Session 31
General Summary
Early Evening – Let's Split the Party
In the most natural split of the party, Rani (mother-figure) went with the two uncles with varying responsibility (Newt & The Widow), while sending the children (Ghilani & Moira) and their new friend (Trix) off by themselves.The Children
Obviously, the first thing to investigated was the OUT-OF-ORDER toilet near the front of the train. Upon arrival, it seemed that the toilet was... horribly clogged. After standing there discussing whether or not they really should dig around there, Ghilani sent the mage hand in, covering the scent of the bathroom with an overbearing scent of lavender. Despite their best efforts... they found nothing. The second thing to investigate would clearly be the locked door. Teleatrix tried, and failed, to pick the lock, but did happen to notice a wire connected to the door latch after trying to look under the door. Ghilani misty stepped in as Moira kept Newt in the loop on the exhilirating developing action. Ghilani – afraid to move from his spot – took note of a wall of fuel cells (that didn't appear to be tampered with) and the embedded wire trap (not rigged) before he misty stepped back out. Progressing to the engine room, the trio spoke with Dr. Paramount and Oleander at the control station. Jeeshen offered to let Ghilani try his hand at the engines. After taking over from one of the on-staff mages, he felt integrated and connected with the Iron Arrow, contributing to its ability to hover over the guiding tracks... until there was mention of an "overgrown blue lizard". Ghilani then asked how Jeeshen would sabotage the train, since he's so knowledgable. Jeeshen, after giving all three a confused and concerned look, obliged with some of his thoughts on how to effectively bring down the Iron Arrow... she isn't perfect after all.The Elders
In the "noble-only" lounge car, Rani took note of the performance group setting up while she also - along with Newt - overheard two elven socialites gossiping. One of them went on and on about her boyfriend in Lark'Hal - don't worry, it's not Tatya. Oh how she didn't want to return home, but alas, her father pays for her education and she couldn't deny his request! Newt remarked that: "They're too rich to have problems." After searching the last car for signs of smiley faces (and finding none), the trio decided to try their hand at jumping between cars from the rooftops. Rani clearly is an expert at this. While on top of the Executive Suite Car, Newt became a buzzard and tried to slide down the side of the car to peer into the windows. The Widow and Rani had a good hold on the robe, but Newt - unprepared - slammed into the side of the car and proceeded to look immediately through the closest window... and made direct eye contact with the High Lord. Aftering getting quick glance around what appears to be a bedroom and seeing the High Lord speak to someone outside his field of view, he scrambled back up the side of the car. Sure enough, a guard came onto the roof and asked what the hell they were doing. Newt is totally not a liar. After traversing through the cars (like normal people again), Rani knocked on Dr. Valdove's door. Newt immediately tried to sit on the invisible people. After mentioning said invisible people... Dr. Valdove sighed and two spectral undead appeared on her bed. It seems they were old competitors who tried to sabotage her... and it backfired. Now, they provide protection.Speaking with Dr. Valdove
Having summoned Ghilani (and by extension, the other children), Dr. Valdove began to discuss research. She first asked about the journal and, of course, Trix signed the NDA. After perusing the journal briefly, Dr. Valdove asked to keep it. She believes that – if granted the required time to study it – she can design a spell to decipher it. Rani, however, did not wish to part with the journal when the situation was so uncertain. Dr. Valdove seemed fine with that response, albeit perhaps a bit annoyed with the delay. Dr. Valdove's old graduate student was recently sent to investigate strange crystals in Magaso'Fa. He sent her some fascinating readings that's she's been working on understanding and interpreting. When Dr. Valdove paused to ask if everyone could be trusted with this sensitive information, the Widow chimed in that "no everyone can't be trusted" – pointedly referring specifically to Moira... And so, Dr. Valdove kicked all but Rani and Ghilani out before putting up a magical ward so that they may not be disturbed. The crystals seem to be binding crystals, working in tandem to keep something – something powerful no doubt – trapped. With time, Dr. Valdove believes she may be able to devise a spell to perceive beyond the binding... Given that preliminary data may suggest the binding crystals are weakening after some were shattered... it may be best to risk knowing what's beyond and being prepared to deal with any threat that emerges... rather than waiting for whatever it is to inevitably break out on its own terms...Evening – The Bloody Housekeeper
Following the High Lord and Dr. Valdove, the party went to the lounge car to watch Desiree's performance. Newt and Widow almost immediately departed to go and poke around. Digging through Desiree's room, they found nothing of note besides a portrait... of an older fire genasi man and, wait, is that Ezra? They then moved to the Executive car once again hoping to poke around. After successfully picking a lock to the side door into the Executive suite, Newt found it both trapped and barred. Seems security ISN'T a complete shamble around these parts. Back in the lounge car, Rani overheard the High Lord and the Ironbound brothers discussing the Iron Arrow and some of its funders, including High Dremoran Council members: Tatsuya of Ragna, Kuan Ti Ironborn of Nacheevi, Carter Steelwind of Ah'Shal, and Ssephirona La'Talenna of Carmenthia. On her way back to her seat, she conveniently spilled her drink on one of the socialites, saving Serene from an awkward conversation that she clearly wanted no part of. Shortly after, Moira mind linked with Serene and asked her about her research. Dr. Valdove is interested in lost magical arts and often dabbles in creating arcane spells of her own. When in her field, you have to be aggressive in pursuing leads given that the city of Judas – and almost all direct links to the Ladies of Luck - were lost to time and the horrible effects of the Wasteland. Rani then cast locate object and detected a ping. She and Moira immediately went into pursuit. Once on the roof of one of the passenger cars, Rani felt the ping move and managed to catch a glimpse of a housekeeper ducking out the other side of the car. After signaling for backup, Rani followed... only to open a door to find a housekeeper waiting to stab her. After then taking our Moira in a single hit, the rest of the party arrived for reinforcements. Although she tried to run, the Deep End managed to knock her out and tie her up, turning her over to Serene after the High Lord refused to provide guards... surely you should be able of handling one measly assassin, yes?Smiley Faces Around Us – I KNEW IT WAS OLEANDER!
After handling the first assassin, healing up, poking around a room, and regrouping... Rani detected one more ping in the direction of the front of the train. Arriving to the chaotic, somewhat hot and humid, scene of the engine car, the Deep End moved in on Dr. Paramount and her assistant, Oleander. Rani began chatting and put herself between the two, determining that it was Oleander who was triggering the spell. While waiting to make their move, Newt noticed Oleander slide a small metal device from his sleeve into his hand... Moments later, there were two explosions... followed by screams.
Report Date
03 Feb 2022
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