Check In Question: What is your favorite comfort food?
- Miranda: I’m going to say one of the foods I’ve been dying to have but haven’t gotten to have in years: roast beef poboy with gravy. Lysithea’s go-to comfort food is Lava Cream – like ice cream but lava.
- Kevin: Right now it’s tacos. I’ve tacos for almost every meal since last week. Gobbles’s is probably the Hydra-Meat burgers.
- Ian: Taco Bell specifically. It’s awful but it’s so good, it’s so goopy. The Professor I’d say a nice hearty stew with lots of bread.
- Liz: Pizza. My comfort food is pizza. Octavia’s is venison.
- Cordelia: Curry. Surina’s favorite comfort food is Dalvok fish stew.
- Justice: Orange sherbet. I like ice cream and that is the best type of “ice cream”. Archibald Bickerford Pembleton Esquire’s favorite comfort food is a deconstructed risotto made from grains from the farms of Pumbaat and sustainable fish from the Shumpech Swamp specifically harvested for this risotto.
When we last left the party they had successfully won their first bracket of the Ryphyet Battle of the Bands. At the request of Archmage Frederich Rogers, they have infiltrated the Battle of the Bands and are trying to figure out the mystery of sabotage. Each band in the battle is given a tent, surrounded by a protective magical field to prevent foul play.
An announcement is heard throughout the air.
THE FESTIVAL WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW.
Lysithea: Oh good! We can lie down!
Gobbles: Until we’re interrupted.
THE COMPETITION WILL ONLY GET MORE INTENSE FROM HERE. DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE COMPETITORS AND WILL BE DELIVERED TO THEIR TENTS.
Professor: Oh, room service!
Lysithea: Very fancy.
Gobbles: Poisoned dinner will be delivered to 5 people.
The party decides to head back to their tent to rest and recuperate from their previous battles. Upon arrival they find a table of food set up inside. It looks like leftover festival food – tons of fried food that the vendors couldn’t sell by the end of the day. Lysithea (survival Nat 20) can instantly tell that the food is cold, greasy, and has been sitting out for a while.
Lysithea: Unless you’re really hungry I don’t think we should eat this food. Maybe we should just eat out of the Chest of Infinite Cheese instead.
The party chooses to go to bed right away, except for Octavia who slept the day away. She chooses to stand watch with her faithful panther, Onza. She’s lounging around outside with Onza when she suddenly feels the earth rumble under her feet (perception 15). She’s not really sure what’s causing the rumble pass below her (nature 8). Gobbles (perception 22) wakes up as he feels the rumble beneath him, but the rest of the party (Professor 11, Lysithea 7, Surina 9) remains deep in slumber.
Gobbles: I had no idea we had those rumbly beds you find in hotels. That’s what this is, right?
Octavia hears a scream just a few minutes later coming from another tent. She tries to wake up the party by making a commotion before running out with Onza to find the source of the scream. Gobbles sounds the Kazoo of Gondor to help wake up the party, then attempts to follow Octavia. (Initiative Octavia adjusted 20, Gobbles Nat 1). Gobbles gets too into his kazoo playing and forgets to run out for a moment. Outside Octavia sees the three Halflings of Halfling Metal running out from their tent, next to the party’s tent. The Halfling tent suddenly collapses and a giant, metal looking creature emerges from underground. Octavia gasps at the sight of the bulette (Nature 13), a ferocious creature that burrows underground and can leap long distances. She doesn’t ever recall seeing them in the desert area, though. (Initiative Lysithea 9, Professor 3, Surina 5).
Begin Bulette Battle
Octavia remains within the protective area of the tent and tries to shoot at the Bulette. Her arrow sails through the protective area of the party’s tent, but it deflects off of the Halfling’s protective area. The bulette leaps towards one of the Halflings, knocking one of the Halfling’s prone, causing it to disappear from Octavia’s line of sight. Gobbles snaps out of his epic kazoo solo and runs out of the tent. Upon seeing the bulette he tries to Confetti Eldritch Blast it, but his blasts deflect off of Halfling Metal’s tent as well. Knowing now that her arrows won’t penetrate the barrier Octavia runs out of the protective area of her tent, with Onza at her side, to try to get a better shot. She doesn’t have the greatest view at the moment, but tries to shoot anyway (attack Nat 20). Her arrow is shot with such extraordinary force that it penetrates through Halfling Metal’s protective barrier and hits the bulette for 18 damage. She notices that even though her arrow cut through the barrier it did slow down a bit before impact. Octavia tries shooting again, but her arrow bounces off the magical barrier. The two Halflings that are not prone run towards the party’s tent.
Halfling: Help us! Let us in! Let us in!
Octavia let’s them pass into the party’s protected area.
Gobbles: Hi, I’m Gobbles the Goblin. Nice to meet you.
Lysithea, finally awake, runs out of the tent to see what’s going on. She sees the Halflings running in and a bulette getting ready to chow down on another Halfling. She has not received a full rest and is still damaged from the previous battle (see Session 22), so at the sight of the chaos she casts Mage Armor. Surina is awake and runs out of the tent. She cannot make it into attack range, but she casts Hunter’s Mark on the bulette as soon as she sees it. Professor is also up. He moves out of the tent around the Halflings…
Professor: Out of my way short stuff! What’s going on? What’s going on? Ahem! I just woke up!
Halfling: This giant thing is trying to eat us!
Professor: Who are you?
Halfling: We’re Halfling Metal!
Professor: Right. *confused look to the party*
Halfling: It’s eating one of our band members! Help them!
Professor: Right!
He reaches into a bag, pulls out a ball, pushes a button, and out comes Spider-Bro, his Eldritch cannon. He uses his bonus action to casts Arcane Weapon, lightning, on his crossbow arm. Gobbles moves towards the bulette but cannot get around the barrier yet, so he attempts Tasha’s Hideous Laughter on the bulette. Unfortunately for Gobbles the bulette does not have any intelligence so the attack is rendered useless. Octavia moves in further and lines up with the open gate of the magic barrier so that her attacks can make it through. She shoots 2 arrows (attack rolls 14 and 12) but her arrows do not penetrate the hide of the bulette and simply bounce off. Onza moves in closer trying to get to attack range. Octavia then sees the bulette swallow the prone Halfling whole.
Octavia: That thing just swallowed the Halfling whole!
Lysithea: It’s just a little swallowed, it’s still good, it’s still good!
Professor: Your tiny friend is dead!
The other Halflings begin to cry.
Lysithea: Way to be soothing, Professor!
Lysithea moves diagonally so that she can have a clear shot of the bulette. She shoots Firebolt at it (attack 23) and does 12 fire damage to the bulette. Another bulette emerges in the protected area of the party and starts attacking another Halfling.
Surina: OH NO!
Half of the Halfling is now sticking out of the bulette’s mouth, as if it is trying to swallow her whole. Surina turns around and attacks the newly appeared bulette. She casts Thunderous Smite (attack 25) and her hit causes a clap of thunder heard within 300 ft.
Lysithea: I’m so glad we’re not in a cave this time (see Session 5)
Her attack does 10 slashing and 9 thunder damage. She attacks again, swinging her longsword at the bulette (attack 17) and does an additional 6 damage to it. Professor moves and casts Shatter on the bulette. The bulette fails its constitution saving throw and takes 6 thunder damage. Professor then fires his crossbow at it (attack Nat 1), but the arrow just plinks straight to the ground. Spider-Bro shoots at the bulette (attack 24) and does 12 force damage. The impact from the shot pushes the bulette back 5ft, causing it to spit out the Halfling and break the protective barrier surrounding the party’s tent.
Lysithea: Uh oh, I think we needed that.
Gobbles still wants to save the already eaten Halfling and runs towards the barrier. He front somersault twist vaults over the barrier (acrobatics 19) and fires 2 Confetti Eldritch Blasts at the bulette (attack 11, 22). Only one of his attacks hits for 6 force damage. Octavia holds her ground and shoots at the bulette (attack 23), with her arrow piercing for 10 damage. She fires a second shot (attack 19) for 11 more damage. Onza makes it into attack range and tries to bite the bulette but cannot pierce its hide. The freshly spitten-out Halfling limps away, and the other Halfling runs away back out of the party’s area. The second bulette leaps, giving Gobbles and Onza an attack of opportunity. Gobbles swings his warhammer (attack 19) for 4 damage. Onza bites at the bulette as it leaps (attack 23) for 3 damage. The bulette lands on Octavia, who gets knocked prone after failing her dexterity saving throw. She takes 18 bludgeoning and 13 slashing damage from the bulette’s landing. Lysithea no longer has sight of Octavia.
Lysithea: Are you still alive?
Octavia: Barely!
Lysithea is right next to the bulette that just landed on Octavia and backs up slightly. She fires Firebolt again (attack 22) and does 17 fire damage to the bulette. The second bulette leaps. Mid-leap it puts its head down and slurps up one of the Halflings. It lands on top of Professor, Spider-Bro, and the other Halfling. The Halfling succeeds on his saving throw, but Professor and Spider-Bro fail (Professor 5, Spider Bro Nat 1). Professor takes 17 bludgeoning and 8 slashing damage. The Halfling takes half damage and is knocked prone. Spider-Bro explodes on impact, being crushed underneath the bulette.
Professor: Spider-Bro is down! Repeat – Spider-Bro is down!
Lysithea: Oh no, Spider-Bro!
Surina smashes the bulette again (attack adjusted 20) and casts Divine Smite as a second level on impact. She does a total of 23 damage.
Surina: Hi-yah!
She attacks again (attack 15) but misses. Surina gets a confused look upon her face.
Surina: I missed?!
Professor stands up from his prone position, giving the bulette an attack of opportunity. Luckily the bulette misses. Professor casts Thunderwave. The bulette fails its saving throw and takes 8 thunder damage and gets pushed 10ft away. He then fires his crossbow at the bulette (attack Nat 1), but his crossbow jams and the bolt doesn’t go.
Professor: This is embarrassing. I swear this never happens!
Gobbles: Hey, where are you going?
Gobbles pops 2 Confetti Eldritch blasts on the bulette that landed on Octavia. One of his beams (Nat 1) shoots at a very wide angle, weakening the blast and just spewing a lot of confetti. His second attack (attack 18) makes contact for 3 damage. The party notices coming out of another tent in the lead singer of Arrowsmith, dressed in an evening nightgown.
Arrowsmith: What’s going on out here?
He looks around at the chaos, closes the gate, and walks back into his tent.
Octavia stands from her prone position, giving the bulette an attack of opportunity, but it misses. She shoots at the bulette (Nat 1), but she can’t see straight from the impact and fires straight into the ground. She shakes her head to clear it and fires again (attack 25), hitting for 8 damage. Onza moves in to attack but still cannot pierce the hide of the bulette. The Halfling, on seeing Arrowsmith close his gate, runs as far away from the tents as possible.
Professor: Run you fool!
The second bulette steps towards Lysithea and bites her, doing a total of 30 damage. Lysithea is down to 2 health.
Lysithea: OOWWWWYYYY! Ow!
She reacts with Hellish Rebuke, dealing 12 fire damage and defeating the bulette.
Lysithea: I’m hurt here! Help!
She turns around and shoots Firebolt at the remaining bulette (attack 23), dealing 16 damage to the bulette. The bulette leaps to jump on the running Halfling, giving Surina an attack of opportunity (attack Nat 20). She raises her sword in the air, slicing open the gut of the bulette and it flies over her head. Sparks fly from the bulette as it gets pierced, and the Halfling that was inside it falls to the ground unconcious. Professor’s eye grow anime-wide as he beholds the site. The attack does 12 damage to the bulette, defeating it.
Surina: Bye bye forever! GOODBYE FOREVER!
Professor: Yes, bye bye forever.
Lysithea begins slow clapping.
Lysithea: I also need help. *still clapping*
End Bulette Battle
The party moves in to inspect the bulettes and discover that they aren’t actually bulettes – they are mechanical.
Surina: That’s why there were sparks.
The party opens up the second bulette and pulls out the Halfling it had swallowed. These mechanical bulettes had been imbued with magic. Professor plans to remake Spider-Bro from the bits. On the inside the party is able to find a logo of the manufacturers – a skull made of mosaic tiles. The party does not recognize the logo (history Gobbles 15, Professor 14, Lysithea 14, Surina 3, Octavia 4), but they know it is not from the area or any of the party’s homelands. Lysithea sketches it in one of her notebooks. Gobbles casts Cure Wounds on Lysithea, healing her for 6 HP. He and Professor also heal the Halflings, stabilizing them.
Halfling: Thank you so much! Could we maybe share your tent, too? Ours has been destroyed.
Professor: Yes, of course. Please.
Lysithea: Of course. Can I lie down now?
Octavia: Me too. I have internal bleeding.
They bring the closest bulette inside their tent. As soon as everyone makes it inside the area the magical barrier instantly reforms, as if someone had cast a spell. The party has successfully saved Halfling Metal, who is now resting in their tent. Everyone goes to sleep and gets a much needed night’s rest (recovering all HP and spell slots).
There’s an announcement first thing in the morning.
THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS WILL CONTINUE TODAY.
Professor: By Grabthar’s Hammer! Where is that coming from?
The feeling in the air is a bit more exciting even though everyone around still seems down and miserable. The announcer sounds almost cheerful, as if it is someone different.
MY NAME IS ROCKFORD AND I’M THE GUEST MC TODAY!
Rockford is known as the MC for the Muddome in Barlsod.
I’M HERE TO ANNOUNCE THE GUEST COMPETITION! EVERY BAND WILL BE ASSIGNED A TRAVELING MUSIC TO WORK WITH!
Professor: Oh no.
Lysithea: Oh great…
ALL BANDS MUST FACTOR THIS INTO THEIR ACT! SURPRISE!
Lysithea: I have to cooperate with more people?
EVERY BAND SEND ONE REPRESENTATIVE UP TO GET YOUR ASSIGNED GUEST.
Lysithea: Surina, go pick our person since you’re so friendly.
Gobbles: And the band has your name in its name.
Surina goes up to the front to get their guest. There’s a big hat with all of the guests’ names written on strips of paper. Surina is the last one to arrive and pulls the final name out of the hat – Herman the Traveling Banjo Player.
Surina: Herman? Herman? You mean Herman the Hermit?
YOUR GUESTS WILL BE ARRIVING IN 30 MINUTES TO YOUR ASSIGNED LOCATION. WORK WITH THEM TO COME UP WITH A SONG. THE COMPETITION WILL START IMMEDIATELY.
Herman: Well golly!
Professor: You’ve got to hide me.
The party recognizes Herman as he appears (see Session 20).
Gobbles: It’s the Cheese Master!
He’s riding in on a cow.
Herman: Ain’t it my friends from before!
Professor: Friend is a strong word.
Gobbles: Cheese Master Herman!
Herman: I decided to take a break from milking my cows to come play a song.
Professor: That’s horrifying.
Gobbles: Are you a banjo-ologist?
Herman: I dabble in the banjo arts.
Lysithea: We are Surina and the Crystal Gems and… yeah…
Gobbles: Yes! We have now completed it! We can now assume the form of Banjo-Kazooie! By our powers combined!
Lysithea: Well, since we now have a banjo, how about we play Prismatic Connection?
Gobbles: That works.
Arrowsmith goes on first. They are partnered with Fire Bolton. Their performance gets a score average of 36. Archibald gave them a 9 as he loves Fire Bolton. Archmage Frederich gave them a 10…
Professor: Whose side is he on anyways?
Lysithea: Everybody’s.
The lowest score game from Golag, who gave them a 2 because they are going up against the St. Warrrggh!-Ustine Choir.
Gobbles: He is not biased at all other than the massive bias.
The St. Warrrggh!-Ustine! Choir’s guest is Angus McGonagle, a stone golem who gargles Gershwin. The Gregorcian Chant mixed with the gargling actually mixed well. After their performance there’s a debate amongst the judges. The party can hear fighting, and then sees Golag stand up and shatter the table as he screams in Orcish.
Golag: OBJECAVION! (Translation: objection)
Octavia is munching on popcorn as she enjoys the drama show.
Lysithea: Where did you get that?
Octavia: Oh, someone was holding their popcorn out and I took it.
The hotly contested debate finally ends and the St. Warrrggh!-Ustine Choir gets a 37, defeating Arrowsmith.
Next up is Mithrilback, who is partnered with Kenku Perry. Together they score a 30. They go up against Josie and the Tabaxi, who are standing around waiting for their guest that hasn’t shown up yet. The party remembers that last time their instruments were sabotaged, but Professor saved their day by lending them his bass. Josie starts crying as they sit there waiting for their guest. Eventually their guest, Ozzy Dragonborn, stumbles in. He seems a bit spaced out.
Ozzy: Where am I?
Josie and the Tabaxi with Ozzy Dragonborn are able to go on and perform, but no one can understand Ozzy’s singing. Josie and the Tabaxi try their best to play with him, but it creates quite the cacophony. They walk off the stage and are surprised to earn a score of 31, beating Mithrilback.
Next is Halfling Metal, who has mostly recovered from their ordeal last night. Their guest is Elvish Presley, who doesn’t look too good. When Elvish is announced there’s some screams from Elven fangirls who came to see him perform. They’re holding up posters of a young, suave looking Elvish, but the one that comes on stage is sluggish and massive, dressed in the most gaudy attire, with rhinestones covering his entire outfit.
Gobbles: Is that actually him or an Elvish impersonator?
(Perception Gobbles 14, Lysithea 17, Octavia 21, Surina Nat 20, Professor Nat 1). Octavia knows Elvish Presley as a heartthrob star and this looks nothing like how Elvish Presley should look. She knows that this is not an Elvish impersonator, but she can’t put her finger on what’s wrong with him. Surina, a huge Elvish fan, can tell that he seems slower and is not exactly himself, as if a spell has been cast on him.
Octavia: There’s something not right about Elvish over there.
Surina: That doesn’t seem right.
Octavia: I agree. It’s strange… it’s weird. I can’t put my finger on it.
Surina decides to go tell the judges about her suspicions. She runs up to Archmage Frederich and tells him about the spell. There’s a discussion amongst the judges, and then the Archmage casts Greater Restoration on Elvish Presley, who suddenly shrinks back to his young, suave, hip looking self.
Elvish: Annon allen. Annon allen tes. (Translation: Why thank you. Thank you very much.)
Octavia: His accent is atrocious.
Halfling Metal and Elvish Presley finally perform and do very well, earning a score of 37. They go up against Danny Man-Elf, who goes on stage with his huge orchestra. His guest artist is Ettin John, dressed in brightly colored clothes. Each head is wearing brightly colored, oversized glasses. Together they sing Giant Crocodile Rock with the full orchestra background.
Professor: When did they get the time to rehearse this?
Danny Man-Elf and Ettin John earn a perfect score with their performance.
Gobbles: They’re cheating.
Lysithea: They’re cheating by being good.
They go up against The Robed Zombies with guest star Justin Behir. He is not an actual behir – that’s just his stage name. Together they earn a score of 38.
Lysithea: We need to beat a 38? Great. We’ve got a banjo, a lute, a kazoo, a cowbell, a bass, and a singer.
Gobbles: That’s completely normal.
Lysithea: What are we?
Octavia: I don’t understand the problem.
Surina: We are Surina and the Crystal Gems.
Herman: Hoo doggy! This is going to be a great banjo hootenanny!
Professor: It’s a hoedown.
Herman: Hootenanny.
Professor: Hoedown.
Herman: Hootenanny.
Professor: Who’s the real hermit here?
Gobbles: So how is the island?
Herman: Well since you all got rid of that shadow cow my cattle aren’t being stolen anymore.
Lysithea: Well that’s good to hear.
Surina: But why are you so different?
Herman: Because the person who controls my talking can’t remember how I sounded to begin with.
Professor: Right, you mean your deity.
Herman: Sure.
Professor: What, you don’t think there’s one thing controlling this entire universe, do you?
Surina, intrigued by Herman’s answer, starts taking notes. Lysithea nods in approval.
Surina and the Crystal gems, together with Herman, get ready to perform Prismatic Connection. Herman begins the song with a banjo introduction. A lone light on the stage centers on Herman, who is sitting on his cow, and the whole area suddenly smells like a swamp. Herman plays the introduction perfectly, setting the mood for the rest of the song. Lysithea lays down the backbeat for the song on the cowbell, casting Needs More Cowbell for the rest of the song (arcana 17). Octavia joins in on her lute, playing in counterpoint to Herman’s banjo (performance Nat 20, bonus roll 9). Professor comes in with the bass line, playing smoothly on his bass with the bow (performance 19). Gobbles fades in on the kazoo, trying to figure out how his kazoo can blend with the rest of the song (perception 22). He is able to join in without being overbearing. Surina finally comes in with the lyrics, singing soft and sweet, trying to pull on the heartstrings of the audience (persuasion 18).
A very solid beginning to the song.
The party all joins in singing with Herman. Professor casts Prestidigitation to make a prism of colors appear above the party (arcana 23). Lysithea tries to keep the beat going, accenting on 1 (performance 9). She’s doing okay on the beat but isn’t very confident in her singing, so she fades out. Octavia comes up from behind Herman and starts playing in unison with him, singing in harmony (performance 13). Surina continues to sing, still trying to win the hearts of the audience (persuasion 19). Gobbles activates the illustrious duel powers of Banjo-Kazooie and pops a Confetti Eldritch Blast through the kazoo (arcana 21, Fate roll +). Thistle helps Gobbles shoot the confetti through the kazoo, forming a prismatic arc around Professor’s prism of colors. Herman ends with a lone banjo pick and he rolls the final chord, which rings out through the entire audience (performance Nat 20).
Not a strong start to the second verse, but the performance finishes strong.
Lysithea: What happens if we lose? I mean, if we lose I guess we would have an easier time trying to solve the mystery without worrying about competing. But we would probably lose our tent and our place to stay, and that would make things more difficult.
Gobbles: Really, while we’re here we should just win the whole thing.
Lysithea: I mean, someone is obviously trying to take the bands out.
Gobbles: It’s all just coincidence, clearly.
Professor: Is it the anniversary of something, or is there an ancient burial ground or something?
Lysithea: All of the attacks have been something completely different.
The judges finally announce a score of 40.5 for Surina and the Crystal Gems.
Lysithea: What? We won?
Professor: Wow.
Lysithea: I will not try to sing again. I don’t know why I did that.
The Archmage Frederich gave the party a 10. Lady Pippa also gave the party a 10 for… reasons… Medora is crying from the performance, but gives the party an 8. Golag gives them an 8.5. Archibald gives them a 4.
Lysithea: That’s one point higher than last time. I think we’re growing on him.
The party has successfully defeated The Robed Zombies and will move on to the next round. The next bracket will be the St. Warrrggh!-Ustine Choir vs. Josie and the Tabaxi, and Surina and the Crystal Gems vs. Danny Man-Elf.
THE NEXT ROUND WILL BE HEAD-TO-HEAD. PREPARE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES.
Herman starts saddling up his cow to leave.
Herman: Well, time to get back to my farm.
Gobbles: You’re not going to stick around for the rest of the thing?
Herman: Nah.
Professor: Oh, I see. The check cleared so you’re on your way.
Herman: Check? They paid me in moonshine.
Professor: Right.
Gobbles: I wish you many cheeses on your journey.
Herman: Many cheeses back to you.
He throws on an oversized cowboy hat and starts riding away.
Professor: Where did you get that hat?
Herman: I found it.
Professor: Dang. I’ll trade you! Hats?
Herman stops and turns around.
Herman: What kind of hat you got?
Professor: I have this fancy lady hat.
Herman: That is a fancy lady hat.
Professor gestures back and forth between the two hats.
Herman: Any other items you got?
Professor: Hmmmm, no.
Herman: Shoot.
Gobbles: We have some things. Some souvenirs. Mechanical bulettes.
Herman: I trade you for the hat and the bulettes, too.
Professor: No.
Herman: Okay.
He turns back around and rides off into the sunset. As he disappears the party hears a cowboy whistle from out of nowhere.
Lysithea: What just happened?
Octavia: The whistling winds of the desert.
The party returns to their tent and discusses their theories on who the culprits are. So far they suspect Golag, who has an obvious bias for the St. Warrrgh!-Ustine Choir, some of the bands that have been eliminated already, Danny Man-Elf, and Archibald Bickerford Pembleton. Since all of the attacks have been different their main theory is that there is no one culprit, but several different people all trying to sabotage each other.
Suddenly a knock is heard on their cloth tent.
Professor: What was that?
A magical door appears, and Professor opens it. Standing there is Archmage Frederich Rogers in his sweater and tennis shoes.
Frederich: Thank you for inviting me into your wonderful abode.
Professor: I didn’t yet, I just opened the door. Is this like vampire rules?
Frederich: No, not at all, but thank you.
Professor: Okay. Come in then.
Frederich: This is just wonderful. Everything about this.
Professor: Sorry it’s a mess. Let me just…
Professor starts scrambling to clean up the bulette bits that he’s been experimenting on. He has learned that the magic that brought the bulette to life is dark, hex in nature.
Professor: This is no ordinary magic that we’re messing with here.
Frederich: Wonderful job so far.
Professor and Lysithea: Thank you.
Frederich: Have you found out what’s going on?
Professor: No, have you?
Frederich: I cannot interfere.
Lysithea: There’s a lot of different things happening and it’s making it difficult to narrow it down.
Professor: Yes, like performing everyday.
Frederich: You all are doing such a wonderful job. You should be proud of yourselves.
Lysithea: There’s just no consistency between the attacks.
Surina: But why is it a contest instead of a festival?
Frederich: Something has gotten into their heads, and that’s what I want you all to figure out.
Lysithea: We’re working on it.
Frederich: Marvelous. Now, you will be going up against Danny Man-Elf next round. He seems to be bringing in an outside band.
Lysithea: Can he do that?
Frederich: It seems he has two different performance styles.
Lysithea: He had a full orchestra this last time!
Frederich: And I suspect dark things, so be careful with this head-to-head. I would investigate this band he’s bringing in.
He turns around to leave.
Frederich: Good luck. I’m proud of you no matter how you do.
Lysithea: That is very wholesome and appreciated. Thank you.
Frederich: I’m going to go feed my fish.
Gobbles: Would you like some cheese?
Frederich: Why thank you.
Professor: Do you have anything else to eat?
Lysithea: We’ve been eating a lot of cheese.
Frederich: Is the food not good enough?
Gobbles: It was a few days ago.
Professor: Take a fancy here.
Frederich nods and waves his hand, purifying the food and drinks.
Lysithea: THANK YOU!
Professor: Oh thank god.
Professor and Gobbles immediately start chowing down. Frederich leaves and closes the door, causing it to disappear.
Lysithea: Well, I guess we need to investigate this band Danny Man-Elf is bringing in.
The party decides to take a casual stroll by Danny Man-Elf’s tent. They see instruments being brought into his tent, mostly guitars and drum sets. The party wants a closer look and moves in (stealth Gobbles 25, Professor 19, Octavia 25, Lysithea 21, Surina 6) but Surina in her clinking armor can’t get close to the tent without causing suspicion. Surina starts walking around, munching on some snacks. The rest of the party moves in closer to the tent (investigation Lysithea 14, Professor 21, Gobbles adjusted 20, Octavia 21). They notice that inscribed on all of the instruments is the same mosaic skull found on the bulettes. The party lets out a collective gasp.
Gobbles: Uh oh.
Professor: Dun dun dun-dun-dun dun!
Danny Man-Elf is seen instructing people where to put the instruments.
Professor: I have a plan. I could cast Disguise Self on myself to talk to the band to get some information from them.
Gobbles: Okay, so we would just need to distract the real one for a little bit.
Lysithea: We could go chat him up about his orchestra and introduce ourselves as his competitors.
Gobbles: Offer him some cheese, introduce myself…
Lysithea: Yes! Gobbles, go be you! I’ll chaperone.
Gobbles very enthusiastically scurries up to Danny with a massive cheese wheel above his head in offering.
Gobbles: Hi, I’m Gobbles the Goblin! Nice to meet you. Here’s some cheese! (persuasion 15)
Danny: Well, aren’t you an enthusiastic little fellow.
Gobbles: Yes.
Lysithea: Let me apologize for my Goblin. Hi, Mr. Man-Elf.
Danny: Greetings. You are the competition. I watched your set.
Lysithea: Yes, as you can see my friend here is a very big fan of yours.
Danny: Oh! Really? Big fan of what style?
Gobbles: Music!
Danny: All of it?
Gobbles: Yes!
Danny: Oh…
Lysithea: I’m particularly fond of the orchestra.
Danny: Ah, yes. You know we wrote for quite a few plays.
Lysithea: Yes. Which one was your favorite to write for? (persuasion 8)
He doesn’t seem that interested in what they are saying.
Danny: Well if you don’t know what they are, which do you think is my favorite?
Lysithea: Nightmare Before Candlenights.
Danny: Oh that one, that was a fun one. You know I starred in it. I sang for it.
Lysithea: Yes. That was one of my favorites as well.
Danny is now completely distracted by Gobbles and Lysithea.
As soon as the coast is clear Professor casts Disguise Self on himself, which turns him into Danny Man-Elf in everything except his voice.
Professor Man-Elf: So are you all um, *cough cough* I’ve been singing all day. Are you all ready for tomorrow?
Band: Definitely.
Professor Man-Elf: Then you all remember the plan, of course.
Band: You mean to play our songs?
Professor Man-Elf: Yes! Would you care to enlighten me on the routine once again? I just want to make sure that you all are up to speed seeing as how you are a last minute hire.
Band: Hire? We’re not a hire.
Professor Man-Elf: You mean I’m not paying you?
Band: You’re paying us.
Professor Man-Elf: Well, then, wha-wha.. You’re a hire!
Band: Okay, we’re going to be playing Insanity, right?
Professor Man-Elf: Yes. Wha-wha-what all instruments did you bring?
Band: Our usual instruments.
Professor Man-Elf: Are these rentals or are they yours?
Band: These are weird questions. They’re ours.
Professor Man-Elf: Ah, so they belong to you. Excellent. I just want you to be familiar with your equipment, you know. Rentals can be so… dodgy. What is the name of your normal group? Not Danny Man-Elf, but your own act. You must be in other groups. (perception 17) My assistant, she’s usually the one that goes and finds all of you people.
Band: Well, you know… we…are you feeling okay Danny?
Professor Man-Elf: Yes, yes, I’m fine. Long day singing, you know. Scratchy throat.
Band: The Fey didn’t get to you, did they?
Professor Man-Elf: No, of course not.
Band: Our group is Oingo Boingo.
Professor Man-Elf: Yes. Continue as you were. You’ll find refreshments elsewhere. Now get out of my tent.
Band: Okay…
Professor waves at the band as they leave until they are out of sight, and then immediately jumps at the instruments to inspect them (arcana 21). The instruments are definitely enchanted with magic. Since Professor has been tinkering with the bulettes he can tell that the magic is coming from the skull mosaic. He hears the call of a kazoo, letting him know that time is almost up. Professor wants to sabotage the instruments, but only has enough time to mess with one. He chooses to sabotage the drum set. He does another quick investigation of the tent and, finding nothing special, darts out. He hops over the fence very poorly, plops to the ground, and rolls away.
Danny Man-Elf is starting to get bored with the conversation.
Danny: If you’ll excuse me, I must go. I have things I have to do.
Gobbles: Look what I can do! *blows into the kazoo as hard as he can*
Danny: That sound! I might have a need for it. If you ever need another band…
He hands Gobbles his business card. Gobbles eyes grow wide and he gasps in awe upon receiving the card.
Lysithea: Thank you for your time. We look forward to competing with you tomorrow. Thank you for making my Gobbles’s day, week, month, and even his year.
Next time the real battle begins when the party goes head-to-head with Danny Man-Elf. End Session.
Check Out
Spotlight on Another Player:
- Miranda: Ian/Professor for his amazing Danny Man-Elf impression.
- Liz: I loved how much Cordelia talked today!
- Kevin: Everything Ian did as Professor. All of the words and the “Now get out of my tent” and the scrambling immediately… all of that was gold.
- Ian: Elvish Presley, and Liz and Cordelia figuring out he was cursed.
- Cordelia: Professor trying to trade hats with the hermit.
- Justice: Liz taking the lead in battle.
Challenge/Something Learned:
- Miranda: I’m having trouble thinking of creative things to do with the cowbell.
- Liz: I learned a little bit more about the game and how bonus actions work.
- Kevin: Not to underestimate new creatures that I don’t know about because they can hit really, really, really hard.
- Ian: Maybe don’t keep Spider Bro directly next to me because if there’s an AOE attack we can both be affected and that’s not good.
- Cordelia: Coming up with an answer for this.
- Justice: It was a challenge planning the scores for the other bands.
Prediction/Hope for Next Session:
- Miranda: I hope we figure out as many culprits as possible.
- Liz: I hope we win.
- Kevin: I hope we get to the championship and that every band that we’ve helped comes in to help us and it comes out full circle.
- Ian: I hope that we win the semifinals.
- Cordelia: I hope someone thinks of another song.
- Justice: I hope you all win.
Analysis: This was an incredibly fun session for all. Fun battle, amazing roleplay, and lots of laughs. Cordelia is finding her element in the roleplay aspect of the game. Most of the time she still mumbles under her breath in a silly voice, but she’s actually speaking as Surina. When we cue her to speak she becomes shy, but when she’s in the moment she’s creative and fun. She’s also not afraid to ask questions if she doesn’t understand something. She’s starting to act more like her silly, weird self that we love so much, which means she’s also getting more comfortable being herself around other people. She has been making so much progress with her confidence the past few sessions and we are so proud of her.