Check In Question: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
- Miranda: If I’m only allowed to pick 1 I will say coffee ice cream. If I can pick 2 I will also say pumpkin pie. Lysithea prefers lava cream to ice cream, but her favorite ice cream flavor is cinnamon.
- Shannon: Cookie dough, and cookie dough.
- Kevin: Cookie Two-Step, which is vanilla ice cream with brown sugar, chunks of chocolate crème filled cookies and chocolate chip cookie dough pieces.Gobbles eats Hydra-Meat ice cream, Hydra-Meat Two-Step.
- Justice: Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food for a fancy type of ice cream, and strawberry for a more regular type. High Explorer Kirk Mist’s favorite ice cream is from the Shumpech Swamps, where they have developed an excellent flavor using ground up beetles and this interesting fruit called the Fani.
- Ian: Salted caramel. Professor’s is rice.
- Cordelia: Mine is Cookies and Cream Cone. Surina doesn’t have a favorite because she likes them all.
- Liz: Mint chocolate chip. Octavia would probably have vanilla.
- Victor: Strawberry. Draggy’s favorite is strawberry.
When we last left, the party had just finished their adventure in the sewers and were trying to follow the mysterious winged person who’s been stealing, amongst other things. The precious gem eyes have been stolen from the statue of High Lord Salazar Breadcrumb in the town center, the party having been distracted by a misleading trail. They’ve been given hints from the Tortle Protectors of Ryphyet that they need to investigate the Acrael Shipping Company.
We begin with Professor, who has finally made his way to Rouge Hareng’s ship with his new double bass. K’un-Lun and Octavia have been trying to assist Professor, but he has been refusing the whole way.
K’un-Lun: I give up. Fine.
Professor finally makes it to his room on the ship, sets the bass down, casts reduce on it, and places it in the pot of holding.
Professor: *slaps forehead* This WHOLE time!
Professor, K’un-Lun, and Octavia make their way back to the dock where they find two finely dressed individuals standing in front of The Vigilance, The Acrael Shipping Company’s ship.
Finely Dressed Man: We need to leave now! Why is it taking so long to load up sand barrels?
Sand is the town’s main export.
K’un-Lun: Really?
(K’un-Lun History 17) The individuals are wearing the royal regalia of an ancient order of knights that K’un-Lun recognizes from his original time. These knights, which are wearing predominantly red, hail from Barlsod, a knightdom.
K’un-Lun: It’s those Sod-boys again. I cannot believe these schlomos are still around after all this time. They’re probably important.
Professor: Should we tell somebody? I don’t know. Let’s just go.
They decide to move on and pay the knights no further attention.
Surina, Lysithea, and Gobbles are heading back to their ship.
Lysithea: I need to shower! I smell like sewer, and I’m frustrated with the past events of this day!
As they approach the dock they see the same knights standing in front of The Vigilance shouting that they need to leave now.
Lysithea: *rolls eyes* We need them to NOT leave now. Maybe we should get help this time? Cause I hurt.
Gobbles: We could just wing it and hope for the best.
Lysithea: I think that’s what we’ve been doing for the past day and I hurt.
Gobbles: We won!
Lysithea: No, the others need to come do some work, too.
Lysithea continues to stomp her way to the ship to get the rest of the party. Upon their return to the ship they find K’un-Lun holding Professor up off the bow of the ship like in Titanic. Gobbles immediately joins in. Thistle has some water spray up from the sea, splashing on the three in a majestic manner.
K’un-Lun: Why is this happening?
Lysithea: I’m glad you’re having fun. We have to go do work now.
Professor: Fine.
Lysithea: I wish I had a camera, or knew what a camera was, so that I could take a picture of whatever that was that just happened.
Lysithea, through gritted teeth, explains the events of the past day (see Sessions 26 and 27) to K’un-Lun, Professor and Octavia.
Lysithea: …So the winged person came on that ship *points to The Vigilance* and gave Josie and the Tabaxi the pendants while they were on it. And now there are people on the ship yelling that they have to leave now and we can’t let them do that because we need to interrogate the ship workers. And I smell like a sewer and this has been a bad day and I would like help now!
Professor: What do you suggest we do?
Lysithea: Go and interrogate them!
Professor: Out here in the open?
K’un-Lun: What if we tell them we work on the boat and that it’s going to be a few minutes?
Lysithea: Let’s just go start asking questions.
Professor: Well, what are we waiting for?
The knights are still fussing at the Acrael workers, who are trying to calm them down. There are several workers on the boat trying to get it ready to leave. (Perception Gobbles 18, Lysithea 16, K’un-Lun adjusted 20, Professor 11, Surina 10) The party looks around to find their best option. There is one more important-looking person off to the side with a clipboard, directing workers where to go. There are also standard dock workers, and some not-so-standard workers. Some of the workers don’t look the most reputable, as if they are more pirate than worker. Lysithea decides to start with the important clipboard-director.
Director: Can I help you?
Lysithea: Yes, I have just a couple of questions I would like to ask you.
The director wrinkles his nose just a little at Lysithea’s approach.
Lysithea: I apologize for my smell. It’s been a rough day.
Director: Okay, how can I help you?
Lysithea: Our friends, Josie and the Tabaxi, came in on this ship. They had a fan that was a bit obsessive and gave them something. We are wondering if you have any records of this fan.
Director: Well, of course I keep the clearest records of anyone, as I work for the illustrious Acrael Shipping Company.
Lysithea: Ah, you are a man of class.
Director: Well, yes, I am!
Lysithea: I’m a fan of keeping records, myself.
Director: Oh, it is the most wonderful thing, paperwork is! Yes, yes, we did carry Josie and the Tabaxi. They needed to come here, they paid the standard amount for transport. As for fans, the Tabaxi did have some fans…
Lysithea: Did any of them have wings? (persuasion 14)
Director: Well, we do not discriminate at the Acrael Shipping Company, *starts flipping through clipboard*, and I’m not normally one to divulge that type of information. We do carry quite a few people, but there is no record of what they look like. If you knew their name we could possibly help.
Lysithea: Well that’s unfortunate.
Professor: Dracula!
Director: No, we did not carry anyone by the name of Dracula.
Lysithea: Unfortunately we do not have their name. The reason we’re looking for them is because they gave something dangerous to Josie and the Tabaxi.
Director: Dangerous? Well, The Acrael Shipping Company, in the utmost confidence, would not carry anything dangerous.
Lysithea: I’m not implying that you would carry anything dangerous. But this person was carrying something dangerous.
(Insight K’un-Lun 13, Lysithea 11, Gobbles 16, Professor 9, Surina 22) Surina notices that at the words “carry anything dangerous” he is not fully being truthful. There is some hesitancy in his voice.
Surina: It helps to tell the whole truth. (persuasion 14)
Director: Okay. There are some… weirdos… that occasionally come on the ship. They’re hired by Acrael…
Octavia: Definition of “weirdo”?
Gobbles: Hi, I’m Gobbles the Goblin!
The director takes a long look at the party….
Director: Weirdos…
Octavia feels a chill run up her spine.
Director: But we do not participate in any of that. Ah, I have something else to do. If you’ll excuse me, these fine people that paid for our services are raising a commotion.
He does not try to hide the fact that he is trying to get as far away from the party as possible as he walks off. Professor watches after the director as he walks away, then turns around and walks onto The Vigilance. No one stops him. The party looks around, then hurries to follow him. Professor walks past the dock workers to the ship’s quarters, pretending to show the party around the ship.
Professor: Excuse me. Pardon me. Yes, yes, people, right this way.
They head straight to the captain’s quarters. K’un-Lun (stealth 22) quietly opens the door. Inside there is an older gentleman standing over a desk facing away, and a younger man pointing at a map on the desk. They do not notice K’un-Lun as he enters the room. They are having a discussion about making sure everything is stowed away so they can leave, that the knights are well taken care of, and how they get done with this next part as soon as possible so they can get on to their next bout of business. K’un-Lun (stealth 26) leans in a bit closer and sees they are pointing to the Jorra’be Jungle on the map. K’un-Lun has deciphered that the ship will be returning the knights to Barlsod before heading to the Jorra’be Jungle, a place that people avoid at all costs. K’un-Lun sneaks back out of the captain’s quarters and informs the party of the information he just acquired.
K’un-Lun: To as of what their actual goal is I do not know.
Professor: They can’t go to the jungle! They can’t go there!
Lysithea: Why can’t they go there?
Professor: I.. I.. I don’t know, but yeah, they can’t go there!
K’un-Lun: Yeah, that’s how it was back in my day. You just don’t go there, man. Just don’t go there.
Professor: I think we gotta go there.
Lysithea: I think we have to go there. So do we want to try asking them, or do we want to try to beat them there?
Gobbles: We should steal the ship’s engine, and then go there.
Professor: We should wreck their sails.
While they are discussing they hear from behind them a loud AHEM! They turn around and see a rather big, imposing figure (Insight/Perception K’un-Lun 12, Octavia, 12, Lysithea adjusted 20, Professor Nat 20, Gobbles 16, Surina 19). This guy, down to his tattoos, looks very familiar. He is wearing a disguise, and while he recognizes the party he is hiding in hopes that the party doesn’t recognize him.
Professor: MATEEN! How ya doing?
Mateen: SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Professor: Sorry.
K’un-Lun: What happened to you? You look like garbage, dude.
Mateen: Thank you, I was going for that. What are you all doing here?
Lysithea: I’d like to ask you the same question!
Mateen: Come with me.
Mateen takes a look around, then leads the party below deck. He takes them past the guest areas and crew’s quarters, which are all very nice, and leads them further down. He walks up to a panel and knocks a very intricate, rhythmical knock. The panel slides open and they are greeted with another familiar face. Sable’s hair is now dyed in purples and reds.
Lysithea: This is not how I wanted my day to go.
Sable: Mateen! What are you doing?
Mateen: I brought guests! I brought friends!
Sable motions them to enter. Lounging in the back is Slogoth, who jumps up at the sight of the party.
Slogoth: Ah, my friends! It’s been a while.
Professor: Where’s my hole?
Slogoth: It’s my hole! What brings you onto my ship?
Lysithea: We happened to be looking for the same winged creature that stole Queen Themaphila’s statuette. You know, the one that you got accused of stealing?
Slogoth: Winged creature… winged creature… Yes. He’s not here.
Lysithea: Yes, we know he is not here now but he was.
Slogoth: Was he? I don’t remember. I didn’t see him. I would have seen him. I still have a bone to pick with him.
Lysithea: You’re just as much help as always.
Slogoth: Why did they bring you in here?
Lysithea: You can blame Mateen for that.
Slogoth: Oh I plan on it. You see, we’re working a job right now.
Lysithea: Oh, really?
Slogoth: Yeah. We’re sailing. We’re sailors now. Since our previous exploits we decided to get off the land for a bit…
Lysithea: And you’re hiding behind a secret panel because…?
Slogoth: I’m not hiding, I’m working.
Slogoth is wearing the same sailing outfit as the other ship workers, instead of his normal suit.
Slogoth: We’re just working. This is where the Acrael Shipping Company puts things, and I’m cataloging things.
Octavia: Behind a secret door.
K’un-Lun: What business do you have in the Jorra’be Jungle?
Slogoth: What are you talking about?
K’un-Lun: I heard some schlubs upstairs talking about heading to Jorra’be after reaching their destination in Barlsod.
Slogoth: Really now? Is that where we’re heading next?
Professor: Shouldn’t you know? You work here, right?
Octavia: Behind a secret door.
Slogoth: I work here in a…
Professor: You’ve got a ghost writer?
Slogoth: You see, how I work here is…
Lysithea: You’re part of the things not on the up-and-up, aren’t you?
Slogoth: You know my business and how I do some dealings? My path is crossing with this other path. We planned on jumping ship soon with some cargo that shouldn’t be here. See, we’re the good guys here.
Octavia: Sounds like it, for sure *sarcasm*.
Slogoth: See, the Acrael Shipping Company is the pirates, and we’re just trying to get back stuff that doesn’t belong to them.
Octavia: Of course.
Lysithea: And you’re going to return it to where it came from?
Octavia: Of course not.
Slogoth: We’re returning it somewhere.
Lysithea: You’re just as bad as they are. Gee, I’m shocked *deadpan*.
Slogoth: Listen, I got some information and I’ll trade it for you to just look the other way right now.
Professor: Deal. That was easy. We don’t have to do anything.
Lysithea: If it means we don’t have to see you for a while.
Octavia: Yeah, if it means we don’t have to talk about you, or think about you, or…
Slogoth: Okay, so listen. The Acrael Company hired us…
Lysithea: That was their first mistake.
Slogoth: They don’t do background checks. So we got hired to help them in their, let’s not call it pirating… privateering. So they picked us up knowing that all these people were out of jobs or lost, we gave them some information. We got a job helping and we found out they had all this other stuff going on, too. So we’re going to take some stuff and go next time we stop. They keep some records. You all were talking about some guests that we don’t know about? See, we stay down here. They don’t want us near some of their guests. But they keep some records.
Lysithea: And these records would be found…?
Slogoth: In the captain’s quarters. Usually with that old man. The old man is the one you want, not the younger one.
Lysithea: Who is the younger one?
Slogoth: He’s the captain. *winks* See, the older gentleman works in the kitchen *wink wink*. So, we’re good now?
Lysithea: I wouldn’t exactly put it that way, but we’ll leave you be.
Slogoth: Good. Deal. Glad to do business with you!
He starts pushing some items into his portable hole, prompting Lysithea to think.
Lysithea: There aren’t any precious gems here, are there?
Slogoth: Gems? There’s gems. Some more business you have?
Lysithea: We’re looking for the ones specifically stolen out of the statue stolen out of the middle of the town of Ryphyet.
Slogoth: *gasp* Someone stole those gems?
Lysithea: Oh my god, stop it. You’re not that good of a liar.
Slogoth: No, those gems haven’t made it on the ship yet.
Lysithea: Are they coming here?
Slogoth: Look, of course we know they were stolen, we know they were taken. If they’re looking to fence them there’s a few places they’ll take them. They’re probably not going to Barlsod, where this ship is going. Depending on who stole them, there’s a chance they might end up here.
Lysithea: And if they do you’ll return them.
Slogoth: See, that sounded like a question but it didn’t sound like a question.
Lysithea: ‘Twasn’t a question.
Octavia: Can we make an agreement?
Slogoth: Oh, I like agreements. We can make a deal.
Octavia: Like an air-tight one. What could we give him in exchange for information?
Lysithea: Me not lighting him on fire. Cause I still owe him that.
Octavia: See, I don’t think he thinks that’s ever going to happen so he’s not going to take that deal.
Lysithea: I could do it right now.
Surina: If you see those gems you should either return them or let us know. (persuasion 19)
Slogoth: Okay, since we go way back. If I see the gems I’ll let you know where I see them.
Professor: It’s a start.
Octavia: That’s a beginning, but how do we know he won’t sell them to the highest bidder before telling us?
Slogoth: I promise I’ll let you know where I see them.
Lysithea: Without selling them to someone else first.
Slogoth: If I end up in possession of them I won’t sell them.
K’un-Lun: That’s good enough for me.
Lysithea: That’s fine. Can we leave now?
The party takes their leave of Slogoth and company and finds the old man slowly walking with his cane towards the kitchen. K’un-Lun sneakily follows the man (stealth 25), who is mumbling to himself as he slowly limps towards the kitchen. Once in the kitchen K’un-Lun sees the man drop the weak facade as he cracks his back and stands up straight.
K’un-Lun: Wow, he’s ripped!
The man opens up a scroll, looks it over, and puts it back. K’un-Lun (stealth 21) sees him spread open more documents (perception Nat 1) but he cannot figure out anything that is written on them. He is perfectly sneaking, but the Hamster Dance is playing in his head as he tries to read the documents from his position. The old man reseals all of the documents, opens up a secret compartment filled with more documents, stores everything, then seals the compartment back up. He cracks his back again, grabs his cane, resumes his huddled, weak posture, and hobbles out of the kitchen. K’un-Lun stays in the room after he leaves.
While this was happening Octavia and Surina walked up to the deck, hoping to find more information. Professor opens the door closest to him, walks in, and closes the door behind him. Gobbles wants to throw a wrench in the ship’s workings, so he starts sneaking around (stealth 22) hiding cheese in any crevice he can find (sleight of hand 10) hoping to attract rats. He is perfectly stealthed as he scuttles about, and in his head he is perfectly hiding the cheese, but he’s actually just dropping it as he goes to place it. Lysithea decides to chaperone Gobbles as he ducks and rolls around the ship. She’s walking behind him, trying her hardest not to laugh, like a parent watching their child’s imagination run wild.
The room Professor snuck into is one of the guest rooms. His eyes go wide with excitement when he discovers the armor of knights. On the breastplate is the emblem of a red jaguar. This is the room of the knights that were urging the ship to leave.
Professor: Oh no. I should not be here.
He opens their chest, finding lots of weapons and some papers. He reads the papers, which are orders to collect lost mystical items, specifically the amulets of Anubis. The orders are official, signed by their Lord Commander. Professor takes the orders.
Professor: This is evidence.
(Perception 19) He notices both sets of armor are spotless, the perfectly clean and shiny armor of a commander and vice commander. The armor and weapons are definitely magical; however, these weapons are not their best weapons. They most likely keep their best swords on them at all times. Professor starts taking things, mostly weapons, and throws them into his pot. The armor does not fit, so he tries to take the emblems off (athletics 10). He climbs on top of the armor, trying his hardest to get the emblems off, but they are magically welded on. Professor gives up and spits in their shoes.
K’un-Lun is still in the kitchen. He opens the secret compartment and finds a lot of sealed documents. K’un-Lun tries to find an organizational system (investigation Nat 1), but he is unable to decipher anything. He assumes the papers have been shoved into the compartment with no sense of organization whatsoever. K’un-Lun takes everything, wraps the documents in his cloak of billowing, and leaves.
Lysithea is following Gobbles, who is ducking, rolling, and throwing cheese, when she hears a voice from behind her.
Old Man: Can I help you young lady?
Lysithea: I believe I’ve lost someone.
Old Man: Losing someone is never a good thing. Now, I don’t know you so I’m guessing you don’t belong here.
Lysithea: I’m just trying to find my Goblin.
Old Man: Well, we have a Goblin on board. He’s kind of a weird fellow. He came to us wearing a suit.
Lysithea: That does not sound like my Goblin.
Old Man: Well, that’s the only Goblin I’ve seen. Maybe you need help looking.
Lysithea: Sure, I’d love some help.
Gobbles (stealth 10) still manages to remain unseen by the old man.
Old Man: He might not be down here, so let’s you and me head up. Cause you’re not supposed to be down here.
Lysithea: I just hope he doesn’t get hurt.
Old Man: You’re speaking awfully loud, there.
Lysithea: I’ve had a hard day.
Old Man: So have I. Come this way.
The old man begins ushering Lysithea away.
Old Man: Now, why are you down here?
Lysithea: I was following my Goblin.
Old Man: Oooh…. Well… you head on up. I need to go check on something now.
The old man gets a look of “oh no, someone is sneaking on the ship and we can’t have that” upon his face.
Lysithea: He’s a playful little thing.
Old Man: Okay, head on up young lady.
Lysithea: Don’t hurt my Goblin.
Old Man: *nods* Head on up.
Lysithea heads up and the old man turns and starts heading towards the kitchen.
K’un-Lun exits the kitchen and sees the old man ushering Lysithea out. In his quick thinking K’un-Lun jumps and spreads his arms, holding himself flat against the ceiling to hide, with his cloak full of documents on his stomach (stealth 15). The old man is moving awfully fast for someone who is supposed to be hobbling, making his way closer to K’un-Lun’s position. Gobbles, who has seen the whole thing, does a very obvious jump roll out to the center of the hallway. He launches a piece of cheese at the old man (attack 15) and the cheese bounces off of him.
Old Man: Get off the ship! Guards!
Gobbles starts rolling away as he hears thumping from below. Mateen and Sable run up and chase after the rolling Gobbles.
Mateen: Come here, little fella. Wink wink!
Mateen lifts Gobbles off the ground, who continues to run in the air, and carries him up.
Old Man: Kids these days.
The old man turns around and leaves. K’un-Lun, who is really sweaty from holding his position, drops down when the coast is clear.
Professor hears the commotion coming from outside the room and runs out. He enters the hallway just in time to see K’un-Lun starting to run downstairs.
Professor: Pssst! Pssssst!
K’un-Lun, who is holding his arms full of documents, turns to see Professor, who is holding an arm and pot full of weapons.
K’un-Lun: We’re not heroes anymore, are we?
Professor: Now is not the time for a philosophical crisis!
K’un-Lun sheds a single tear.
Professor: Let’s go!
K’un-Lun and Professor start running towards the deck, knowing they need to get off the boat as soon as possible.
While all this is happening, Octavia and Surina are looking for someone they can ask more questions to on deck. From behind them they hear a shout of, “FINALLY” as two very important people dressed in red walk on board followed by the clipboard director.
Knight: We are finally on! We will finally be setting sail soon!
Director: Yes, yes. Soon, definitely soon. *spots Surina and Octavia* Wait, wait, what are you two doing here?
Octavia: We just came up, hanging out here on the deck.
Director: You shouldn’t be up here!
Octavia: Excuse me, I was just told to come to the deck.
Director: By whom? Who told you to come on deck?
Octavia: *coughs*
Surina: We are here because we need to talk to somebody. (persuasion 21)
Director: Yes. Okay, this would be a good place to come to talk to somebody. But you talked to me. Did I not give you enough answers?
Octavia: Where are we supposed to go, then? We can’t be below deck and we can’t be here.
Director: Well no, you definitely can’t be below deck.
The clipboard director is now confused.
Director: I mean… the captain? You could talk to the captain.
Surina: Yes, please.
Director: Right this way, then.
The director leads Surina and Octavia to the captain’s quarters.
Director: Captain? There’s these people that say they need to talk to you.
Captain: Well yes, I assume so. This is the great Surina, did you not hear her play? Welcome my friends! This is The Vigilance, one of the ships of The Acrael Shipping Company. How can I help you?
Surina: Can you tell me about when Josie and the Tabaxi were on this boat?
Captain: Why yes! The Acrael Shipping Company not only ships goods and services, we carry fine guest rooms and carry people wherever they need to go for a great payment. And yes, we did take Josie and the Tabaxi here from Barlsod. Ah, what a great performance they did at Barlsod. Shame what happened to them. Evil, they became evil.
Octavia: Did you notice anything weird about them while you were transporting them here?
Captain: Besides them being cat people…
Octavia: I mean, no judgement.
Director: Weirdos…
Captain: … and them being musicians, no. At least, until halfway through the journey. We should have noticed it sooner, but we didn’t. They just did not end up good people, as you saw.
Octavia: And you noticed it halfway through the journey?
Captain: We noticed some bad happenstance. Our crew was getting mean and arguing often, just like you saw happen outside of Ryphyet.
Surina: Did you see a winged person? (persuasion 18)
Captain: You know, we did see somebody like that. He wasn’t one of our guests, he was just on the boat. But then he was off the boat. We assumed he just flew, landed, and left. You know, like seagulls do. It was odd. But that was it.
Octavia: Interesting. I think we’ll take that information and leave.
Captain: Have a good day. If you ever need services *passes Octavia a card* The Acrael Shipping Company is here to ship your goods and services, and also people.
Octavia: Great way to put it, thank you. Wonderful marketing and advertising, 10 out of 10.
Octavia and Surina head back to the deck to find Sable and Mateen bringing Gobbles to Lysithea.
Lysithea: My Goblin! You found him!
The two knights give everyone a nod and head down, passing by K’un-Lun and Professor as they run up.
Professor: Good day. Nice armor. *turns to the party* We need to go.
Lysithea: Come, Gobbles, let’s leave and get on our boat this time.
Professor: You have no idea how fast we need to leave.
Lysithea: I have a pretty good idea.
The party confidently shuffles off The Vigilance, and as soon as they are out of sight begin sprinting towards their own ship.
Professor: Do you think they saw us?
K’un-Lun: I hope not. Let’s go.
As they run they hear back from The Vigilance…
Knight: What do you mean our room is being cleaned? You never clean anything here! We need to get there!
The party safely makes it back to Rouge Hareng’s ship. Lysithea turns to K’un-Lun and Professor.
Lysithea: What did you take?
K’un-Lun opens his cloak and all of the documents spill onto the floor.
Lysithea: *excited* Oooooh! Let me at it!
K’un-Lun: I knew you would love this.
Lysithea starts rummaging through the documents (investigation 6). The documents are all tied with different colored strings. She assumes it’s some type of sorting system, but she cannot figure it out. Professor starts emptying the pot one weapon at a time.
Professor: I took this, and this, and this…
Lysithea: But.. how.. Okay…We should probably leave the city at this point.
Professor: That’s what I keep saying.
Professor also reveals the orders to find the lost mythical items.
Gobbles: We’ve got their weapons and their documents. We can just be them!
Everyone begins investigating all of the documents that K’un-Lun stole. The documents are all written in some sort of code. Gobbles, who is part rogue, can actually decipher the documents, which are written in Thieves’ Cant. The documents tied with a blue-red string are shipping manifests, logs of illegal shipments and any pirated items. Other colors represent deals that have been made, some represent contacts. What they can deduce from everything is that The Acrael Shipping Company is a front for pirates. They also find documentation showing an order to steal the Knights of the Jaguar’s armor and weapons.
Gobbles: All we need to do is slip this document back to them and then we’re clear!
Professor: See!
Octavia: That doesn’t mean we’re not mad!
They continue to search through the documents and find no documentation of the winged person.
Octavia: Well that makes sense. The captain said he dropped down like a seagull, stayed ahile, then went away.
Lysithea: So we still have nothing on this winged creature. But we now know that The Acrael Shipping company is basically pirates and that they will eventually be heading to Jorra’be Jungle after stopping in Barlsod.
The party begins discussing their options concerning the knights and all of the information they obtained while on The Vigilance. (History Professor 11, Gobbles 12, Octavia adjusted 20, Lysithea 21, K’un-Lun 18, Surina 14) Barlsod is a knightdom ruled by a Lord Commander, who presides over a collection of knight-groups. Most knight-groups have a commander and vice commander. The knight groups of legend are the Knights of the Jaguar, Knights of the Barracuda, Knights of the Monkeys, Knights of the Iguana, Knights of the Parrots, and Knights of the Snakes. The knights have a duty of protecting the “lost” and mythical artifacts of the land. They occasionally go on quests to find these artifacts. Barlsod also holds the basis of the Explorer’s League, who work with the knights to discover hidden areas. Do they want to go to Barlsod? Should they head straight to Jorra’be Jungle?
Surina, Gobbles, and Lysithea still smell of sewer and have not had a chance to rest from the events of the past day. As the party discusses their options they hear rumbling coming from the sea. The party quickly runs out to the deck to see what’s going on. A voice echoes through the air.
Voice: You have lost the protection of High Lord Salazar Breadcrumb! He has decreed as his statue has been vandalized! We are now free!
Professor: Who is “we”?
Gobbles: Probably not friends.
Octavia: Why does this always happen?
Water elemental mermadons appear. (Initiative Lysithea 9, Gobbles 19, Octavia 7, K’un-Lun 16, Surina 13, Professor 5)
Begin Elemental Battle
The first elemental destroys the bridge connecting The Vigilance by summoning the water to crush it, causing it to disintegrate into splinters.
Voice: The fury will be upon Ryphyet soon!
Gobbles: No!
Gobbles double Confetti Eldritch Blasts the closest elemental (attack 14, 7) but neither blast hits. The elemental turns around and destroys the bridge connecting the party’s ship to the dock. K’un-Lun jumps from the ship to the dock, using Step of the Wind to double his jumping distance (acrobatics 14). He lands on the dock and starts running towards the elemental that broke their bridge. He punches the elemental (attack 25, 25) and casts Flurry of Blows (17, 26) – 3 of his punches hit for a total of 24 damage. Surina uses her Misty Step and appears behind the same elemental. She swings her sword at the elemental (attack 13) but misses. She attacks again (attack 22) and hits for 5 damage. Lysithea casts Witch Bolt on the third elemental (attack 15) but misses. She then calls forth her Hound of Ill Omen and commands it to target the first elemental. Out of the shadows the hound appears 15ft from it’s target (initiative 18). The second elemental walks up to Surina and hits her for 6 damage. It hit her again for another 6 damage. It attacks her one more time, but she is able to dodge the attack. Octavia remains on the ship and fires at the elemental behind Surina (attack 27) for 7 damage. She fires again (attack 21) and hits for an additional 12 damage. Professor also remains on the ship. He reaches into his bag, grabs a ball, and tosses Bulette Bro onto the dock. He activates Bullet Bro and has it fire at one of the elementals (13) but the shot misses.
Across the way 2 individuals wearing suits of armor run out of The Vigilance. The weapons they have drawn shine in a radiant glow. The Knights of the Jaguar are ready to fight!
Knight: We will assist the city of Ryphyet as well!
Professor: Oh no, it’s the cops!
The first elemental attacks the hound…
Elemental: The herald will be coming soon! Lord Salazar can protect you no longer!
… hitting for 12 damage. It hits it again for 7 damage, but the hound evades the third attack. Gobbles attempts to cast Compelled Duel on the closest water elemental, but the elemental completely ignores him. The hound bites its target (attack 21) for 9 piercing damage. Vice Commander Ursula, one of the knights, jumps down from her ship and attacks the elemental (attack Nat 20), hitting for 20 damage. The second elemental turns and attacks K’un-Lun. The trident it is wielding starts to glow a light blue as it attacks. It misses its first attack, but hits on the second for 12 piercing damage and 4 cold damage. K’un-Lun’s movement is temporarily reduced by 10ft as he feels a chill spread through his body.
K’un-Lun: Brrrrrrrrrrr!
It attacks K’un-Lun one more time, but misses. K’un-Lun attacks back with a Pressure Point Strike (attack adjusted 20), giving the elemental disadvantage till its next turn. K’un-Lun attacks again (attack 13) but misses, but his final punch (attack 27) hits for a total of 16 damage. Surina attacks one of the elementals with her sword (attack 15) but is unable to hit. She swings again (attack 17) but still cannot hit. One of the elementals takes an attack against Surina, but as it goes to stab her, its arm holding its trident turns into pure water, splashes down, and the trident is no more. It tries to reform the trident to attack her again, but is unable to. Octavia casts Hunter’s Mark on an elemental and fires at it, but her first shot misses. Her second shot, however, hits (attack 21) for 13 damage. Professor casts Fire Bolt at an elemental (attack 17) but the attack misses. He fires Bulette Bro at the elemental, but it also misses. Calus, the other Knight of the Jaguar, leaps off of The Vigilance onto the dock. His smile is perfect, the wind blows his hair, and the splash of the water causes him to sparkle as he leaps. He lands and immediately attacks the closest elemental, dealing a decent amount of damage. The elemental’s trident begins glowing red as it stabs at Commander Ursula, but she is able to dodge the attack.
Gobbles: Let’s do this!
Gobbles leaps off of the boat (acrobatics 19) and strikes a heroic pose mid- air.
Professor: Oh NOW he’s warmed up.
It looks like it’s going to be an epic entrance to the dock, but then Thistle accompanies the leap with the call of the kazoo, making the leap almost comical. Gobbles lands and swings his warhammer at an elemental (attack 23), dealing 7 damage. He smashes the elemental again (attack 21) for 11 more damage. The Hound of Ill Omen tries to bite the elemental (attack 17) but its bite does no damage. Ursula attacks the elemental twice, missing the first attack but making a critical strike on the second. The elementals look like they are starting to be worn down. The next elemental tries to pummel K’un-Lun, hitting twice for a total of 11 damage.
K’un-Lun: Ouch.
K’un-Lun punches the elemental back (attack 19, 16) and uses a Flurry of Blows (attack adjusted 20, 25) for a total of 22 damage. Surina strikes an elemental (attack Nat 20) and casts Divine Smite for a total of 26 damage. She attacks again (attack 14) but her attack does not make contact.
Lysithea: *imitating Professor* I’m going to reach into my bag, and I’m going to take out a little box, and I’m going to open my box and take out a scorpion and I’m going to chuck it!
Lysithea pulls her pet scorpion, Jeffrey, and tosses it into the air, then takes her Staff of Swarming Insects and casts Giant Insect on it. The rather large scorpion lands on the dock and immediately attacks an elemental.
Octavia: That’s a big boy.
Lysithea: BWUAHAHA! Behold, my pet!
Buletto Bro is quite intimidated by the giant scorpion. Jeffrey uses multiattack against an elemental. Both of his claws attacks miss (attack 13, 16), but it’s able to hit with its stinger (attack 22). The stinger does 10 piercing damage and a residual 8 poison damage.
Lysithea: Good boy, Jeffrey!
An elemental attacks Surina three times, hitting only once for 7 damage. Octavia fires at her marked elemental (attack 18) and hits for 15 damage. She second shot also hits (attack 26) for an additional 9 damage. Professor hops off of the ship (acrobatics 6) and bellyflops onto the dock, taking 1 damage from his landing.
Professor: I’m fine, I’m okay!
He casts Arcane Weapon with electricity onto his crossbow then fires at an elemental. When his attack misses he shoots Fire Bolt at the same elemental, which also misses. Calus attacks the fires elemental and hits for 10 damage.
Elemental: THE HERALD IS COMING!
Gobbles: We haven’t finished this yet!
The elemental begins to move towards the center of the dock in order to begin a summoning ritual. It gives Calus, Ursula, and the Hound an attack of opportunity when it moves, but all three miss. The Elemental begins to glow and eerie blue as it begins the ritual. Gobbles attempts to angrily boop the closest elemental (attack 23, 20). His attacks do 9 damage, defeating the elemental.
Gobbles: Salutations for 15 minutes!
Surina starts laughing. The Hound follows its target and bites at it, but it still cannot do damage. Ursula attacks the elemental in the center of the dock and crits on her hit for 13 damage. K’un-Lun attacks an elemental (attack 23, 21, 15), hitting twice for 18 damage. Surina swings her sword (attack 23), hitting the elemental for 8 damage. She swings again (attack 22), dealing an additional 12 damage. Jeffrey launches another multiattack against the elemental. Once again both claw attacks miss (attack 17, 16), but Jeffrey is able to hit with his stinger (attack Nat 20). The attack does 13 damage to the elemental, and deals an additional 24 poison damage. The elemental is defeated! Lysithea then shoots Fire Bolt at the remaining elemental (attack 18) for 14 fire damage. Octavia moves her Hunter’s Mark to the last elemental, then shoots at it (attack 18) for 13 damage. The elemental is defeated! The ritual has been disrupted!
End Elemental Battle
After a collective sigh of relief the party and the knights realize that The Vigilance has sailed off. The two Knights of the Jaguar are now stranded in Ryphyet due to the cowardice of the crew. Rouge Hareng and his boat are still there waiting for the party, but the gangplank has been destroyed.
Lysithea: Can I bathe now?
Where will the party go next? End Session.
Check Out
Spotlight on Another Player:
- Miranda: Ian and Shannon for their excellent thievery roleplay on the ship.
- Liz: Cordelia, she did some good work today making decisions.
- Kevin: Justice for the Sam Eagle Mr. Arrow reference.
- Ian: Miranda for “Where’s my Goblin?”
- Cordelia: I liked having my uncles here.
- Shannon: Gobbles for laying cheese around the ship.
- Justice: Everyone’s roleplaying was great today.
Challenge/Something Learned:
- Miranda: I learned both how to use my hound and my scorpion.
- Liz: Sometimes stealing stuff is the right thing to do.
- Kevin: Cheese and stealth go hand in hand.
- Ian: Stealing is always the answer.
- Cordelia: I was tired from my fun day yesterday.
- Shannon: Sometimes you gotta go against your moral code for the benefit of the party.
- Justice: Don’t believe challenge ratings that say “deadly”.
Hope/Prediction for Next Session:
- Miranda: I hope everyone can come next week so we can celebrate my birthday.
- Liz: I think we are going to talk more about the jungle and make some decisions there.
- Kevin: We’re going to ruin Barlsod.
- Ian: I’m hoping we get some good weapons in that pile I stole.
- Cordelia: I hope everyone can come again.
- Shannon: I hope those knights don’t figure out who stole their stuff.
- Justice: I hope you all go to Barlsod and that more of the story develops. Barlsod is an exciting place I developed.
Analysis: Cordelia had gotten to spend a fun day with her vaccinated Gigi the day before this session so she was very tired; however, she was still engaged in the session. She was paying attention to what was going on and didn’t get distracted by her brother. It helps that we have given her something that she can use to occupy herself without getting distracted – dice jail. In the past few sessions Cordelia has been the warden of dice jail, rehabilitating our dice inside of an easter egg that she decorated as a prison cell. She was having so much fun with it I ordered her a proper dice jail cell and a timeout chair with a dunce cap for dice (thank goodness I did because the Easter egg eventually broke). This type of “distraction” is excellent for young, fidgety kids. She’s staying on task because she’s in charge of the dice, plus she feels like she’s being helpful when other characters are having their turn. Putting children in charge of game tasks like dice jail, initiative tracker, spell counter, page keeper, or researcher for older children/teens not only helps them feel important but puts them in a leadership role. We are hoping to see Cordelia take on more leadership roles as she continues to grow.
