OttD Session 41: Game of Boats, Part 3 - A Kraken Good Time

General Summary

Adoven Verdonnet, finally present once more, awakens from below decks to discover his significant blood loss. Before he can get much explanation, however, the kraken from the previous session arrives to assault the boat. As combat begins, Pestle spends a round talking to Dave. He uses portent to guarantee an excellent roll and ask:

Exactly what do I need to do to permanently leave Vigrid and the Training Games alive so that I can return to Rainy Grove?

The response from Dave is that it is impossible to obtain precisely what he is asking for. Mazu also arrives, heavily injured and with large round holes in her armor. She hands Zerrof a trident crafted specifically for this purpose, known as the Titan Slayer Trident. Combat is long, but the party manages to get through without anyone dropping to zero hit points. There are a couple of close calls, but between Mazu and Pestle there is more than enough healing to go around. Partway through it is revealed that the kraken has a Ragnarok Brand on one of its tentacles, with a shining "1". Mazu is the one to deliver the killing blow. The kraken turns out to have been the last remaining opponent, and so the party is whisked back to Vigrid, each of them having earned one wish. The group makes small talk for little while. Tornac uses his wish almost immediately:

I wish for all of Aria's possessions.

This wish is granted, and all of Aria's possessions are deposited into Tornac's bag of holding, including the time-traveling music box. While the party discusses this, the gate in the center of Vigrid opens up and Iapetus is seen walking in. The group follows, and find themselves in The Arena. As others begin filing into The Arena, there is more small talk and Aria arrives, wrapped in a towel, and immediately starts questioning Tornac. Aria insists that the whole world rests upon that music box, but Tornac insists that Penguin can put it to better use. Pestle interrupts this conversation to ask Aria how he can escape. Aria insists it is possible, but says she is incapable of explaining how because she is sworn to secrecy. Pestle uses his psionic powers to forcibly retrieve answers from her mind. Aria tries once more to plead with Tornac. This time she does not ask for her box back; instead she asks him to promise that he can help the people of Sigil. She says that after all of this is over the doors close, and the residents begin to starve. Tornac says he is sure Penguin would do something about it, but does not give details. Adoven Verdonnet asks Aria if this might actually be a good thing. After all, it is clear that something different has to happen from what she has already been trying. Aria concedes this, but she is still scared because she has no safety net without that box. If she doesn't have it then this is her last chance to save her people. This debate continues for a while, but eventually Tornac does at least give her back her clothes. After a little more discussion, including some further telepathic probing from Pestle, Zerrof's conscience gets the better of him, and he spends his wish:

I wish that every item that Tornac has ever stolen is returned to their last owner.

This immediately returns Aria's belongings, and Tornac also loses a shortsword he stole from an NPC very early in the game. Pestle thanks Aria for her unwilling help. She makes a half-hearted attempt to persuade Pestle to stay, but it is unsuccessful. Before this conflict can get too heated, the action begins. Penguin is teleported into the arena, and Iapetus follows shortly behind. Penguin's clothing is damaged, but he is still his normal pretentious self. Iapetus has a spear in each hand and is much taller than normal. Iapetus asks who among those gathered wanted to see Penguin remain immortal. The entire party raises their hands except for Adoven Verdonnet. Among the others in The Arena is heavily mixed, but Penguin interjects on the voting process, explaining that he is not actually a god. He thought he was, but once he and his lawyers started examining the Preservation Proclamation he realized that he did not actually qualify for it unless there was a vote. Because of this he did not have a right to Dénouement, and had Tornac hand it over to Iapetus. Iapetus himself is skeptical, and so a vote is held. There is much deliberation, but the party telepathically confirms with Penguin that he is after a "no" vote. As the gods deliberate Vun Roade and Pestle notice that Bhaal is missing from the stands. Mazu says that Penguin killed him earlier that same day, immediately after he set a kraken loose. Eventually Mazu is the first to vote, and says Penguin is not a god. Her brother Deep Sashelas immediately follows suit. Remaining votes can be seen at "Is Penguin A God?", but the final tally is 11 No and 10 Yes. After this is settled, White flies into the arena and explains that, if Penguin is not a god, then that means he knows too much and he must become a participant. Penguin gladly consents to this, and is signed onto the same team as the party. He teleports himself up into the stands alongside the others. Immediately after, Iapetus draws another card from his deck. Tiamat is summoned into The Arena. Anybody who desires a specific outcome must enter The Arena and engage in combat to earn what they seek. The party spends some time discussing positions. Tiamat has caused considerable trouble for Penguin, so he wants her to die. Since Pestle and Vun Roade are under contract, Penguin therefore demands they assist him. Zerrof seems to be leaning the same way, as Tiamat was the one who slayed Tyr. Vun Roade gives a small speech about his old life and then pledges himself into Mazu's service, pledging to vote as she does. Mazu admits she does not want Tiamat around, but does not commit to a decision just yet. Pestle interrupts this deliberation by telepathically proposing a deal to Penguin. If Penguin will cancel their contract and get Pestle back to Rainy Grove, then he will spend his wish to get Penguin the music box. This arrangement is not explained to the party, but it is executed directly in their presence. Penguin destroys both copies of the contract. Pestle makes his wish:

I wish that every music box in Aria's possession, be it magical or not, be in the possession of Penguin

The music boxes are indeed transferred to Penguin, who then plane shifts Pestle about a thousand feet in the air above Rainy Grove. Pestle, not ready to die quite yet, transforms into an eagle so he can land safely near his hut. He sees Izar nearby, looking very different. He now has an eyepatch over his left eye. His paper admiral's hat has been replaced with an actual admiral's hat. He also has a purple sash around his midsection with some medals pinned to it. Pestle gets straight to business, and asks Izar to rush into town and fetch him some herbs. After Izar leaves, Pestle goes into his hut and drinks his own Mind-Flayer poison. He falls into a deep sleep. By the time Izar returns with the herbs, Pestle is already dead.