Session 7 - Sex Olympics

General Summary

Post-Battle Drinking and Shopping

The party continues drinking at Wavebreaker -- and in the chaos of both their merriment and the ocean battle outside, Piers and Talitha slip away, summoned by Gertie for another assignment. In the relaxed atmosphere, Krud calms down enough to shapeshift back into his mighty weretortle form. He floats around for some time, impressed and only a little overwhelmed by his newfound power to levitate. It sadly wears off after a few more minutes.
Sobering up a little, the group decides to go shopping in preparation for their departure to Roslen.

The first stop: An oddities store in the Port District so that Krud can buy a present for Bonk! It is a kitschy knickknack shop owned by a hobgoblin -- seems like sailors offload their non-valuable loot here. Lots of irregular dining implements, skulls, cheaper jewelry, unique-but-inexpensive knives, figurines, etc. Some inexpensive Zora items, as well. Krud buys a skull goblet for Bonk! Abbit also purchases a little Zora dagger, seemingly attracted to its design.

Second stop: By sheer curiosity, the gang stops at The Seaman's Hole, a normally crowded seafood restaurant on the docks. With no line, they all get fish and chips combinations. It's delicious! The group also buys novelty items -- postcards, a fanny pack, etc. -- that say "I left my seaman in Hatena!" with a smiling cartoon captain on them. Krud gets a whole bucket of fish and chips.

They decide they're good on drugs, so third stop: Vagrant Outfitters in the plaza. Everyone gets tents and rations and gear, as necessary.

Fourth stop: Steel-a-Deal. Reclaimer buys the splint mail and weapons looted from the encounter at the Risanna estate. Meera buys an addition 50 special crossbow bolts at a discount, stating that they managed to subdue the Alleviator.

Fifth stop: The town bathhouse, also in the Plaza district. Most of them go into the communal bath. Hart and Meera trade scar stories, although all of her stories end with "I don't remember how I got this scar." Biscus springs for a private bath and is treated to fancy soaps and hair oils. He scents himself in lavender oil and his fur and tail are now all poofy and lustrous and luxurious. He is a very fancy satyr now.

Sending Stone Activates

Mystery DM dice roll of unknown purpose.
As the group is starting to leave the bathhouse, Biscus hears a woman's voice in his head. Regal, commanding, a little otherworldly. She presumes that Hector (the Alleviator) is dead, and that the group must be his killers. "But tragedy sometimes yields a blessing. I am willing to forgive. Bring Piers to Glenien or Resden. I will be watching. And waiting."
Biscus realizes it is the Sending Stone acquired from the Alleviator's body. He responds, asking: "Who are you? Where are you? What's in it for me?"
The voice responds: "I am the Sword of Diel and a protector of the realm. You will be issued a full pardon for your crimes." She opts not to reveal her location.
The group consults, and while Hart recognized the term "Sword of Diel," he isn't sure if it refers to an individual, a rank, or a literal sword within the ranks of the Olimandias Hegemony. They all decide to return to the enclave and speak with Gertie.

Enclave

The group decides to buy a carriage at the stables and leave the cart and mules to Gertie. The party returns to the enclave. Hart, Abbit, and the main group all meet up with Vidar's team in the mess hall. Hart tries to give an inspiring speech about how Vidar can improve from his failures, but it feels more like rubbing salt in an open wound. There's a wee bit of gloating. Vidar is irritated. Ellaria is mostly just tired and happy to be off the Alleviator assignment.
Krud and Bonk happily reunite. Krud gifts him the skull goblet purchased earlier. Bonk is so excited!! He's never really gotten a present before! He immediately dumps his ale into the skull goblet and drinks it all in one swing.
Biscus visits Gertie in her office. Gertie has now reverted to her true elderly self. She seems to have trouble remembering what she was doing in there, and Biscus reminds her that she wanted to paperwork and helps her get sorted. He sees letters from other domain leaders -- Rhiannon, Vice Admiral Steel, someone called the Shadowed Storm, etc.
Biscus asks about the Sending Stone message. Gertie rolls high on her History check. The Sword of Diel is a powerful warrior of Olimandias. Her name is Sarael. Gertie says the name sounds celestial in origin. The Sword of Diel was normally someone who fought demons and other high level extraplanar dangers. Biscus also asks if Piers has any old business in the western nations, but as far as Gertie knows, he's never been too far west of Hatena.
Meera sees Kassan in the barracks area. He is packing a bag. She opens by saying that it's possible they won't see each other again for a while. He presumes that Gertie has told Meera that he is the one leaving. Confusion. Kassan apparently received an emergency summons from the Labyrinth a month ago -- all non-active personnel are being recalled home in emergency conscription. Things are not going well. He didn't respond to it at first because he was busy helping Gertie. But now that the Alleviator is gone, and having been inspired by the party's efforts, he has decided to return home and help out. He seems anxious about it, but is willing to push through it.
The party invites "the B-team" out drinking at Wavebreaker.

Wavebreaker: Concerts, Conversions, and Coitus Competitions

The group decides to do another musical performance at Wavebreaker! Meera is hesitant to join in at first, but Kassan and the group encourage her to participate. After drinking a bit, they all have a terrible warm up session, but they eventually find the rhythm and put on a great show for all the patrons! Vidar is surprised and a little horrified. Ellaria's into it. Krud and Bonk are aggressively dancing in the center of the tavern floor, their footsteps causing little quakes, all while Krud toots in harmony with the band on his kazoo.
Meera sneaks upstairs with Kassan while everyone is distracted, intending to have a nice send off.
The Equinox crew is still in town. The group thinks it would be fun to send Helena upstairs to see what happens when both of Meera's recently lays meet each other, although Hart seems sincere in his desire to make sure Helena and Meera have a nice goodbye. Biscus wants no part of this and backs off, fearing more bad blood with Meera. Biscus is instead approached by an old love -- Valerie -- who comes onto him after the performance. He swiftly buys her a drink and takes her upstairs!
Helena is convinced by the group and heads upstairs to meet Meera around the same time. Biscus tells Valerie to wait. They both watch the scene unfold.
Helena walks in to find Kassan and Meera in the middle of sex. She loses her temper and throws an entire bottle of wine at the pair, shouting out insults. Meera is able to slightly calm her down with solid enough persuasion. Biscus and Valerie slip by during the argument and proceed into their own room.... next door. Helena storms off. Hart also flees the bar.
Meera and Biscus can both hear each other with their respective partners, as the walls are rather thin, so both of them try to compete with each other to see who is better at sex (Biscus rolls higher). Furious clip clop noises and screaming from both rooms.
During all of that, Abbit is downstairs converting some young deckhands to the religion of Hoo'Ax'Dyuu! He summons his spiritual weapon and slices a chair in half. One young man is not convinced, but the other two are! They accept little ax pins and join Abbit in a prayer. Everyone but Meera and Biscus return to the enclave to sleep.
Before going to sleep at the enclave, Hart attempts to teach Krud and Bonk how to do a kip up. Krud eventually gets it. Though Bonk seems a little hopeless. But he insists on practicing anyway!

Morning After and Departure

Meera is standing, waiting, outside of Biscus's door in the morning. She angrily confronts him, presuming it was his idea to send Helena up to ruin everything. Biscus is able to convince her that it wasn't him, and he attempts to cover for the group, but she sees through the lie. Meera is still furious but manages to control her anger. They have some quick breakfast with Kassan (who is otherwise unbothered) and return to the enclave.
Kassan changes into his Labyrinth armor and heads up to the docks to catch a ship south -- and stops briefly to say goodbye to Meera.
Gertie comes out with a big box of cookies for the group and says goodbye to everyone, thanking them for all their help. Krud gives her a big hug. Krud and Bonk have a touching farewell, telling each other to have a safe trip. Gertie attempts to keep a stiff upper lip. She formally gives everyone the documents (forged IDs) that need to be taken to the Glenien archive, along with a letter certifying them as members of the Alliance. Abbit takes the letter.
The Glenien Enclave is in a bar called The Crossguard. The leader of that enclave is a Sheikah man named Kai.
After a final round of farewells, the group leaves Hatena. Heading west through the farmlands that surround the city.

Travels

In their new carriage, the group has a safe and uneventful first day of travel. The nightly watch passes without issue, although Meera and Krud spot that mysterious silhouette again. The one that watched the group on their first trip to the succubus ruins. This entire first day is spend heading through the farmlands outside of Hatena. The second day sees them move a little further into more untamed land -- grasslands and rolling hills.
The second day has a brief stop in a town called Glenhollow. A lady is selling refreshments and "newspapers," which are little gossip sheets she has written out by hand. It's very much a roadside "truck stop" aesthetic. The group gives her a concert that is ridiculously perfect... for an audience of a single person. So the snacks and tea are free.
Her newspaper has local gossip, but also news that Uradiel has declared a crusade on the Desert of Mystery and the Gerudo tribes.
The second night's watch passes without incident.
The third day, they encounter a terrified man running east. He doesn't stop until Meera catches him and restrains him. He mentions something about "they're coming for me next," and orders her to let go. She does, and he continues running while barely acknowledging their existence. The group passes a cargo caravan a few hours later. The man leading the wagon train says they may wish to turn around. Looks like some moblins or bandits have raided some towns and homesteads nearby, though he's seen no one out there.

The Third Night's Encounter

The third night is largely uneventful.... until about 1am. Abbit and Krud are on watch. The temperature drops sharply. The fire is blown out by a sudden breeze. Meera is awake in her tent and sees a ghostly woman floating above her, seemingly surprised that she is there. The ghost moves on. Abbit and Krud briefly see it move into Biscus's tent, seemingly on a mission.
Abbit flings the tent door open and casts Sacred Flame. The ghost takes some minor damage and lets out a terrifying, ear-shattering wail. Meera seems immune. Abbit and Biscus are able to withstand the shriek, but Krud and Hart both instantly drop to 0 hit points. Krud keels over. Hart is unresponsive. The ghostly figure rapidly flees to the west.
Meera spots a small town in that direction using Abbit's new spyglass. Abbit and Biscus both use magic to heal the party and bring Hart and Krud back to consciousness.
Healed up, the group pursues the ghostly figure to the small town..... which is eerily silent, but smells of death and ruin. The ghost is there, hovering above a rooftop.


[end of session]

Report Date

11 Jan 2021