TTTB 05 - Dealing With The Devil
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TTTB 05 - Dealing With The Devil

The Ties That Bind
February 12, 2023

Overview

The team gets just murdered 2 very important people! But perhaps Lord Oswin can help, surely this will go well?

Henk, Zurik, and Peregrine spends 3 days in the Dark Pleasures trying to best Garnet

Red finds a temporary solution to her ailment, or does it make it worse?

Ara ages 10 years in real life during the session.

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At the Negotiating Table

Presh Manor

The party had decided to let Rose bring up Arno. Ara was seething with anger, warning them that they were all doomed if they let the other heirs die. He didn't want to rule a country in the midst of a war and instead wished to begin his reign in peace. However, his restless spirit led him to suggest that they head over to Oswin's territory.

To avoid any suspicions, they told Eucleaus to spin a tale of being robbed and raided by vagrants. Henk disguised the bodies as sacks of potatoes and carried them to Oswin's manor. It was up to Rose and Arno to retrieve the relics from the dead elves.

But before they could do anything else, the butler insisted that Ara see Oswin alone before addressing the rest of the party. The meeting was allowed, and Ara was allowed to bring the bodies with him. Upon meeting Oswin, they were surprised to find an oldish gnome behind the desk.


March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023

What's This? It's ̶Z̶u̶r̶i̶c̶k̶ Yukko With A Steel Chair!!

Presh Manor
As Zurick emerged from the shadows, his form shifted into that of a male TIefling. Ara couldn't help but think he looked like he just walked out of a tiefling fashion magazine. Those green horns were definitely a statement piece. And that armor? It looked like it belonged in a museum. The strange Tiefling introduced himself as Lord Yukko, and divulged everything the party had done for the past 2 days.

Slightly startled the new information, Oswin kept his cool and reconsidered his options. He was clearly a man who knew how to make a deal. He had connections, he had charm, and he had a snazzy magic table. Ara couldn't help but wonder if he was compensating for something. 

Negotiations began.

And then came the hourglass artifact. Ara couldn't help but think it looked like something straight out of a cheesy fantasy movie. He half expected it to start glowing and blasting out special effects.

As the negotiation got more tense, He couldn't help but feel like he was in an episode of a really bad soap opera. Threats were being made left and right, and he half expected someone to slap someone else dramatically.

And then came the moment of truth. The hourglass was flipped, and it was time for Ara to speak. He had one minute, and he knew he had to make it count. He opened his mouth to speak, and the hourglass started glowing. Great. Just what they needed. A judgmental timekeeper.

After some melodramatic conversations where threats were being made to one another's families, they sorta managed to come to a consensus. Ara's team were to help take down the Valdore clan, and Oswin revives the 2 dead heirs, and dissolves the loan agreement between the houses. Worse deals have been struck I suppose.

As they left the room, Ara couldn't help but feel like they had just made a deal with the devil. But hey, at least they got what they wanted. And Oswin promised to keep Ara's friend safe. As long as he didn't get on Oswin's bad side. Which seemed to be a very easy thing to do.

As he left to get treated, Ara found Zurick snoozing away peacefully. After waking him up, Zurick mentions that the last thing he remembers was being flushed down the toilet by a weirdly buff rat.
March 30th, 2023 April 3rd, 2023

Red Are You Okay? Are You Okay Red?

Presh

The party made their way back to the manor, where they found Red looking worse for wear. A spiky thing was blocking the entrance to her room, and they could hear a low hum of her voice coming from behind the door. She was whispering frantically, her words barely audible. As they approached, she suddenly stopped, sensing their presence. Red needed a minute to compose herself, and they gave her the time she needed.

The Ethereometer beeps at Alberus, as the updated software could beep automatically when extra planar energy was detected. Red finally emerged from her room, greeting the team with a smile. She had cast speak with plants, and now weeds were creeping into the house, forming a fort around her. She muttered to them and chatted with them, instructing them on what to do next.


March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023

Preparations Begin...

Presh
After taking a one-day break to rest up, Ara went to see Star, seeking information about the Valdore clan versus the Oswin clan. He was curious as to why the Oswin clan was working for their rivals. According to Starr, it was always good to have allies and connections. Ara also wanted to know how hard it would be to take down the Valdore clan. It would be difficult if they were prepared, but Starr knew where they put their coffins. With proper preparations beforehand, they would have a fair shot.

The party needed to attend an auction, but weapons were not allowed. They had to find a way to get around this rule. Elaine Valdore had strong commanders under her, namely Hanz Valdore and Franz Valdore. They needed to be careful. Vampires were weak to running water and sunlight, so they had to use that to their advantage.

The team decided to use a sending spell to get help from Fedex. They needed to make sure they were prepared for anything that might come their way. It was going to be a tough battle, but they were determined to come out on top.
At night, Henk re-entered the second memory door he had acquired. This door was different than the last; it felt unfinished - like a rushed theatre production of Herg and Deus. Herg’s lines were the least coherent, and Deus’ words felt out of place, but Henk managed to remember bits and pieces.

Meanwhile, Peregrin sat at a nearby table, deep in thought as he brainstormed a new plan that was sure to succeed.

Zurick had gone to see Lord Eucleaus, and was informed that there was a competition at the upcoming auction. It would test wits, knowledge, and everything in between. If the party won, they would mention Eucleaus’ name, perhaps gaining them some influence.

March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023

But First, Some Side Quests...

Presh
Zurick returned with news of a fishing group that had refused to go out to sea. It was a job they could take, so Henk and Peregrin accompanied Zurick to the Dark Pleasures, a place where everything went, including quests. As they walked in, they couldn't help but notice the shingled roof, curling up like a Tiefling’s horn.

The Dark Pleasures was a place where the party could find a variety of things. Thori mentioned a top hostess who was on his mind, and who would grant a wish to anyone who could beat her at a series of challenges. No one knew what these challenges would be, as they were always different. A red female Dragonborn bartender was busy behind the bar, and it was good etiquette to buy a round before attempting the challenge.

Garnet, the top hostess of the establishment, invited Henk into a private room, where he was taken to compete with her in a test of knowledge. 
Red had an ailment, and the bone merchant knew what it was, but had no cure. He did have something that would slow it down, but would not cure it completely. Red had a small chance of exploding when the effect wore off, and if that were to happen, she wanted him to be there to see it.

Red took Winsor’s old room in the ARRC Kings, and the party continued on their quest, knowing that danger and adventure awaited them at every turn.


March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023

Ay Yo, Someone's Looking At Us Funny!

Presh

Oh boy, the ARRC Kings were everywhere at the auction. Their presence was so widespread that it felt like they were the ones running the show. I mean, who needs a bidding paddle when you have a bunch of burly dudes with leather jackets giving you the stink eye?

The party was on edge, and rightfully so. One wrong move, and they could end up as the next exhibit in the local dungeon museum. Fate and Sentinel's boss, Thordris Greybeard, was probably enjoying all of this from his fancy throne made out of dragon bones.

But the real adventure began when they made their way to the Obsidian Grinder, a seedy tavern known for its underground dealings. I don't know what kind of coffee they were serving, but it must have been some strong stuff to keep these folks going.

As they left, Red's sharp eye caught sight of someone watching them. Maybe it was just a fan of their work, or maybe it was the tax collector trying to get his share of the loot.

The group turned towards the Spotted Kobold, a rundown tavern known for its secrecy. This place was so sketchy that even the rats wore bandanas.

As they entered, Red spotted a man in a long trench coat watching the entrance. Was he a spy? An assassin? Or just someone looking for a good happy hour deal?

Ara noticed the man turning invisible and quickly followed Peregrine, who distracted Roger the tracker while the rest of the group slipped away. It's like a game of "hide and seek," except instead of a cookie, you get a knife in the back.

Ara had her own agenda, and it led her to House Creu. Lord Oswin had been talking about her incessantly, probably because he wanted her to water his plants or something. But it was his daughter Asek who caught Ara's attention. Finally, someone who could make sense of all these cryptic prophecies.


House Creu came from a long line of sages and seers, but their powers had been growing weaker. Maybe they should switch to a better internet provider, or invest in some crystals or something. Asek was the only one gifted with foresight in her generation, and the other houses were relying on her predictions. No pressure, kid.


The party knew they had to tread carefully, but Lord Creu had a request. Asek had been feeling down lately, and perhaps Ara could help figure out what was going on. Maybe she just needed a good therapist, or maybe a vacation to a tropical island. The party knew that House Creu maintained neutrality, but they were willing to take the risk. After all, what's life without a little danger?

March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023

Like A House Of Cards

Presh
Asek looked like she had been dragged through a hedge backwards - twice. She was more tired than a marathon runner at the finish line.

So Ara decided to take matters into her own hands and smuggle Asek out of there. He gave her an invisibility potion, because nothing screams "relaxation" like being invisible. They went to the slums, which was probably the most peaceful place in the whole city - if you don't count the occasional mugging or outbreak of disease.

But as they dug deeper into the mystery, things started to get crazy. The stakes were higher than a high-wire act, and the party was in over their heads. It's like they went from playing hide-and-seek to playing Russian roulette.

They arrived at the Obsidian Grinder prison, ready to break out their comrades. But Tukklin was gone, like a ghost in the wind. And I don't know about you, but "burn the witch" doesn't sound like the guards were baking cookies down there.

Dorian led them to the basement, which was probably the most disgusting place in the universe. It was like a dumpster fire in a dumpster fire. But they were on a mission, so they sifted through the garbage like they were searching for the Holy Grail. Unfortunately, all they found was an empty treasure chest. Talk about a letdown. Meanwhile, Ara was being targeted by pranks. It's like he was the new kid in school.  But he wasn't deterred, because he had a mission. And that mission led him to a huge tube in the room, which turned out to be a slide.

I guess even the kids need to blow off some steam every now and then.
The party had more on their to-do list than a busy mom on a Monday morning. They had to buy weapons, smuggle them to the prison, check on their friends, deal with some creepy warforged bodies, and talk to a Lord who probably had more titles than a Shakespeare play.

And if that wasn't enough, they also had to figure out Fate and Sentinel. Like, seriously? They might as well have added "find a needle in a haystack" to their list.

Ara sent a message to her sister, hoping for some backup. But as it turns out, she was busy with her own problems. It's like everyone has a life, or something.

So the party had to rely on their own brains and brawn to get through this mess. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? They were probably better off putting their fate in the hands of a Magic 8-Ball.
March 30th, 2023 March 30th, 2023