are now talking about The United’s new ally (see Past Tense). They agree to free Lilly, but request that she postpones her vengeance for a year. Since she has waited so long already, Lilly agrees and prepares to cast her spell. She claims that she needs the emotions of one they love, or hate, to fuel the magic necessary to return them to flesh and blood. One by one, she enquires each of The Heroes to reveal the one of whom they have felt either a deep love or hate towards.
Garrus smashes Odrom to pieces with his hammer, while Mortos and Ffion finish off the Medusa. Garrus loots Odrom’s body and finds gold as well as a stone medallion. A shocked Mortos didn’t realize that was allowed. Looting the Medusa’s body, he finds a pouch of gold and a pearl necklace.
Seeking his advice, Garrus pulls Father Franklin aside. He wonders if the Gods have forsaken them by allowing this war with the Crimson Empire to ravage the world. Franklin tells him that perhaps this is a test of their faith, after all Kord is a God of war. He continues and states that there are many times when it seems that the Gods have forsaken them, but perhaps it is us who are forsaking them.
Garrus wonders if they are being disrespectful to their faith with their doubts. Father Franklin assures him that they are not, and that part of religion is to question the Lord’s will in both good and bad times.
Father Franklin then tells Garrus that he has heard of someone who seems to be gathering icons of lesser-known evil deities, but knows not their intent. Garrus asks if he knows who it is. The Paternal Priest purports that it is perhaps possible that the pilfering Prince Pyter Pyrite is the purloining perpetrator. Garrus relates that his companions have had a run-in with him, and that one of their members had lost their life fighting just such an evil deity (see Sleeping with the Enemy). Garrus asks if Father Franklin knows the reasoning behind these acts. Father Franklin can’t imagine, but believes it can only be for nefarious purposes. He smiles and places his hand on Garrus’ shoulder, proclaiming that they should worry about it another day, for now is a time to celebrate, as they rejoin the festivities.
So much was going on that we forgot the puns during the session.
HORRIBLE ANIMAL HOMONYMS PUNS
1: Drilling Wild Pig.*
2: Flying Mammal’s Wooden Club.**
3: Wild Canine’s Bark.***
4: Horned Mammal’s Secret Marriage.****
5: Special Ops Sea Mammal.*****
6: Tiresome Wild Pig.******
7: Frightened Fowl.*******
8: Grouchy Crustation.********
9: Gushing Deer.*********
10: Scamming Sea Creature.**********
11: Hoarse Amphibian.***********
12: Equestrian with a Sore Throat.************
13: Pinching Fowl.*************
14: Buff Sled Dog.**************
Lupin put on quite an acrobatic show with Squirrel Mortos. Her love interest in Rose came as a shock, and may explain some of the tension of their last encounter (see Scum and Villainy). She was also determined to free Lilly, as per their agreement. Eager to learn more of what occurred in the past. Garrus was determined to restore the townsfolk. Holding the line without harming the townsfolk inflicted much damage on him. His forbidden love interest was an interesting revelation. From his talk with Father Franklin, he seems to be questioning his faith. Amidaeus had to leave early to get her rest for a wedding. Before she left, her “brainstorming” with the others on how to free the townsfolk proved to be quite hilarious. Her departure also provided a nice segue for Captain Jack and the Tiefling Delegation to avoid the upcoming battle. Ffion was adamant about aiding the townsfolk; knowing all too well the horrors of having one’s village infected by dark magics. We have yet to meet Abertha yet, but the love/hate relationship Ffion shares with her ensures that it will be an interesting development. Mortos' litany of bizarre solutions to restoring the townsfolk, as well as his knowledge of fountain water pressure, were extremely amusing. His acrobatic tail swishing aided Lupin in distributing the medusa’s blood to the townsfolk’s lips. I didn’t realize he was so young that he had never been in love before. However, he still harbors passion in his heart. His glee in discovering looting was humorous, as was his hope for rewards from the Townsfolk. Bravo to all!!!
Who is Odrom? One of the earliest foes The Heroes ever fought (see Mini-Adventures 1—4) The Heroes encountered Odrom the Sorcerer trying to revive a petrified Beholder. Things went wrong when he succeeded and was promptly turned to stone when the creature awoke. Through dark magics, Odrom regained mobility and set himself up to take over the Elemental Empire. Capturing Sampson, he assassinated King Thundarr and framed The Heroes (see Diplomatic Impunity). The now king of the Elemental Empire faced the Heroes again (see Return to the Elemental Empire) but was shattered to pieces by a freed Sampson. The Heroes didn’t ask, but since he was merged with the Heat of Darkness when he was shattered, he used its teleportation powers to reassemble his remains in Tiny Town.
* Drilling Wild Pig: Boring Boar.
** Flying Mammal’s Wooden Club: Bat’s Bat
*** Wild Canine’s Bark: Wolf’s Woof.
**** Horned Mammal’s Secret Marriage: Antelope Elope.
***** Special Ops Sea Mammal: Seal SEAL.
****** Tiresome Wild Pig: Boring Boar.
******* Frightened Fowl: Chicken Chicken.
******** Grouchy Crustation: Crabby Crab.
********* Gushing Deer: Fawning Fawn.
********** Scamming Sea Creature: Phishing Fish.
********** Hoarse Amphibian: Froggy Frog.
************ Equestrian with a Sore Throat: Hoarse Horse.
*********** Pinching Fowl: Goosing Goose.
************** Buff Sled Dog: Husky Husky.
Next: Chapter 57 - Snake Charmer
Previous: Chapter 55 - Stony Reception