WH Arc 2: The Show must go on

Welcome everyone, to another session of Windswept Horizon. Great to see you all here, lets get started. Recap:

In our last session, you all endured imprisonment within the formidable walls of Blackthorne. With cunning, luck, and some hostage taking, you were able to escape.
As you all made your way to the shore, the warden was shot by an unseen assailant, throwing your escape into chaos. Before you could react, you were intercepted by a group affiliated with Thalar, who drugged you into unconsciousness.
Upon awakening, you found yourselves in a hospital room within the Caruso family compound. There, you met Tony Valga, the right-hand man of the dying Don Caruso. You spoke to the Don, who revealed to you his quest for vengeance against those responsible for the slaughter of his people, enlisting your aid in his cause.
To ensure you would carry out this mission, explosives were implanted at the base of your skulls. After receiving gold and gear from Tony, you were led to your vehicle, which you quickly named the murder-mobile, and set out towards your first target: Damon Phoenix of Idiria, a playwright and actor. His play is in 2 and a half days, and you have 3 to kill him.

Travel:

You've been driving on the highway for a while at this point. Day has turned to night, clear skies have given way to rain, and the damned radio station has gone to commercial break, something about Tarrasque enzyne performance pills.

The radio blares back to life from commercial break. "Goooooood evening everyone! This is News at Night! I'm your host, Ron Teadle!" "And I'm Jin Sanderlin!" "Today we have confirmation from the Jewel of the Mountains, Starling City, that the President and CEO of Aizawa motors, Sabaru Aizawa, has confined himself to SteelHeart Castle. " "After an increase in rumors detailing the failing mental health of President Aizawa, and a sudden drop in his public appearances, this certainly does raise questions as to how valid these rumors may be." "This self isolation does come a week before the annual Starling Expo, where Aizawa is set to unveil his newest inventions to the public, and many businesses will showcase things they've been working on." "The question remains, is this just the result of many decades of stress and hard work wearing out the great inventor, or is he just finishing work on something that will change the world?" "Taking your calls, after these messages." Outro music fades in and signals a commercial break. "Do you love musicals, but feel like most of them have been reduced to nothing more than propaganda meant to manipulate you, your children, and the general uninformed public? Well, fret no longer! Another musical from the brilliant mind of Phoenix Damon will entertain, and inform, at the low, low price of... (Drumroll please...) 30 gold! A true tale of the inbred Sparrowick family and how they directly support the Tiefling scourge. Come see it on the 29th of Shanthra, at twenty-hundred hours!" The commercial ends and another begins. "Hey all you sports fans-" Eric, you feel a buzzing in your pocket, taking out your phone to see it light up with the name, TONY, in all caps with a little heart next to it. The phone vibrates violently in your hand. "Hey guys, how's it going?" "Can you look in the glove compartment for me? I should've left something in there for ya'll."

You open the glovebox, finding a gun with an orange cap, and a coupon for a free meal at a place called Vargrim's family diner.
"Oh cool, I left the gun there. That gun can pass for a prop gun, I thought it could be useful for this mission. Alright, ummm... imma go make spaghetti. Have fun you guys! (Start humming jovially, then cut off like hanging up.)"
You all feel your stomachs gurgle and rumble, realizing you haven't had a meal since the gruel. You pass by a highway sign that contains a listing of nearby food services. Most of these places are closed at this hour, but there are a few that tout their 24 hour status.
The food places that are 24 hours include: Vargrim's family diner, and Gorbongs pizza.

Diner/restaurant options:
Vargrim's Diner (Locally Owned):

You park and get out of the Murder-Mobile. You all stand outside a rectangular red and grey building. A neon sign illuminates the falling rain in a red hue, proudly displaying that this is Vargrim's family diner. You can see inside, where three figures stand behind a counter, and a single customer sits atop a barstool.
As you push open the glass and steel doors, you're greeted by the soft hum of jazz and the clinking of utensils. The fluorescent lights cast a soft glow onto the checkered tile floor and metal tables. Rain continues to patter against the windows, as the wind whips occasionally. A jukebox is situated in the corner. The three people behind the counter glance in your direction. "I'll be with ye in a minute." The obviously oldest one of them says to you, his long beard and red hair flecked with signs of greying.
He walks around the counter, revealing his legs.

L
After the party gets their food:

As you finish your meal, the door to the diner opens, a hooded figure in a dark blue cloak stands in the doorway, a flash of lightning cuts through the sky behind the figure. The stranger walks into the diner, scanning the room until he sees your group. He stops, staring for a couple seconds before he walks over to Vargrim. He tells him something, and Vargrim nods, walking into the back. The stranger begins to walk towards you all.
The stranger walks up to your table. You can see his face now. He has a grey beard with olive skin. His eyes are old and tired. Make a perception check. (15) Success: You see what looks to be the barrel of a gun hidden within the fabric of his cloak. The barrel is pointed straight at Elarich's head. Failure: Say nothing "Don't try anything Midrel."

Gorbong's Pizza (Chain):

"Yooooo, thanks for calling Gorbongs! What the name of the totally awesome guy I'm talkin to?" "Alriiiight (name), what's your order maaan?"

Travel to Arcadia: The party has gone to the Shilton Hotel. They have parked, gotten their room, and talked about what to do next. After realizing that Henry Silver was in the penthouse of the Shilton, they started talking about what they were going to do. After talking for a while about possibly killing Henry, they found that the room they were staying in was bugged. End of Session 2
Recap:

In our last session, the three of you traveled to Arcadia, the capital of Idira. On the way, you stopped by Vargrim's Family Diner, enjoying a meal before being attacked by a man with a grudge against Elarich. You barely managed to defeat him, and he forced the Astron battery in his mechanical arm to go supercritical to try and kill you all.
You traveled down the road to Sargrim's, where you had your car fixed while you slept. You then arrived in Arcadia, renting a room in the Shilton hotel. While checking in, it was discovered that Henry Silver, a figure from Elarich's past, had taken up residence in the penthouse.
After a lengthy discussion inside the hotel room, it was discovered that the room had been bugged, Thalar recieving a call that echoed what had just been said.

"You've been slipping, Thalar. The whole hotel has been bugged, but I managed to isolate this room. The only one who heard you was me. If you're this careless, this hunt may end sooner than I thought." The call drops.

Have Thalar be hunted while shopping. Have multiple opportunities for him to encounter moonblade. Moonblade will be hiding.

Redway Ward: Redway ward is full of fields and crops.
Light Reach: Full of fields and such
Westgate: Full of private businesses.

Old Docks:

Here you can find ships bringing in and sending out cargo. There are some ships that are bringing in shipments of Spidersalt, a hardcore drug made from an underdark variant of amanita mushrooms and spider venom. Stanfjord Shipping is the shipping company that is owned by the Ravoni Crime family.

Rainy District:

Full of pubs and bars. Should be easy to improv. There is a place called Laddy's Pub. Laddy's Pub: Laddy's is an unassuming brick building with a green sign above a green arch where the door is. Owners: Denny: Denny is a High elf, he is Beandra's brother, and is extremely egotistical. Beandra: Beandra is a High elf, she has blond hair and is extremely unfunny. Mac: Mac is an orc. He is athletic, but overexaggerates his strength. He often does karate in the bar. Sharlie: Sharlie is a very thin human, he has brown hair and short facial hair. He is really dumb. Fronk: Fronk is a very short troll. He has greasy stringy hair that splays atop his head. He has a long nose.
Their current bit: They are currently arguing who is more attractive, Mac or Denny. Mac is arguing that because of his karate moves, he is a more viable mate. Denny counters that Mac is an unattractive mate because he looks like a melted tub of ice cream.

Barber's Mire:

Kairon's Tattoo Parlour

Music Lodge:

A very bright and happy place, the Music lodge is home to the Phoenix Theater.

Blue Shade:

Full of shops. The party may be pickpocketed here.

You've reached what appears to be the shopping district, Blueshade. Named after the founder of Arcadia, this district is bustling with commerce.
Suddenly a chime sounds and a voice comes over the public announcement speakers. "Greetings citizens of Arcadia, this is King Phoenix speaking. I would like to let you know that in mere hours, the first showing of my newest musical experience, The Book of Sparrowick, will be debuting in the Phoenix Theater. A tale of the dreadful family who give refuge to the Tiefling scourge, this musical is sure to delight! Admission is 20 gold, unless you have family or friend performing and they've given you their backstage ticket. See you there! Wow, this script is hot ass, who wrote this? What do you mean I'm still on- Oh shi-" You hear a click and the broadcast ends.

Shops:
Bookstore: They can buy books and shit here. The shopekeeper is an older couple. Two old women, one halfling, Gable one dwarf, Mable.
Magic Shop: Charanko's Magic Emporium A large wooden building with black lettering on the outside. There are mulitiple floors. Charanko is a Tiefling, allowed to do business because he's so charismatic and good at his job.

Phoenix Castle: Phoenix Castle is an imposing stone structure surrounded by a massive wall. There are guards stationed at the entrance.


Phoenix Theater: The Phoenix theater is where the play will be taking place.
The play Keyven and his new crew have been selected. Keyven is dressed as a tiefling. They are taking part in the musical.

Welcome back everyone. Last time we were together you all jumped out of the hotel window to avoid a man who appeared at your hotel room. You jumped into a pool in a neighboring building, and the man followed. He injured himself, and Thalar helped him with his injury. Nacco introduced himself as a reluctant bodyguard of Henry Silver, a man connected to Elarich. Nacco let you copy his key at a gnome depot. You all went shopping, Thalar on the lookout for the man who was hunting him. You all finished up, and returned to the hotel, where law enforcement was waiting outside. You passed by them, heading into the elevator. Once in the elevator, the hunter, Moonblade emerged. You all bested him, and the hunt ended. Thalar was given a ceremonial dagger, and Moonblade disappeared. You all arrived at the penthouse. Elarich retrieved a pillow, unlocking the door and immediately unloading into Henry Silver. He then sat down, reveling in the kill. The blood puddle hadn't stopped spreading. The blood was everywhere. the formerly Golden rose upon the corpses lapel now was a shiny splotchy crimson.
Elarich, you’ve sat there, for what feels like an eternity, but the blood has yet to dry. As you sit contemplating the deed, you start to feel an affirmative heat in your chest. It makes you feel sick, yet sturdy. Whispers begin to fill your ears, indecipherable words echo in your mind. As they get louder and louder, one voice rises above the rest. “Elarich… Elarich… ELARICH.” As the last word is spoken, you feel a spark, and your body ripped to another place. You find yourself in a snowy wooded expanse, surrounded by impossibly tall trees. You look up, seeing the trunks disappearing into the sky. They’re almost shuffling, moving their roots across the snow. Directly behind you, you hear a crunch. You try to turn around, but find yourself paralyzed, stuck, TRAPPED. The footsteps continue, getting closer and closer. You feel a cold breath on the back of your neck. An unknowable entity stands behind you, yet all around you. The snow around you starts laughing, sneering, screaming, sobbing. You can feel all of these emotions in your chest, as if they were your own heartbeat. A voice speaks out of the uncertainty, changing and morphing, yet unwavering, “Welcome, my child. I’ve been waiting for you. You’ve taken your first step into the real world. You’ve started to take what belongs to you…. I will be watching you.”


Suddenly your body is ripped back to the same spot you left. You feel like you can briefly see yourself disappear as you reappear.

You are back in the penthouse. The blood puddle has spread to your boots.

Either have it be on the radio or just overheard. Talk about the Sparrowicks invading Ankril, an important iron production city in Glasden. The United Ereanor Council is deliberating whether they should send their forces to help the Glasdonites
Have this be right before the theatre.

The play starts

Suddenly, the lights dim, and the audience chatter starts to die down. A skeleton in a tuxedo makes his way across the stage, the audience applauding him.
"Hello, and welcome, to the Phoenix Theatre production of: The Book of Sparrowick. My name is Anthony Ossum, otherwise known by the stage name, Immortal Skeleton, I'll be conducting this musical today. Please remember to silence any and all communicators, and please be respectful of the performers and their space. Thank you!" Skeletony makes his way down to the pit, glancing at all of the members. He then raises his hands. With a ferocious flick, a wall of sound echoes throughout the theatre as the curtains part. Upon the stage is a sprawling set reminiscent of a jungle.

Tamara might show up part way through the play. Have a way for
The city gets bombed?
Chapter 4: The play ends abruptly (Damon Dead) Description: Damon has been killed, chaos sweeps through the theater. People will try and kill you.
Chapter 5: The play ends abruptly (Damon lives)
At the very end, if the players can't find and kill Damon, they might die.
They have to follow

Related Locations

• Idira