Episode 43
General Summary
As Celine, Groban, Barnabus, and Meepo set off towards their ambush site, they are accompanied by Sendai from The Watcher's Legacy. Along the way, Sendai fills them in on the miraculous and dramatic arrivals of the various divine avatars. Each one has made an entrance worthy of legend—either slaying rampaging beasts or triggering extraordinary phenomena that awed entire crowds. However, something about the recent appearances of Mortona and Pulcra strikes the party as odd, their manifestations seeming strangely disconnected from the core principles of their respective doctrines.
Meanwhile, over in Mintaun, Roan and Blair embed themselves within the pilgrimage as it continues along the road to Kureta City. The duo face a few inquisitive pilgrims who question their sudden presence, but they manage to charm their way through these minor interrogations. Later, while camping, they observe the clerics of Adonia heading off for their evening prayers, just as Harke had predicted. Roan and Blair take careful note of the camp’s layout, information they swiftly relay back to the rest of the group—preparations for the ambush are now in full swing.
At the ambush site, a well-frequented resting place for travelers, Collective Action gets creative. They block the road to ensure the pilgrims stop where they need them to, with Celine and Groban preparing to lie in wait underground while Barnabus and Meepo set up a distraction. But when morning comes, they awake to the sound of someone dismantling their carefully constructed roadblock.
Enter The Fist of Justice—rival adventurers who, without realizing it, threaten to unravel the plan. Groban quickly intervenes, convincing the rival group to leave the blockage untouched. However, Alexis, their leader, hints that Collective Action will owe them a favor in the future. As they part ways, Kristoff, one of The Fist of Justice, awkwardly asks after Roan, showing a quiet interest in her favorite flowers—a conversation that leaves him more crestfallen than cheered.
Hours pass, and soon enough, the pilgrims approach. Alexis and his crew pass by first, and Blair and Roan manage to stay out of sight, overhearing a curious exchange. The ruby-tipped staff carried by the Avatar of Adonia is none other than the one Alexis and his crew recovered in a past mission for The MacGuffin Gatherers.
As night falls and the clerics leave for their prayers, it’s go time. Groban and Celine, cloaked in invisibility, creep towards the back of the avatar’s tent. But the divine aura surrounding the avatar catches them off-guard. A wave of magical apathy washes over them, and both are briefly incapacitated. Celine shakes it off just in time as Barnabus storms in, dramatically carrying a seemingly “dead” Meepo as a distraction.
Seizing the moment, Celine sneaks into the tent and lands a well-placed ki strike, stunning the avatar. The avatar shrieks in pain, drawing the attention of the guards. But Barnabus steps up again, using Magic to paralyze the captain of the guard. Celine hauls the avatar out of the tent, though Groban, still overcome by the apathy, remains frozen in place.
In true Collective Action fashion, chaos erupts. A tent is set ablaze, a herd of elk is summoned, and amid the confusion, the avatar of Adonia is polymorphed into a worm and shoved into a Bag of Holding.
With their target in tow, the party makes a swift escape, just barely avoiding those who would give chase. Tragically, in the frenzy of their retreat, one unlucky guard meets their end. At last, the party reaches Sendai, who quickly teleports them to the safety of Watcher’s Keep, their mission complete—though not without leaving behind some consequences.
Report Date
04 Oct 2024
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