Session 11: The Fire at Jacaranda Manor
General Summary
In this episode of DREAM THIEVES...
In the Factory
Our heroes, still piecing together the strangeness of the hidden manufacturing facility they found, asked the construct questions about the nature of their work here and its connection to Araby Armatures. The construct was able to explain that these hidden manufacturing centers were, in actuality, defense mechanisms for continuing research outside of the influence of the broader network of Araby armatures, and had been built even before Stockton Araby had become leader of the organization, maybe by one or two generations. The heroes worked out a way to retrieve the infernal engine contained down in the mines when there were hordes of spiders crawling all over, making returning challenging. Zanuriel volunteered to put the new armature to the test, sliding down the chain back into the pit, pulling the infernal engine out of the machine, then, with the help of his team, climbing back out before the spiders could climb up after him! He made it, but was too late to stop one large spider from crossing the threshold. A battle ensued, the spider crashing into the sidewall of the facility as it took its last breath. The heroes leapt out of the facility back to the safety of Squarehill Keep.Exploring the other Hidden Shops
Our heroes caught on to the nature of the Runic devise used to conceal the other 'tenants' of Squarehill keep, and so brought men and creatures of other natures to activate the other portals. They visited a chaotic potion shop run by a strange old man who purported only selling his good to the criminal element. They purchased some wares after convincing the man that they were scoundrels themselves. Our heroes activated the Runic portal once more to discover an exotic animal stable filled with creatures they'd never seen before. Torrentous tussled with a treasure goblin who began stealing his things. Azriel searched the stable for treasure while the other heroes helped keep the stablemaster, a man of dubious moral character, occupied. Our heroes freed a Feywild Racoon who was another member of the brothers that was rescued down in the hag's den. An angry peacock demanded of Aeða that she kill her traveling companions, having sensed some form of darkness within her. When she refused, and with the peacock's thirst for blood yet unsatiated, demanded that she take its life instead. Zanuriel pulled an item out of a gelatinous cube with Mechayla the armature. In the end the heroes took the life of the stablemaster and went on their way.Catastrophe at Jacaranda Manor
Our heroes said goodbye to Squarekeep Hill and ventured forth to Jacaranda Manor, their only lead as to where the previous Dream Thieves were going. When they arrived, they were horrified to discover that the manor had been set on fire by the Clockwork Dragon! It was a race against time to save as many people as they could with clockwork soldiers roaming about. Our heroes bravely raced into the burning building and saved the servants who were in danger. They also came across a young woman named Jessa, daughter of house Jacaranda. As they escaped the building just as it collapsed, she recommended that they travel to a nearby inn for shelter as they regrouped to figure out what happened and where to go next. She said her mother and father were in Willoughby and they could meet up with them in a matter of days. Aeða, who had talked to servants during the escape, convinced Jessa to reveal her real name, which was discovered to be Auclaire. The family had taken on a fake last name to hide from Araby Armatures. What will the future hold for our heroes? Will they ever find their fallen companions? Find out in our next episode of DREAM THIEVES!
Aeða Mɛlñɛriæn
Azriel Carynthian
Zanuriel Leafbreeze
Torentous Tenaysius
Gervil Norev
Report Date
11 Dec 2023