- Lupin Damakos, Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
- Ffion Tanwen, Female Dragonborn Cleric
- Amidaeus, Female Elf Rogue
- Erith Elmaris, Male Elf Druid
- Lobis Thunderfoot, Male Gnome ????
(Editor’s note: If you read last session’s recap, you may recall the cliffhanger was when Captain Ahab entered the warehouse as The Heroes were attempting to leave. Well I am pleased to announce the return of one of our original members [she previously played the Elf ranger, Crick and later the Dragonborn fighter, Humperdink] playing a brand-new PC. Not content to just be magically ensconced within the party, we now move the clock back a few minutes before Ahab’s entrance.)
The Lizard Lass introduces herself as Ffion Tanwin, a cleric sent by General Sterling to help locate the Waters of Restoration. She explains that many people from her village, including her parents, were exposed to an unknown disease when the Crimson Empire attacked. She believes the Waters may offer a cure.
A suspicious Lobis enquires why they should believe her. An exasperated Lupin reminds him that that is exactly what they did when they first encountered him (see Wedding Crashers). Lobis protests that was different, that he arrived with Egad. Lupin reminds him that he could have fooled Egad as well. A contrite Lobis agrees to let Ffion join them under the condition that they keep an eye on her. (And now, back to where we left off.)
The Heroes are unsympathetic and ask why he betrayed them. He tells them it was nothing personal, and that the plan was already in place before they arrived. The original plan was to steal the Waters from the Crimson Empire, until The Heroes hijacked the ship (see Aerial Adversaries), so there should be no hard feelings. Lupin demands the 2,000 in gold the United paid him for delivering the water. Ahab claims he did deliver the water, they just didn’t specify which water. Besides, he already used the gold to pay off debts.
The Conniving Conman claims that it wouldn’t reflect well for a pirate to attack his client; or to be know that he was so easily swindled. However, since The Heroes are outsiders, no one will mind if they intervene in the larcenous activities of the client he sold the waters to: William Williamsworth.
The name rings a bell with both Erith and Amidaeus. Erith recalls that he was the gentleman at the bar that he was flirting with before they were interrupted (see Fight or Flight). Amidaeus recalls the name of the man King Mork is paying a bounty on (see Deadly Persuasion). The Petulant Pirate purports that William is staying at the inn at Mos Eisley. Since he is no longer in possession of the Waters, The Heroes decide fighting Ahab would be fruitless and choose to follow their new lead.
The Druid Detective then queries why he is in this ill-reputed part of town if he is looking for Owlbears. The Striking Salesman replies that he purchased some water from a pirate and just had it sent to his client. He informs him that the client is Prince Pyter Pyrite, the wealthiest man in the world. Erith is intrigued and asks where he lives. The Boastful Broker tells him Pyter lives on the far side of town, in the more genteel neighborhoods. The Flirtatious Fey then enquires as to where he is staying tonight. The Dashing Dealer informs him that he has a room upstairs. He then invites Erith to join him.
A famished Amidaeus declares that she wants to order a Nachos plater. Lobis is confused and isn’t sure what that is. The Ravenous Rogue tells him that they are chips covered with meat, cheese, and peppers and assures him that he will love it. After finding out it cost two gold coins, she demands five silver from everyone. The Heroes are not disappointed when Babs places a huge washtub sized plater of loaded Nachos in front of them. Lupin is ecstatic that she can afford to buy her own meals and no longer has to eat scraps. The Teen-age Tiefling tucks into the Nachos with gusto. Thanks to her demonic heritage, the heat of the hot peppers has no effect on her. Lobis makes the mistake of scarfing down the hot peppers. The jalapenos have him howling for relief. Amidaeus orders a glass of milk from the bar to sooth his torched tongue. Ffion prefers to have hers a little toastier, so she discreetly uses her fiery breath to slightly char her Nachos.
The two bodyguards stand outside of what they presume is William’s room. Feigning being drunk, Lobis staggers up to them and asks if the restrooms are here. The irate guards shoo him off, and he and Amidaeus leave. In an attempt to save money, the four Heroes cram themselves into a single room for the night.
Lupin and Amidaeus mount the wall and precariously balance themselves as they scamper past the inattentive guards, toward the door. Her large stature and weight force the less agile Ffion to come up with her own plan to enter the grounds. After setting a tree adjoining the wall on fire with her breath, the guards rush through the gate to put out the blaze. With all eyes on the burning bush, Ffion quickly slips through the gate and joins her friends at the door. Trying to pick the lock before the guards return, they find that the door can only be opened by solving a series of puns.
HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN/CANDY PUNS
1: Happy Nut.*
2: Small amount of Bee Secretion.**
3: Nova.***
4: Rich Boyfriend.****
5: Dad Stones.*****
6: Sugary and Sour.******
7: Chewy Bruins.*******
8: Lactose Path.********
Lupin discovers a hallway and enters the first door. It is a bedroom. Opening a jewelry box, she pours its contents into her satchel. Amidaeus is not so lucky. She enters a damp concrete passageway. Checking for traps, she is soon called back up as they enter the next room. Opening the door, they discover a formal dining/ballroom. Amidaeus and Lupin immediately plunder the silverware, making sure to secure them so as not to make noise. Examining the room, they see windows on the three walls, indicating that there is no place left to search. Lupin hops upon the dining table to see if there is something they are overlooking. Noticing skid marks on the floor at the end of the table, they shove the table forward, revealing a flight of stairs.
Lupin uses her spider climb to travel on the celling to scout ahead. Suddenly, a large shadow emerges from the dank waters. Tentacles reach up toward Lupin as a monster that appears to be all mouth and appendages attacks the Heroes.
Lobis recognizes it as an Otyugh. The Heroes try to fight from afar while Lupin fights from above. Realizing that physical combat is their best option, they rush forward to flank the Tentacled Terror. Finally defeated, the foul creature deflates like a giant bullfrog back into the muck. As they travel further, the water slowly recedes as the path rises.
The Heroes are knocked off their feet, Lobis is the first to recover. He shouts to the others to stand back. Lifting an amulet from around his neck, he reveals the silver orb containing the eye of petrification from a Beholder (see Wedding Crashers).
In shock and disbelief (both as players and PCs) the remaining Heroes scramble to decide what to do. Lupin makes the choice for everyone when she wraps her arms around them and teleports them fifty miles away.
Finding themselves in the middle of a country road, the shaken Heroes plan what to do next. Then, the sudden sound of approaching footsteps frightens the unnerved Heroes. Lupin and Erith quickly mount a tree. The massive Ffion is unable to find a tree that will support her, so she makes her stand near the trunk of the tree. As the footsteps near, a short but stout shadow appears. Stepping into the light, The Heroes see standing before them the Dwarven Cleric: Garrus!
Thoughts on this Session: Great session with an unexpectedly lengthy amount of role playing. There is something about taverns that brings out the role playing in people (see Fight or Flight). It was also humorous that this was the session a potential new player chose to shadow us on. Despite the prolonged roleplaying, he will be joining us as a new character next session. An original player returned as a brand-new PC: Ffion. Her Irish lilt belays her strength in both healing and combat. I loved how she used her natural fiery breath to cause a distraction, and toast her Nachos. Erith continued his flirtation with William to the point where we had our first ever off stage sex scene. (PSA of the month: Beware of strangers you meet in bars. They may drug and sacrifice you to some ancient God!) Lupin arguing with Lobis about trusting Ffion was humorous. Especially when she had to remind him that they met him under similar circumstances. Their confrontation with Ahab was also well done. Amidaeus, Ffion, Lupin, and Lobis’ interactions at the bar while keeping an eye on Erith were very amusing. From the betting on whether he would obtain information; to Lobis’ lack of understanding STDs; to their reactions and manner of eating Nachos, it was like old friends hanging out. Each of The Heroes also employed the method that best suited them for breaking into Prince Pyter’s estate. The Rogue’s sticky fingers scooped up everything that wasn’t nailed down, and found the secret passage to the underground temple. Their battle tactics against both the Otyugh and the cultist went surprisingly well. Sticking together and flanking proved to be an effective method of eliminating both individual and group enemies. The shock and confusion when Lobis was devoured by Orson, was quite real. This was really the first time any Hero irrevocably died. Darby had told me that he wanted to switch back to his original character. He also hoped that Lobis would die in battle. A quick text exchange brought about the demise of the Wee Warrior this session. It also heralded the return of everyone’s favorite Dwarven Cleric: Garrus. Rest in Peace Lobis. Bravo to all!!!
Who are William Williamsworth and Prince Pyter Pyrite? You may remember William from the bar in Fight or Flight. He was the handsome human that Erith was flirting with and that Lupin pilfered an Orc artifact from. However, he was actually introduced way back in Idol Rumors 2, where a drunken Enuf (I miss that guy) was offered a bounty on Owlbears. Lupin also picked his pocket then too. Pyter was briefly introduced as Scarlet’s fiancée in Wedding Crashers. He was first, very briefly, mentioned in the Tales of the Crimson Empire: All that Glitters. After Midas Montague died, he became the wealthiest man in the world by default.
* Happy Nut: Happy=joy; nut=almond—Almond Joy.
** Small amount of Bee Secretion: Small amount=bit; bee secretion=honey—Bit-O-Honey.
*** Nova: Nova=star burst—Starburst.
**** Rich Boyfriend: —Sugar Daddy.
***** Dad Stones: Dad=pop; stones=rocks—Pop Rocks.
****** Sugary and Sour: Sugary=sweet; sour=tart—Sweet-Tarts.
******* Chewy Bruins: Chewy=gummy; bruins=bears—Gummy Bears.
******** Lactose Path: Lactose=milky; path=way—Milky Way.
Next: Chapter 47 - Drunkards and Dragons
Previous: Chapter 45 - Scum and Villainy