- Ffion Tanwen,
Female Dragonborn Cleric - Garrus Ironside,
Male Dwarf Cleric - Amidaeus,
Female Elf Vampire - Mortos,
Male Tiefling Druid - Lupin Damakos,
Female Tiefling Rogue + Willow, Cat Animal Companion
Captain Jack proclaims that it is too risky to stay at sea. Fortunately, there is a friendly port nearby: Tiny Town. The Heroes recall their previous visits to the Hospitable Hamlet (see Return to the Isle of the Apes and Perfidia) and agree to wait out the storm there.
Entering the gates, they are greeted with a seemingly deserted town. The streets, homes, and storefronts are all devoid of the sights and sounds that usually populate this vibrant village. As they march down the main street, Lupin decides to go off on her own. Garrus attempts to stop her, but a poor perception roll against her stealth leaves him wondering where she vanished to.
Following the marks out onto the street, she notices similar marks from every doorway leading onto the street, all heading in one direction. Following the trail, the Demonic Detective finds herself in front of a locked warehouse.
Jack volunteers to escort them and make sure they stay out of trouble. Garrus proclaims him a good man, as The Heroes proceed to the tavern. Entering the tavern, they find it deserted as well. Bellying up to the bar, the Diminutive Dwarf proclaims that the drinks are on the house. Mortos corrects him, stating that they are on the bar.
Hearing a slight scuffling from the corner, the Rugged Reverend raises his hammer and shield and steps toward the sound (Mortos had been playing a random soundtrack of medieval/action movie songs since the session began. At this point, an eerie melody began to play, which added to the surprisingly tense scene).
Recognizing Garrus, Bob orders his companion to put the knife down. The figure steps from behind Garrus and reveals himself to be the Human Cleric of Kord Garrus visited for guidance last time. Bob and Father Franklin are both relieved to see a familiar face.
Garrus and Ffion begin to interrogate the two townsfolk about the vanishing villagers. They reply that it started slowly at first. They would go to shops or friend’s homes, but nobody would be there. They just assumed that they stepped out for a moment and would be back soon. Then they noticed the streets becoming less crowded, but again thought nothing of it. Until they soon realized that they were the only two villagers left in town. No sounds of battle, no signs of struggle. Everyone just disappeared. Hearing someone approaching, they prepared to defend themselves. Fortunately, it turned out to be their old friend, Garrus.
Entering, he begins to address his shipmates but suddenly realizes that they have all been transformed into stone statues. The Frightened Fiend flees and takes refuge in a nearby fabric shop. Grabbing a bolt of fabric, the Terrified Tiefling trembles and wraps the cloth around himself as a makeshift comfort blanket.
While attempting to pick the lock of the warehouse door, an arrow narrowly misses Lupin’s neck. Turning, the Raging Rogue comes face-to-face with a Medusa. Too late to avert her gaze, the Demon Damsel is slowed. Barely able to move, she teleports down the street. Pursued by the Medusa firing arrows after her, the Sluggish She-devil tries to reunite with her friends.
The Heroes are barely able to brace the door shut, as the Loathsome Lizards lean on the door. Garrus decides to bull rush the door. Knocking it off its hinges, the Powerful Priest plows the Petrifying Pests across the street.
As soon as they save from either slowness or immobilization, it seems they are inflicted with another. It becomes a repetitive battle of spells and saves, until The Heroes mange to slay one of the beast.
A relieved, but still frightened Mortos ask Amidaeus if she would like to share his comfort blanket. He assures her he has enough, as he wrapped the entire bolt of fabric around himself.
Meanwhile, Willow has come upon the cold Cockatrice Corpse. After Willow and Amidaeus gorge themselves on the dead blood and carcass, the sated Heroes hear the continuous commotion coming from the blacksmith’s shop and rush to investigate.
However, Lupin already has other plans and leaps upon the Medusa, slashing her throat with her blade. Recalling that the way to unpetrify people is to place Medusa’s blood on their lips, Lupin gathers up several vials as The Heroes relate their individual encounters.
Freeing Jack and the other Tieflings, Lupin decides to run off on her own again. A collective shout from the rest of The Heroes makes her stop in her tracks. Lupin relates how she followed the scratch marks to a warehouse, presumably, that is where the rest of the townsfolk are hidden.
A leering Odrom (see Return to the Elemental Empire) sneers “Well, well! We meet again!” Waving his free hand, the Stony Sorcerer spins a spell that reanimates the townsfolk into an army of living stone statues. An army that begins to flood out the doors, charging toward The Heroes.
So much was going on that we forgot the puns during the session.
HORRIBLE ANIMAL HOMONYMS PUNS
1: Naked Bruin.*
2: Fibbing Feline.**
3: Fraudulent Feline.***
4: Cherished Doe.****
5: Insect’s Mother’s Sister.*****
6: Sexy Canine.******
7: Sea Mammal’s Cry.*******
8: Sea Mammal’s Reason to Be.********
9: Insect’s Pants Zipper.*********
10: Bragging Blackbird.**********
11: Rooster’s Penis.***********
12: Groovy Large African Mammal.************
Lupin unintentionally split the party while trying to case the town and solve the mystery of the missing townsfolks. Her slow-mo pursuit caused her to pull out every transporting trick she had up her sleeve. She had an extremely hard time breaking the slowing and poison effects, which is odd since she only needed an eleven or higher (50/50 chance). Leaping before she looked caused her to be put in danger again at the end. Garrus’ investigation of the blacksmith’s shop was surprisingly intense. I didn’t plan it to be, but between the atmospheric music and the creepy events that mimicked horror movies, it became a bit nerve racking. Interrogating Bob and Fredrick helped to flesh out the backstory of the disappearing townsfolk. Amidaeus’ concern for her friends led her to follow Mortos. Defeating the giant Cockatrice, she hoped to use its blood to sate her hunger. Won’t she be surprised when she realizes that only the blood of sentient creatures will appease her newfound appetite. Joining Garrus at the Blacksmith’s shop, Ffion aided in the interrogation of Bob and Fredrick that revealed much of the mystery that surrounded this adventure. Fending off the Basilisks forced her to use many of her spells, putting her on the offense rather than the defense for a change. Mortos was still, understandably, upset with Veratu. Their antagonism led to the party splitting up further. His initial fear upon finding them turned to stone was palpable. Especially when he used the bolt of cloth for a comfort blanket. Bravo to all!!!
** Fibbing Feline: Lying Lion
*** Fraudulent Feline: Cheating Cheetah.
**** Cherished Doe: Dear Deer.
***** Insect’s Mother’s Sister: Ant’s Aunt.
****** Sexy Canine: Foxy Fox.
******* Sea Mammal’s Cry: Whale’s Wail.
******** Sea Mammal’s Reason to Be: Porpoise’s Purpose.
********* Insect’s Pants Zipper: Fly’s Fly.
********** Bragging Blackbird: Crowing Crow.
********** Rooster’s Penis: Cock’s Cock.
************ Groovy Large African Mammal: Hip Hippo.
Next: Chapter 56 - Rock of Ages
Previous: Chapter 54 - The Long Game