The Drunken Lantern

**The Drunken Lantern** is the eighteenth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The party makes a new friend, gathers some information and Yashani bare knuckle boxes.

## The Drunken Lantern

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
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* (mentioned at the end of the episode) Since we will be missing one of our players, Ian will be running his own one shot Flight of the Sky Train!

### **Part One**

The episode opened with RX as he looked downward to see who knocked on their door and his gaze landed on a newcomer in the form of a near 2" tall stuffed bunny, wearing a long leather coat and cowboy hat, with a double barrelled shotgun strapped to his back, a pistol in the belt on his chest and the word "Jellybean" stitched across his belly, who introduced himself as Jelly Bean. RX asked the "miniature humanoid" to state his business and Jelly Bean explained that he saw their group come into town and as he had difficulty getting to where he was going to hoped they would help him. RX stated that was very vague and Jelly Bean apologized as he was trying to get used to the place. Tabernacle asked who was at the door and RX merely replied a candy to the confusion of the group. Tabernacle just sighed and went to the door to get clarification when he encountered the stuffed rabbit. After some confusion, Tabernacle questioned if the guns they held were real, but Jelly Bean pointed out that he was a magical creature in a place that did not like magic, and after the surprise wore off from the talking "children's toy", asked if they could step inside. Killian whispered to Tabernacle that he saw no way danger could come from it and at worst they could easily punt him, but as Tabernacle pointed out the shotgun while RX simply picked Jelly Bean up. After a moment of discussion, the party allowed Jelly Bean inside to tell his story.

RX brought him inside and set him down at the central table they had been talking at. After introducing himself Jelly Bean explained that he needed their help, that he was in *Kra'Kash* before the fires and was now looking for the ones who burned it down. He told the group that as he was a magical creature in this land, he spotted RX and hoped he could help him as they both came from *Vayilcor*. Jelly Bean added that was a technomancer there, from the forth generation and RX soon asked what technomancers were. Jelly Bean explained that technomancers specialized in bringing sentience to objects into other beings and also noted that he worked in the *Clockwork Castle.* He went on to add that he was not quite the same and was basically a portion of a soul, that he lost his body in the fires of *Kra'Kash*, along with his daughter and was determined to find who started the fires. Tabernacle asked if the party could be allowed to talk amongst themselves for a moment and Jelly Bean agreed.

The group huddled around Seren who was still sitting as he was still tired from climbing the stairs to their room. Yashani pointed out that they knew who burned the city, but Killian pointed out they didn't want to find Kalistock or the other two or to send someone they barely knew who succeeded in killing a couple of them. Killian noted they didn't know who he was, which led to a brief discussion as to whether Jelly Bean was his given name and RX turned around to ask if he had any other names and Jelly Bean replied that it was the only name he remembered.

RX turned back to the group and Tabernacle admitted he doesn't know what to do about this. Seren stood up and approached Jelly Bean with a friendly hello and asked why Jelly Bean wanted to find the person who burned *Kra'Kash*. Jelly Bean explained that when his soul was brought into the stuffed rabbit he was given an objective, which was to find the individual and put them down. Killian tried to point out that he was only a stuffed rabbit and Jelly Bean noted that he worked with what he had and that he and "Betty Lou", as he pulled out his shotgun, had an objective and would see it through. Seren told Jelly Bean that the one he seeked was Kalistock Hyghmire, but they has no intention of seeking him out at the moment. Tabernacle added that before they elaborated more they had a couple of questions and which Jelly Bean agreed to noting that they were his his last option.

Tabernacle asked if they were his last option how he found out about them or their connection and he replied that he had been watching them since they arrived because he had stayed near the docks since *Krapjess* was one of the last stops before *Vayilcor*. He added that he needed their help because most everyone else in the Empire was more inclined to kick him or throw knives, but when he saw RX he hoped RX would know how to get to *Vayilcor* and if he got there he could find the individual and get his revenge. Yashani pointed out that *The Misty Moon* was going to *Vayilcor* and they had friends aboard that would be willing to take Jelly Bean with them.

Quincy soon returned after her private talk with Flamecannon, wearing a new hat, a stylish pirate captain's hat, and entered the room as Seren introduces Jelly Bean who tipped his hat her way. Quincy tipped her hat back before she asked Seren what Jelly Bean was, why it had a shotgun, and was immediately spooked a bit when Jelly Bean spoke up and greeted her. The group laid down some more information for Quincy before they explained Jelly Bean's situation in full. After hearing that Quincy offered the help of *The Misty Moon* before noting she had information to share, but was is still trying to process the stuffed rabbit. Quincy commented that she used to have a stuffed rabbit that was similar and Jelly Bean told her that he could understand, as to the best of of what he knew, the stuffed rabbit used to belong to his daughter and the only thing left to transfer his soul to. When Quincy apologized for his loss he admitted he didn't remember everything, but knew he loved her and he intended to get his revenge. Tabernacle said that he might feel good for a time if they sent Jelly Bean on his way to *Vayilcor,* but noted that the devilish trio wiped the floor with them on multiple occasions. Jelly Bean insisted that he had to try, at least against Kalistock for setting the fires. The group agreed that they could at least escort him to *The Misty Moon* which he appreciated. Seren asked Jelly Bean who else he had talked to and he recounted an experience with some mean children and being chased around by a halfling, specifically the one who worked for Gabri at *The Barge*,

Tabernacle remembered that he had information from when he was spying as a fart cloud and Jelly Bean commented that he was glad he couldn't smell anymore because he was there to witness that and it didn't look pleasant. Tabernacle waved it off, but said that Jelly Bean should be involved in their discussion because he might be helpful if he knew something they didn't before they send him off and added that they could maybe even just give whatever information to a man who had also recieved a second chance at life, while Quincy stated they had already established Jelly Bean was a stuffed animal was looking around confusedly. Seren tapped his staff on the ground and cast *Sending* to contact Kylan and informed him that they might have a potential additional traveller for them and to request he send word if their departure plan changed and Kylan responded in agreement to do so. Seren informed Quincy of his conversation with him, then commented they would equip Jelly Bean with the best of their knowledge before they sent him off. Tabernacle added that Jelly Bean would have a friend on the ship and in *Vayilcor* in Aarcanii, who was also a strange individual who could help him and Jelly Bean looked forward to having a friend.

Seren redirected the conversation to Quincy and the information they gathered as well as complimenting their new hat, which she thanked him for noted that she was now indoors and took it off. Quincy began to recount their talk with Flamecannon, before she paused and looked between Jelly Bean, Tabernacle and Seren and stating that some things were better left to discuss later. Quincy told the group about Flamecannon's concern about *The Shipyards* at night and explained there had been disappearances at night and Quincy believed it to be the work of sirens. Seren looked to Jelly Bean for more information, but Jelly Bean admitted he had only been in the city for a few days, pretty much after *Kra'Kash* burned down and found a ride on one of the ships there. Yashani asked what other ships made it to *Krapjess* from *Kra'Kash* which Jelly Bean could identify as *The* *Hammervein* and *The* *Firesong* which Quincy hoped were able to bring more civilians to safety. Killian pointed out that if Quincy's crew intends to leave in the morning then they should be warned of the dangers that come at night before night came, which she agreed to. Quincy added that Flamecannon mentioned the problem was big enough problem that the economy has been impacted and that if they solved it might allow the party some leverage to get a few things, possibly even a small ship. The prospect of a ship was exciting to some and the party started to discuss strategies against sirens like wax in their ears and the use of a *Silence* or *Blindness/Deafness* spell before wondering if Jelly Bean could swim without becoming waterlogged and sinking.

Tabernacle discussed going to buy a few things before they hunted down the sirens, seeing as it was only the 20th hour of the day there was plenty of time before nightfall. Killian asked Quincy if *The* *Misty Moon* might be able to stay a little longer for a siren hunt and while Quincy thought they might be able to, the burning of *Kra'Kash* put a real wrinkle in their business and needed to get to *Vayilcor* soon. Yashani pointed out that the disappearances were happening at *The Shipyards* which shouldn't require going out into open water, but they were a large place divided into 10 sections with each section being over a 1000 square feet, each section corresponding to a different stage of construction of the ships being built. The group decided gathering information to narrow the search would be necessary and Tabernacle suggested they split volunteering Killian to go with him to buy wax and pig bladders, while he refused to explain more than to say they would be useful in a siren fight. Quincy mentioned she had some errands and she would like to run in the market as well.

Tabernacle noted that before they do that task that he had information from when he was a fart cloud to share. He explains that the fires in *Kra'Kash* had unsettled the entire Empire, that they were unaware of the trio and them, that they were looking for someone to blame and that they may be looking to pin it on Pathu. He added that the fire also killed Merchant King Quolong, that a man named Vaultanis had taken his position and Vaultanis's son had taken up international trade relations in his stead, which seemed to startle Quincy. Seren asked if she was alright and she admitted that she and Vaultanis didn't have a good history, but Seren could tell there was more to this and that she looked like a scared, caged animal. Seren asked if this had anything to do with *The* *Misty Moon* and if they should warn them, and when Quincy said that was a good idea Seren suggested they head there now. Tabernacle reminded everyone that he had recently learned his daughter was 15, was out there somewhere and he intended to live long enough to make things right by her, that he intended to kill the devilish trio and offered that anyone who did not intend to see that through should leave. Seren approached Quincy, laid a hand on her shoulder and assured her they would deal with this together, while Yashani said that it was unlikely anyone could leave. She also pointed out that she didn't see Tabernacle as the ultimate judge of morality and that if Vicar Espex was right, then one of the devilish trio was upstanding once, and while not everyone is redeemable she didn't agree to murder but to prevent further destruction. Seren pointed out that they had already destroyed a city and to prevent further actions a pacifist stance may not be the best approach, which was a lot coming from him.

Tabernacle asked for the opinions of those who had not spoken and Killian said their top priority should be to protect Quincy's family and warn them about the sirens. The group agreed and began to head out when Jelly Bean pointed out that it might be best if they found a way to transport him without it being obvious that he is sentient. RX asked if he would like to be carried and on being told yes, picked Jelly Bean up. Tabernacle reiterated that were are making the decision to continue together and that there should be no more secrets and admitted he would rather see another ship sink before letting another one of them get killed by a "strange, overly horny dark elf". As they left, they discussed their needs from the market, but before they actually split up Quincy suggested they sticking together and head to *The* *Misty Moon* before they branched off from there, were some would go to the docks to gather information and others to the market to run errands. As they left the *Drunken Lantern*, Flamecannon called out to remind them that bare knuckle boxing was in a few hours, and the party discussed whether or not they should do that if they planned on hunting sirens as well, but decided that bare knuckle boxing wouldn't go too late into the night and they could go find the sirens during the graveyard shift.

*Night Port*, where the *Drunken Lantern* was, was only a quick jaunt from the docks where *The Misty Moon* is docked. As they approached they recognized Damen leaning against the baulstrade looking bored out over the city as he was not allowed off the ship after he caused some serious trouble in *Krapjess* in the past. He greeted the group and Quincy asked if Kylan was around as she needed to talk with him, but Damen said he was still out with Nickels or out with some people he knew in town. Tabernacle pointed out that Kylan mentioned he would go to the bare knuckle boxing so they could talk to him during the match and before they headed out to hunt the sirens. Yashani pointed out she would like to know more about the champion before she fought as she didn't like to go in ill-prepared. Quincy then asked if Kerrack was there and Damen said he was usually downstairs or in the Mess. Quincy excused themselves from the group to go talk to him.

Quincy found Kerrack mending a piece of sail when she arrived. Kerrack questioned teasingly that she was back after saying goodbye and she told him to piss off as she checked that they were alone. She told Kerrack that the fires in *Kra'Kash* killed one of the Merchant Kings and that Vaultanis had taken their place, which Kerrack did not seem pleased to hear. Quincy commented that their problem was now a catastrophe and Kerrack stayed quiet for a while. He eventually said they would need to adjust their course to *Vayilcor* and the ship may undergo aesthetic changes, but he couldn't do much until they talked to Kylan. Quincy wondered aloud if 10 years means that maybe its fine, but Kerrack laughed and Quincy desperately told him not to laugh and that it was a problem. Kerrack stood up, pulled her into a big hug and told her they would get through this, that the name may change but they would be fine and teasingly added "I think" while he wiggled the stumps of his missing fingers. Quincy rolled her eyes and said if they changed the name of the ship then her shoulder tattoo would be irrelevant and Kerrack waved her off saying the name would change, but the figurehead would stay the same as it took forever for him to carve. Kerrack noted he wasn't sure how this was a problem until they were caught and Quincy pointed out that the *The Misty* *Moon* was docked right next to the *Sapphire Star* in *Kra'Kash* and the two argued momentarily about it before Kerrack stormed off and onto the deck where the party saw him cursing to himself until he made it to the Mess.

Quincy returned more calmly and when RX asked if it went well she said it did what it needed to do. The party then discussed who was going to market versus staying at the docks to learn more about the siren problem and Tabernacle passed his shopping list of things he needs being wax, six pig bladders and a burlap sack for each bladder, as well as five gold to Killian. Seren then told Damen that there had been an issue with sirens recently so the crew could take the necessary precautions. Damen seemed disturbed by the news and vocalised that sirens didn't typically come this close to civilization. Yashani wondered if there was something pushing them away and Alaerith noted that if they weren't in their usual locations then their resources must be low and were desperate to feed. Killian that maybe the cause was the lack of ships in open water, while Tabernacle suggested competition from the sea monster he had encountered had been taking more of the resources and other creatures were being forced to look to survive elsewhere.

Killian and Quincy decided they would go to *The Barge* while Tabernacle suggested he and Yashani go for reconnaissance. Seren asked what they are doing reconnaissance for, the champion or the docks and Yashani said the docks would take more precedence, but Seren suggested he and Alaerith to do that leaving Yashani and Tabernacle to do as they want. Quincy asked RX what he planned to do and RX answered he was programmed with many fighting styles and that he may be more useful with Tabernacle and Yashani. Quincy asked if Jelly Bean was alright with that, as RX had taken to petting the stuffed rabbit, but Jelly Bean replied he was happy to stick with RX and even admitted he enjoyed being pet. Tabernacle noted he had a scheme to put Jelly Bean somewhere to listen in and come back with information and Jelly Bean answered he was "all ears".

Yashani, Tabernacle, RX and Jelly Bean headed back to the *Drunken Lantern* to talk to Flamecannon, in hopes that he might give the name of the champion, though Yashani pointed out that he wasn't likely to give them insider knowledge. Tabernacle agreed and said instead they could talk to bar patrons, try to get information from them and possibly learn his name and where he was usually so Jelly Bean could do some reconnaissance for them. Yashani asked if Tabernacle though she would only win through dishonesty and Tabernacle quickly amended that she will do great, but it was never bad to try and get the upperhand, pointing out that a sentient bunny talking to him would throw him off his game. Tabernacle also offered to summon one of his ghosts and literally haunt the champion as they entered the *Drunken Lantern*.

The scene then switched to Seren and Alaerith who walked the docks. When Seren noted that it was getting chilly, Alaerith pulled off the loaner coat he was given by Jesper, cast *Prestidigitation* on it to warm it before he gave it to Seren, who gratefully accepted the coat and rubbed it over the exposed scales, while Alaerith cast *Prestidigitation* on his cloak and wrapped it tight around him. As they walked along they found the long wooden walkway that leads to *The Shipyard* where workers were carrying things like lumber and iron between construction projects. When Seren asked who should take point, Alaerith offered to do so and Seren cast *Guidance* on him. Alaerith approaches a worker who seemed surprised to see a sea elf, Alaerith admitted they could be a rarity and proceeded to ask about the siren problem and if the worker knows anything. The worker stated that two months ago a few people from the night shift seemed like they saw something, walked off and weren't seen again until the next morning when they saw a leg floating in the water. He noted that it was assumed to be accidents and they kept working at night for a while, but the disappearances and appearances of body parts kept happening until no one was willing to work at night anymore. He also mentioned that some people had tried to deal with it, but they didn't come back and no longer wished to go out and were now just in the day shift which affected their wages. Alaerith asked if he knew where the people went missing the most often and the worker said the furthest three sections where the mostly completed ships got their masts and were tested for leaks before being completed. The worker added that they seem to go missing further from the shore, but close enough to land that you could hear a scream, and when asked about the times the screams were heard, responded that it was usually around the 42nd or 43rd hour.

Alaerith inquired if anyone on the docks had actually seen them before and knew what they look like. The worker said he's seen one before, that they had light blue skin and were hauntingly attractive, at least until they opened their mouths and showed all of their teeth. He also added that the only ones working at night were the ones guys building hulls inside. Alaerith asked if there has been any sort of guard set up for those who did work at night and they replied that the guards just delegate themselves to not moving past the fourth to last section to stay within the light of the city and just out of reach of the siren's songs. Alaerith used *Ob's Charm* and asked Seren over the charm if there was anymore they needed to ask, but Seren who had not paying much attention and humming a song to himself, responded that he was good, which Alaerith took at face value. Alaerith asked if there was anyone else to ask about dealing with the sirens, but the worker stated he was a sailor not a fighter and that if anyone else was a fighter there wouldn't be a problem anymore. Seren cut in, apologized for being distracted saying he was busy, and asked if the worker might know how many sirens there were and the worker responded by assumed by the number of people going missing that there was a handful. Seren thanked him for his time and gave the worker a *Goodberry.* As they left Alaerith let out a breath, admitted he hadn't done that in a while and Seren assured him that talking to people could be difficult, and after a little confusion on their meeting place with the others, they headed back to the *Drunken Lantern*.

At *The Barge*, Killian asked Quincy about the shopping she had mentioned earlier, noting that Tabernacle's needs should be easy enough to find and could then do what she needed. Quincy, who obviously tried to avoid Killian's offer, noted she needed to go to the post office and suggested they meet back up after they do their own things. While Killian headed off on the unglamorous task of pig bladders and wax, with Quincy having sneakily slipped three gold into his pocket before he left, Quincy found a post office and was greeted by the shopkeep. Quincy pulled out her now filled journal and asked for a box to mail it in. The shopkeep handed the box over and Quincy gently packed it in before addressing the package to Nana, Hilya Underthorn. The shopkeep noted it was going to the city of *Rra'jaz* and quoted a price of two silver, but when Quincy offered a gold piece to ask it got there faster, the shopkeep assured her it would be very fast. Killian at the same time was getting splattered with pig's blood as the butcher slopped the bladders onto a counter. Killian asked for a a bag to carry them in and the butcher returned with a single large burlap bag and when he asked if there happens to be six more the butcher insisted he only had one and Killian settled. Killian then ran to Jesper the tailor for help possibly getting more bags for him and Jesper managed to have the big bag turned into several smaller bags and also told him the party's winter clothes would be done in a few hours. Killian then asks if he could leave the bladders in Jespers shop and was staunchly refused, but got a pair of leather gloves for his troubles to handle them.

Quincy and Killian soon meet back up, with Killian holding the pig's bladders while Quincy greeted him, told him the whole situation was gross and Killian insisted he knew while she laughs. Killian left the bladders and his overgarments in a pile in an alleyway and put up a sign that read "D*o not touch, performance art*" as he was fairly sure no one was going to steal them. With that in place, Killian looked to Quincy and she began to flounder and insisted that Killian was not allowed to laugh and threatened to punch him if he did. Quincy then asked what Killian might get Samara to show his affections and Killian, who caught on, noting that Samara and whoever Quincy was talking about were likely very different. Killian asked who they were talking about and Quincy admitted that it was Kaz. She added that she liked Kaz very much and had technically taken her on a date, but never did anything like that before and noted that Killian was married. Killian said chocolate, flowers and a nice letter was always nice, but maybe something in tune with Kaz's hobbies would be better. Quincy noted that Kaz liked to write poetry and Killian suggested calligrapher's tools. The two soon found a shop that sold as much and Quincy also grabbed a new journal before they headed back to the *Drunken Lantern*.

### **Break!**

Meet Kyle's dog, Vash the Stampede who is a three year old, 125 pound great dane! Now on to our usual stuff

* New month, new charity! Cancer is a pervasive part of life for many people and this month we would like to point towards the organizations that go to research cancer and help those who suffer from it. Pick a charity or cause close to you and support their work!
* The ABSQ Wiki! You made it here already, good job!
	+ With Kyle as our special guest, a special shout out special mention to check out The Spectral Index that he was a part of!
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* Meet out friend Kyle from Tasty Doom Podcast! A friend from the TTRPG twitter sphere and our first ever guest PC!

### **Part Two**

The party reconvened at the *Drunken Lantern*, having taken a table to themselves in the bar. Tabernacle leant into the group to explain that they could either find out who the champion was or they could all bestow some help from Yashani like a magical blessing from Seren or occasional heckle from Tabernacle to the champion from the side of the ring. RX cut in to ask if instead of asking around for information on the champion, that he might just fight the champion first, so Yashani could see how he fought before she stepped into the ring. Killian pointed out that RX would be like hitting a metal wall and might tire the champion out, even if RX threw the fight to lose, which could also bolster their bets. Yashani countered that assumed she would fight him right after which would not be an even playing field. Tabernacle said that having RX on the board would still let them spread their bets across RX and Yashani to win more money. In the end, Tabernacle then offered to spook the champion to throw him off his game.

Tabernacle took Jelly Bean from RX and started to look for where to find the champion's name, but Jelly Bean soon noticed a mean looking individual, with his shirt looking as though it might rip at any moment wrapping his knuckles in white linen, along the edge of the sand pit leaning against the wall. Jelly Bean pointed out the man to Tabernacle and told him he thought Tabernacle could take him. Tabernacle insisted the man would wipe the floor with him since Tabernacle can't exactly shoot him, but Jelly Bean proposed Tabernacle turn back into the fart cloud and suffocate him. Tabernacle noted that the context hadn't been explained to him, and pointed out they weren't trying to kill the man, just to throw him off his game to fight Yashani later. Tabernacle said he had an idea, but he needed to get the champion alone and in his room. Tabernacle asked Jelly Bean to get the room ledger so that he could get his name which he agreed to. Tabernacle casually leant over the bar, stealthily scooted Jelly Bean to the opposite edge until he fell over and when Jelly Bean hits the ground he went perfectly still as Flamecannon paused in wiping the bar further down the way, but didn't seem to notice what was going on.

Jelly Bean looked around behind the counter and soon quickly spotted a large leatherbound book that he recognized as the ledger near a rack of several keys. Meanwhile, Tabernacle tried his hand at distraction and asked Flamecannon for a glass of red wine while being purposely picky about what he wanted, which successfully moved him further away from where Jelly Bean is. With the successful distraction Jelly Bean managed to swipe the ledger, which was nearly as big as him, and nine of the 10 remaining keys at random before he ran out the open side of the bar and back to the party, but was not too stealthy about it though Flamecannon didn't seem to notice. Tabernacle thanked Flamecannon for the glass of wine he settled on while Seren questioned Jelly Bean as to why he had the ledger. Jelly Bean replied that he and Tabernacle had a plan and Seren was unsurprised to hear the plan was Tabernacle's. Tabernacle walked past towards the man leaning against the wall by the sand pit, pretended to be drunk as he approached and loudly proclaimed he was a big fan and asked for an autograph, but neither he nor the man have any paper to sign on. Tabernacle tried and failed to purposefully dump his wine onto the man who managed to catch him before he did, then offered him a quill and ink, moved part of his shirt, and had him scratch his name into Tabernacle's chest, taking a decent bit of damage as he did.

While that was going on, Seren asked Jelly Bean if he remembers which room keys had already been taken, but Jelly Bean admitted he took the keys on a whim, having hoped to get some sort of master key. Seren suggested they look at the book, under the table and out of sight of course, as Tabernacle returned to the table with the man's name in his chest, Aurthur Marks. Seren asked if he didn't have any paper and Tabernacle explained that he did on *The* *Misty Moon,* but it had gotten wet and he hadn't had time to get anymore. He noted that his chest hurt, but Seren apologized and told Tabernacle that he didn't heal stupid. Tabernacle said fair enough and Seren then whispered the name to Jelly Bean, who was hiding under Seren's chair where the cloak is keeping him mostly out of sight, and found was Arthur staying in room 204. Jelly Bean looked through the keys that he took, but quickly realized they were keys for all the vacant rooms. Seren asked Tabernacle if he had to remind him what happened the last time they stole something and Tabernacle insisted Jelly Bean would bring it back. Jelly Bean expressed his disappointment in the keys being useless and asked Tabernacle how they intended to return them and Tabernacle replied Flamecannon was usually drunk by the time the boxing rolls around so it shouldn't be hard.

Tabernacle explained his plan was to sneak into Arthur's room and spook him since, in his experience, bare knuckle boxing was all about mindset and if you were thrown off your game it was a disadvantage. Jelly Bean asked how they would do that and Tabernacle said he could send one of his dead crew members into the man's room, which he knew was a wild thing to say to a stranger, but Jelly Bean insisted that as a sentient stuffed rabbit he was no stranger to strange. As they talked on how they might get Arthur to his room, Jelly Bean and Tabernacle realized Arthur was no longer standing by the ring and Tabernacle didn't hesitate to grab Jelly Bean and headed upstairs. The rest of the party at the table remained as Yashani noted nothing good would come of this and Killian attempted to read over Quincy's shoulder as she wrote in her new journal which Quincy threatened to stab Killian if he did. RX noted that this seemed rather excessive and it would have been easier to just let him and Yashani fight, but Killian just shrugged and said to let them have their fun.

Tabernacle and Jelly Bean ran up the stairs, arrived at the top and soon saw Arthur down the hall way and walking to his room. Tabernacle offered to either throw Jelly Bean to latch onto his back to get a ride into the room or Tabernacle could try to hurl the stuffed rabbit through the open door and Jelly Bean insisted being thrown at his back would be spookier. Tabernacle offered to hold his shotgun and Jelly Bean pulls it out along with his pistol as well making Tabernacle question where Jelly Bean kept it all. Tabernacle then sent Jelly Bean through the air, who flew spread eagle until he made impact on Arthur's back. Tabernacle immediately cast *Invisibility* on himself as Jelly Bean held onto Arthur for a few moment and as he spun around to find out what was on him, Jelly Bean went limp on the floor and pretended to be a regular stuffed rabbit. As Arthur inspected the rabbit, Tabernacle stealthily headed for Arthurs door to wait for an opening to get inside. Arthur, confused as to where the stuffed rabbit came from, shrugged and turned to his room, pulled a key from his pocket and opened the door only so he could squeeze in as he watched the hallway sceptically.

Seeing that, Jelly Bean jumped into action and tries to rush into the room while looking like he was being moved by something, while Tabernacle cast *Summon Undead* to make Karina appear in his room, but forget that would will drop his *Invisibility*. As Jelly Bean launched towards Arthur's leg, Arthur lashed out with a kick that sent Jelly Bean across the hall and smacked him into the wall, then turned to his room and slammed the door. Not even a second later Arthur screamed, rushed out of his room and straight into the now visible Tabernacle. The force of Arthur's fear knocked them both to the ground, and in his panic punched Tabernacle in the face before he scrambled up to his feet and down the stairs. Tabernacle announced that he thought they did it, while the rest of the party saw Arthur rush down the stairs and ran to Flamecannon.

Back upstairs, Jelly Bean pulled out a knife, which Tabernacle questioned wondering where he had room to hold all these things, started carving into Arthur's door, some random symbol, at shin level, before Tabernacle started giving advice on what to carve as well. Downstairs, after Arthur had spoken with Flamecannon, started to make his way to the stairs and the party decided not to intervene, but Seren did warn Tabernacle over the *Ob's Charm* that he might not want to be there anymore. Hearing that upstairs, Tabernacle cast Invisibility on himself and Jelly Bean, then suggested they wait upstairs in the party's room for things to quiet down, but just as they turned invisible, Flamecannon appeared at the top of the stairs, searched the hallway, as the two remained very quiet, snuck past him and booked it. On the way Tabernacle suggested the idea to hide the ledger in their room. Back downstairs, RX and Yashani talked wrestling techniques, while Quincy actually pulled a dagger on Killian and told him to stop reading over her shoulder. Seren leant back in his chair closest to the fireplace and snoozed lightly, while Alaerith questioned what he had gotten himself into. Flamecannon soon returned downstairs gathered the discarded ledger and keys confused.

An hour later, after Tabernacle had rested, he and Jelly Bean returned to the group as the crowds start to make their way into the *Drunken Lantern* for bare knuckle boxing. Flamecannon eventually came up to their table and asked Yashani if she was ready to go and RX replied saying they both were. Flamecannon explained that RX couldn't participate as he was not fleshy and RX looks genuinely disappointed. Flamecannon apologized and explained that he technically didn't have bare knuckles and Quincy reassured him they would find a skeevier place to let him fight. Alaerith leaned in drunkenly to point out none of them were bears, seemingly confused by the "bare" portion of Flamecannon's comment. Seren took the moment to place a hand on Yashani's shoulder, told her good luck and cast *Enhance Ability : Bear's Endurance*. Tabernacle disappeared for a moment to find a quiet place to cast *Hex* on Arthur and gave him disadvantage on his strength checks, as Arthur saw a momentary flash of Karina in the corner of his eye. Killian pat Yashani as well, cast *Heroism* on her and gave her *Bardic Inspiration* as well. Seeing everyone else doing something, Alaerith drunkenly stepped up and cast *Prestidigitation* to make sure she looked clean and at her best.

Yashani herself had taken off her *Necrotic Wraps* that Masq made her and swapped them out for her original plain white ones she wore, to match the ones Arthur would be using. Seren then told Flamecannon he wanted to place a 30 gold bet on Yashani. Tabernacle pulled out his repackaged letter, muttered his wife will kill him for it, and handed over 120 gold. Flamecannon noted that that was a large pot on her and Quincy noted they had a lot of faith, then handed over Yashani's necessary 15 gold buy in to participate. Flamecannon asked for any other bets, RX pulled out 30 gold from including his own and the party fund, and Alaerith pulled out his remaining four gold which puts the total at 184 gold. Seren then pulled out the flawed sapphire they found in the spider dragon cave, offered it was as a bet and made the pot worth 700 gold. Yashani's face, hidden under her mask, had gone flushed with embarrassment to pale, seeing how much gold has been bet on her. Flamecannon took the money and said the odds were five : one, but Seren noted that it seemed as though Flamecannon was lying about something, specifically the odds, which he then pointed out to Quincy. Quincy called for Flamecannon's attention, asked if they were friends, which he agreed to and if friends protect friends from mistakes. Flamecannon replied they do, but that we also protect our interests and Quincy got the sense that Flamecannon won't outright screw them which was enough for her.

Flamecannon led Yashani to the ring, while Tabernacle got up to the ropes and told Arthur he sucked while he cast *Vicious Mockery* on him at the same time. Flamecannon took Yashani to the opposite side of the ring from Arthur and addresses the crowd as the party pushes to the front to watch. Flamecannon announced to the crowd that it had been a few days since they had a challenger for the champion, but they now had one and introduced Yashani which got the crowd excited. Flamecannon asked if they were ready and when they agreed, the fight began.

Yashani started with a relaxed stance, approached Arthur quickly with her palm outstretched and struck him in the center of his chest. Arthur staggered back as Yashani came in with her second attack and hit him on the opposite side of his chest as well. Yashani then activated *Flurry of Blows* and hits him twice more, kicking him once in the upper thigh and then hit his chest again as he faltered from the kick, which knocked him down to the ground and he turned his head to the side and spat out a glob of red saliva. Arthur then reached out to grab Yashani's ankle and yank her down, but Yashani quickly readjusted her weight onto her other foot and avoided being toppled. Arthur tried the move again, but Yashani stood firm. Yashani then kicked Arthur, cracking his nose with force as he let go of her ankle, missed with her second kick, then activated *Flurry of Blows* again and kicked him two more times which dropped Arthur to the ground and left him *Unconscious*.

The party immediately cheered, but Seren, Quincy, Yashani, RX and Killian noticed a murmur of displeasure amongst the crowd before boos started to ring out from them. Then from behind them a stool was thrown in Yashani's direction, which missed, but smashed against a nearby wall and the bar erupted into the sounds of fighting. Roll for initiative.

1. ↑ This is what is called a Geppettin, a homebrew race from *Valda's Spire of Secrets* which are most simply put - sentient stuffed animals and small toys
2. ↑ Tabernacle had cast *Gaseous Form* and turned him into a bad smelling brown mist in "Krapjess".
3. ↑ Two ships which had been at the docks of Kra'Kash along with the Misty Moon and the Sapphire Star
4. ↑ Haelley noted that this was the same journal that Tabernacle had seen in *The Burrow* and was halfway full at the time as seen in "A Few Things for the Road".
5. ↑ In the VOD, Seren says it is a peridot as Jon had thought that was something he had found along the way but fact checking happened after stream