Citadel's Shadow II, Session 84

Citadel's Shadow II, Session 84 was a session of the Citadel's Shadow II campaign, played on 13 July 2020 (UTC) (12 July 2020 for some participants). This account also includes a short session from 12 July 2020 (UTC) (11 July 2020 for some participants) and some portions of of a session from 20 July 2020 (UTC) (19 July 2020 for some participants). In addition, a portion of this session is posted with the previous session, and some with the next session. This is done to keep the timeline in game-world chronological order on the wiki.
== Personnel ==
===Game Master===
*GM: played by Michael Lee Viviano
===Player Characters===
*Fern the Siegemaster: inventive fox-person student played by Rail Runner
*Juan Silvio-Vagle: human guard and demon dust maker played by Alden Loveshade
*Minigallith Atakares: half-elf mage played by Alden Loveshade
*Ragnar Rockbeard: human (?) male fighter played by Rail Runner
=== Prominent Non-Player Characters ===
*Audrea Daleos: freewheeling human mage
*Eri Snow: fox-person entertainer
*Jinxi: human androgynous jester
*Katerina Smartcat: professor at St. Bassard's School and Home for Disadvantaged Youth
*Rajzhela Carnelian: student at St. Bassard's
*Yesenia Silvio-Vagle: demon dust maker and sister of Juan
== Events ==
=== 1742 ===
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Fern the Siegemaster, Minigallith Atakares, and Rajzhela Carnelian had heard Emperor Artemius VII give a short speeck in Alexander's Forum in Old Palace Ward of Trynser City.
Afterward, people in the crowd said, "Oh gods!" and "Yeeeik!"  Rajzhela said, "Oh, hey look! Razda's set up a stand for the festival!"  Someone said, ""Are those... spider legs?"  Razda's Lharasian Eats featured Lharasian land lobster legs which some claimed were actually spider legs.  Miss Mini said she liked food at the Paper Grotto better, but liked the "six legs for the price of five" deal.
The trio watched Chad and Chuckie Zhing give a demonstration of offensive magic.  As was Miss Mini, they were members of the Shining Luck Mages' Guild.  While Fern thought the offensive spells were real, Mini knew them to be illusions.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200712)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Meanwhile, The Southern Cities' Armsmen's Charter had their own stage in Old Palace Ward of Trynser City.  Juan Silvio-Vagle, Clive Bustis, and others gave a self-defense demonstration.  Audrea Daleos, Eliza Boulavier, Eri Snow, Jinxi, and Yesenia Silvio-Vagle watched.
Clive then said, "Would anyone in the audience like to come up on stage and test themselves against our professional armsmen?"  A couple of people came up.  Typically, volunteers became the subject of a humorous spectacle.
Then Jinxi entered from stage right.  Jinxi said, "I will take you on!  You, you, and you!  I am the biggest and the baddest!  I am the howling chickadee! I am the ring-tailed bullroaring chipmunk! I am the biggest badass from here to the Habertius River!"  (The Habertius River was very nearby).  "I will demonstrate my prowess! Donkey punch!" (Jinxi made an awkward kick.)  "Falcon kick!" (Jinxi made an awkward punch.)  Many people, Clive and other armsmen included, laughed; Juan did not.
Juan said to others nearby, "I know this...person. Somebody else want to take this on? It's a chance to look good."
Jinxi said, "I will take on the next person to enter this stage!"  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Ragnar Rockbeard, a seemingly human male who was 256 cm (about 8 ft 4 1/2 in) tall, entered from stage right.  This was on a stage used by The Southern Cities' Armsmen's Charter in Old Palace Ward of Trynser City.  It had been suggested by the one who sold him his license as a armsman that he go on stage to advertise himself.  Ragnar, who was barefoot, threw a crate of rocks most people could not even lift.  When it landed, the crate made a very loud "thud."  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200711)  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Fern the Siegemaster, Minigallith Atakares, and Rajzhela Carnelian continued watching a show presented by Chad and Chuckie Zhing
The trio heard a "thud."  Rajzhela said, "I think that was just the meatheads over at the Armsmen's Charter throwing things around."  The group looked, and saw one apparently human man who was over a third taller than average.  (The man was Ragnar Rockbeard.)  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200712)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Ragnar Rockbeard had very recently come from Ryjsslmar by ship, and had just joined the the Southern Cities' Armsmen Charter.  During the ocean voyage to the city, the ship Frihet Drøm (Liberty Dream) had been attacked by a dragon which Ragnar helped fight off.
Ragnar sad, "So who am I fighting now?"  Jinxi looked Ragnar straight at the belt buckle, then spent several seconds looking all the way up to his face.  Ragnar said, "You?"  Jinxi prodded Juan, pointed at Ragnar, and tried to "escape."  Someone said, "Get him!"  The crowd roared with laughter.  Ragnar laughed too, and said, "That's a damn good joke."  Clive stopped Jinxi and said, "Now, now. I thought you were the ring-tailed bullroaring chipmunk!"  Jinxi turned to Ragnar and said, "Moo! That's all I got, let me go."  (Jinxi acted frightened, but was doing it for the laughs.)  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200711)  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Aflter looking for the cause of the neary "thud," Fern the Siegemaster, Minigallith Atakares, and Rajzhela Carnelian returned their attention to the magic demonstration by Chad and Chuckie Zhing.  Chad announced, "...The ultimate attack!  The Fountain of Fifty Fires!!!"  A soft, feminine voice behind Miss Mini said, "Hmm. Simply exquisite."  Mini, who was half-elf, turned and saw a gorgeous female half-elf with long, golden blonde hair. She seemed to be wearing about five square meters of shimmery sheer cloth with most of her body showing.  Her accent was Kastebani.  She was looking straight at Minigallith.
The show ended.  Miss Mini introduced herself and her companions; the half-elf introduced herself as Phazimella.  Mini said she didn't see many half-elves like herself, and invited Phazimella to join them, which she did.
Miss Mini asked if Phazimella was from Kasteban.  Phazimella said, "Indeed I am. I'm new to Trynser City. I'm curious to see how they do things in the southern cities."  The group talked about festivals.  It soon became obvious to Mini that the half-elf was flirting with her.  Mini said a greeting in accented High Kastebani, then a tiny little female head poked out from Phaz's cleavage.  She was Sixapharilla, a pixie.
Phazimella didn't think Sixapharilla understood Trynsern, nor could she speak; Mini greeted her in High Kastebani, and they shook hands.
The group then saw several large, muscular beasts about the size of elephants being led into the arena.  Phazimella recognized them as hinge-tailed bingbuffers.  Fern hadn't heard of them; Mini had heard, but hadn't seen one.
After a while, trumpets blared, announcing the beginning of the next show; the group decided to watch.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200712)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Jinxi said, "Hey, look!" pointing behind Ragnar.  "A pack of hinge-tailed bingbuffers!"  Jinxi turned to escape, then turned back the way pointed. "Whoa, seriously?"  Jinxi seemed surprised to actually see hinge-tailed bingbuffers.  A number of people looked, and Jinxi jumped off the stage and ran toward them, delighted.
Ragnar demonstrated his strength chopping wood with an axe, and the fighting demonstration concluded.  Audrea, Clive, Eliza, Eri, Jinxi, Juan, Ragnar, Yesenia, and others made introductions.
Ragnar, who was new to the city, needed a place to stay, and Audrea suggested Maisson Boulavier, where she was staying.  Eliza Boulavier, niece of Ethel Boulavier, proprietess of the Maisson Boulavier, said she didn't believe they could fit Ragnar in--literally.  Juan, who also stayed there, said the rooms were comfortable, but relatively small, and he though the beds were all shorter than Ragnar.  Ragaar said that was a common problem for him.  But Eliza said she thought she knew a place he could stay.
The group learned Ragnar was from Ryjssimar; Juan said he had lived in Millisymph which was south of there.
The group walked to the site for the next show.  Juan said, "Things have been pretty quiet around here lately, fortunately."  Ragnar said, "Would be good if it stayed that way."  Juan said, "Well, one thing, with all the military around, there's not likely to be any major problems now."  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Fern the Siegemaster, Minigallith Atakares, and Rajzhela Carnelian had been joined by the half-elf Phazimella, accompanied by the pixie Sixapharilla, both of whom they had just met.  They were at a demonstration at Old Palace Ward.  Phaz paid for Mini's admission to the demonstration.
Rajzhela spoke quietly to Fern, saying, "Ha ha, I get the feeling we're what they would call a 'fifth wheel.'"  Fern didn't understand the reference.  The group sat.  From right to left facing the arena was Rajzh, Fern, Mini, and Phaz (Sixapharilla still with her).  Phaz asked Mini what she did; Mini said, "I'm an assistant teacher at St. Bassard's School and Home for Disadvantaged Youth. Fern and Rajz are both students there."  Phaz said she was a courtesan, and asked what kind of magic Mini did.  Mini said she was a mind mage and had been raised in a temple of Leathane.  (Throughout, Mini filled in Sixapharilla by also speaking in High Kastebani).
Phaz asked if Mini could read her mind; Mini said not without permission, which Phaz gave.  Mini then knew Phaz was thinking of doing more than flirting.
Rajzhela saw and tried signaling Eri Snow and Jinxi; Jinxi waved back.  Then the fighting demonstration began.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200712)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Eri mentioned Fern, whom Jinxi saw in the crowd and yelled to and waved at.  They saw Rajzhela who was also waving and shouting, and also saw Fern and Minigallith.
Soon trumpets blasted, and the next show was ready to begin.  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): In the interior of Ralen's Arena, one half was filled with with water. It didn't usually hold water, but was filled all the way for naval demonstrations on the sea goddess Shurridashe's day.  At this festival, there were several boats on it.  On land, Mantian troops assembled to meet the "invasion."  Behind them were bingbuffers, with several boulders stacked up in in a row in front of them. The Emperor and his family sat in the Imperial box.  The family included Princess Alexandria, Prince Valen, older Princess Elizabeth and her husband and son and younger Princess Vanessa.  The Emperor gave a short speech about the capabilities of the Empire's loyal soldiers.
Minigallith was focused on Phazimella, whom she decided she definitely liked.  They touched hands, causing Sixapharilla to snicker.  Fern was focused on the construction and operation of the arena.
But people's attention went to the show.  The bingbuffers stood on their front legs. They all twisted themselves up like ropes! Their long flat tails (attached to their bodies with what looked like hinges) were held erect.  Each animal unravelled themselves to swat one of the boulders in front of them with their tail! The boulders went flying and hit the boats.  One of the boats sunk!  The soldiers in the sinking boat jumped into the water.
The bingbuffers did it again.  The other two boats almost made it to shore but were sunk. But all of the Delternan Marines waded to shore and were quickly organized as the Mantians tried to push them back.
A gateway opened up behind the bingbuffers and the Mantians! Phantom Force Four appeared.  The gateway ripped open wider and thousands of black winged shapes flew out!  The winged shapes flew all around and started flinging javelins in all directions at the soldiers and the audience!  People were screaming!  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200712)
Heris 44 (Lordsday) (Festival of Herix) (continued): Juan Silvio-Vagle started telling about how a bingbuffer had thrown a person as he had seen in Aborea.  But then he saw the flying creatures which looked like flying monkeys.  Eliza said, "They're attacking the audience!"  (Citadel's Shadow II adventure 20200719)
Category:Demon Gate