Session 34: Shindig
General Summary
BETWEEN SESSIONS: Ripper is summoned by Xor'chylic to get an update on the party's progress and to emphasize the importance of stopping the attack.
Separately, Celosia Senho becomes exhausted after the last meeting with Benne Rowich, and almost passes out. While sleeping she has a nightmare. This is particularly problematic given she is a Kalashtar.
While the others are occupied, Toox, Hult, and Ice have a small misadventure that ends with them passing through stone into a kitchen, where they spill a large pot of stew. The head chef, a terrifying orc with a +12 spoon of wooden vorpalness, puts them to work to make up for what they did. They work hard, and at the end she tells them she's proud of them. They are proud of themselves, too.
It's the beginning of the official meet and greet, and the party is ready. An official escort from the Znir Pact meets them outside their rooms and takes them up a service lift to a separate servant entrance. There is a short walk to a draped off area giving the party a small private area adjacent to the festivities for anything they might need.
Upon arrival they find a uniquely Droaam rooftop gala. The beauty of the event and décor cannot be denied, but not in the 'traditional' sense. An impressive array of food and beverages are on display with clear indicators as to whether they are traditional Breland or Drooam in origin. The 100+ guests mingle, and the party take a moment to get organized. Tarryn and Simon have official duties to attend to, but the rest of the party spreads out and discover different things during the event. For simplicity sake this is grouped it by player character, rather than in straight chronological order.
Ice: Meets the triton bard "Melody" Valesnath. She is extremely perceptive, and is pretty into the fighter. It doesn't take long for her to deduce an attack is coming. She proves herself at least moderately trustworthy, and expresses some doubts as to the other guests- an older dwarf, someone on the Cannith staff, and the head of House Ghallanda. Ice is briefly overwhelmed, and asks Celosia to provide some backup. She does so.
Ripper: Pursuing both his ends and the party's, Ripper corners Merrix d'Cannith and begins questioning him about a way to preserve a person on the brink of death in a long-term stasis chamber. Merrix, who is clearly terrified of Ripper, is eventually won over by the question itself and points out a chamber casting a poison and "gentle repose" on a regular basis would do the trick. Later, Ripper puts in a request for the items to build a prototype.
Hult: Hult begins the party by approaching a group of cruel looking girls and ruining their night. He is extremely successful. Next, he makes his way over to a group of soldiers and attempts something similar. They are, it turns out, just mercenaries. They offer to keep a look out for the group of soldiers Hult is hunting for a small fee, which Hult happily pays.
Later, when Toox gathers specific the info on the threat, Hult approaches Daric d'Velderan and asks him point blank to help find a portable hole. Daric does so, and assists the party in securing the scene.
Celosia: Celosia begins by visiting the dignitaries from House Orien, leading her to a private conversation with Hazel d'Orien. Hazel still wants to help, and points out Door Slam and Melody as people worth talking to. After Ice finds himself in over his head with the Triton, Celosia comes over and introduces herself. She and Melody hit it off, though the bard isn't thrown off the scent of adventure/trouble. During the Gashkalla's big entrance Celosia studies the crowd, spotting a pair of suspicious folk- members of House Cannith and Ghallanda judging by their uniforms- who use the distraction for a quick handoff. Later, she works with Ice and Hult to offer competing deals to House Phiarlan and House Thuranni- the first to retrieve the object in the handoff would be given an exclusive 1 on 1 meeting with their group. Endinwel Cromelon finds her later in the party, and continues to follow her around.
Toox: Toox begins by making contact with Don Jon Raskin, and by extension House Sivis. She discovers Lysse Lyrriman d'Sivis is actively hunting Trelib d'Medani, who has apparently gone into hiding. Intrigued, she decides to attempt to locate the House Medani head herself. After a brief moment reconnecting with the Orc chef she discovers a secret room not far from the party where Trelib is managing things through his proxy, Alotel Dlarraithar. Trelib does not appreciate being interrupted, but does agree to help Toox put together the pieces. Given the rough and unprofessional nature of the group, the attack is going to be something rudimentary but destructive. A portable hole and a bag of holding would do the trick. He then makes it very clear that, should Toox find him again, he will focus his considerable ability on making her regret that choice.
Meanwhile, the Ghaash'kala make an unexpected arrival. Their leader, Kharzug Rockbasher, announces a demon has infiltrated Khorvaire. This demon presents and existential threat to everyone, and they are certain collaborators are amongst the gathering. They demand the the guests submit to a thorough search by the Ghaash'kala. The partygoers, one and all, demure and attempt to politely ignore the orcs. Disgusted, they allow themselves to be shown to rooms. Finally, with Toox having discovered the means of attack and Hult enlisting aide, they find a low-ranking diplomat with a portable hole on his person. The party, along with House Tharashk guards, encircle and capture the diplomat, a halfling named Giles Brandywood. Hold Person is cast, and Sora Maenya calls for Xor'Chylic to probe the would-be attacker's mind. Giles protests his innocence, but his head then explodes noisily before any investigations are able to commence.
The situation is extremely tense. Armed guards, soldiers, and guests have weapons in hand and blood is about to be spilled. However, Kwanti d'Orien speaks up. He deescalates the situation, calling for peace. Sora Katra tells Hult to search the body. Hult finds a portable hole and note (see: Giles' Note) that confirms his involvement, but no sign of the symbol anywhere on his body. There is some conversation around whether the head might have contained the Symbol. Merrix helps, reconsituting the head. However, no symbol is found.
The gathering comes to an awkward end, with every guest searched for portable holes on the way out. This proves problematic for Merrix, who admits to Celosia he has 4 portable holes on his person. Celosia goes with him to discuss the situation with Sora Katra, who allows Merrix to choose between having them destroyed on the spot or submitting himself to Xor'Chylic's mental probing to confirm he is not the culprit. He eagerly agrees to the latter, though he is decidedly less eager when it is finished. As for Xor'Chylic, he seems amused.
Epilogue: Ripper still sends his sprites to follow the two possible conspirators, and Hult is looking for an opportunity to return to his lamp and give report.
Separately, Celosia Senho becomes exhausted after the last meeting with Benne Rowich, and almost passes out. While sleeping she has a nightmare. This is particularly problematic given she is a Kalashtar.
While the others are occupied, Toox, Hult, and Ice have a small misadventure that ends with them passing through stone into a kitchen, where they spill a large pot of stew. The head chef, a terrifying orc with a +12 spoon of wooden vorpalness, puts them to work to make up for what they did. They work hard, and at the end she tells them she's proud of them. They are proud of themselves, too.
It's the beginning of the official meet and greet, and the party is ready. An official escort from the Znir Pact meets them outside their rooms and takes them up a service lift to a separate servant entrance. There is a short walk to a draped off area giving the party a small private area adjacent to the festivities for anything they might need.
Upon arrival they find a uniquely Droaam rooftop gala. The beauty of the event and décor cannot be denied, but not in the 'traditional' sense. An impressive array of food and beverages are on display with clear indicators as to whether they are traditional Breland or Drooam in origin. The 100+ guests mingle, and the party take a moment to get organized. Tarryn and Simon have official duties to attend to, but the rest of the party spreads out and discover different things during the event. For simplicity sake this is grouped it by player character, rather than in straight chronological order.
Ice: Meets the triton bard "Melody" Valesnath. She is extremely perceptive, and is pretty into the fighter. It doesn't take long for her to deduce an attack is coming. She proves herself at least moderately trustworthy, and expresses some doubts as to the other guests- an older dwarf, someone on the Cannith staff, and the head of House Ghallanda. Ice is briefly overwhelmed, and asks Celosia to provide some backup. She does so.
Ripper: Pursuing both his ends and the party's, Ripper corners Merrix d'Cannith and begins questioning him about a way to preserve a person on the brink of death in a long-term stasis chamber. Merrix, who is clearly terrified of Ripper, is eventually won over by the question itself and points out a chamber casting a poison and "gentle repose" on a regular basis would do the trick. Later, Ripper puts in a request for the items to build a prototype.
Hult: Hult begins the party by approaching a group of cruel looking girls and ruining their night. He is extremely successful. Next, he makes his way over to a group of soldiers and attempts something similar. They are, it turns out, just mercenaries. They offer to keep a look out for the group of soldiers Hult is hunting for a small fee, which Hult happily pays.
Later, when Toox gathers specific the info on the threat, Hult approaches Daric d'Velderan and asks him point blank to help find a portable hole. Daric does so, and assists the party in securing the scene.
Celosia: Celosia begins by visiting the dignitaries from House Orien, leading her to a private conversation with Hazel d'Orien. Hazel still wants to help, and points out Door Slam and Melody as people worth talking to. After Ice finds himself in over his head with the Triton, Celosia comes over and introduces herself. She and Melody hit it off, though the bard isn't thrown off the scent of adventure/trouble. During the Gashkalla's big entrance Celosia studies the crowd, spotting a pair of suspicious folk- members of House Cannith and Ghallanda judging by their uniforms- who use the distraction for a quick handoff. Later, she works with Ice and Hult to offer competing deals to House Phiarlan and House Thuranni- the first to retrieve the object in the handoff would be given an exclusive 1 on 1 meeting with their group. Endinwel Cromelon finds her later in the party, and continues to follow her around.
Toox: Toox begins by making contact with Don Jon Raskin, and by extension House Sivis. She discovers Lysse Lyrriman d'Sivis is actively hunting Trelib d'Medani, who has apparently gone into hiding. Intrigued, she decides to attempt to locate the House Medani head herself. After a brief moment reconnecting with the Orc chef she discovers a secret room not far from the party where Trelib is managing things through his proxy, Alotel Dlarraithar. Trelib does not appreciate being interrupted, but does agree to help Toox put together the pieces. Given the rough and unprofessional nature of the group, the attack is going to be something rudimentary but destructive. A portable hole and a bag of holding would do the trick. He then makes it very clear that, should Toox find him again, he will focus his considerable ability on making her regret that choice.
Meanwhile, the Ghaash'kala make an unexpected arrival. Their leader, Kharzug Rockbasher, announces a demon has infiltrated Khorvaire. This demon presents and existential threat to everyone, and they are certain collaborators are amongst the gathering. They demand the the guests submit to a thorough search by the Ghaash'kala. The partygoers, one and all, demure and attempt to politely ignore the orcs. Disgusted, they allow themselves to be shown to rooms. Finally, with Toox having discovered the means of attack and Hult enlisting aide, they find a low-ranking diplomat with a portable hole on his person. The party, along with House Tharashk guards, encircle and capture the diplomat, a halfling named Giles Brandywood. Hold Person is cast, and Sora Maenya calls for Xor'Chylic to probe the would-be attacker's mind. Giles protests his innocence, but his head then explodes noisily before any investigations are able to commence.
The situation is extremely tense. Armed guards, soldiers, and guests have weapons in hand and blood is about to be spilled. However, Kwanti d'Orien speaks up. He deescalates the situation, calling for peace. Sora Katra tells Hult to search the body. Hult finds a portable hole and note (see: Giles' Note) that confirms his involvement, but no sign of the symbol anywhere on his body. There is some conversation around whether the head might have contained the Symbol. Merrix helps, reconsituting the head. However, no symbol is found.
The gathering comes to an awkward end, with every guest searched for portable holes on the way out. This proves problematic for Merrix, who admits to Celosia he has 4 portable holes on his person. Celosia goes with him to discuss the situation with Sora Katra, who allows Merrix to choose between having them destroyed on the spot or submitting himself to Xor'Chylic's mental probing to confirm he is not the culprit. He eagerly agrees to the latter, though he is decidedly less eager when it is finished. As for Xor'Chylic, he seems amused.
Epilogue: Ripper still sends his sprites to follow the two possible conspirators, and Hult is looking for an opportunity to return to his lamp and give report.
Report Date
28 Sep 2021
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